LED Lighting 101

Last month I mentioned converting to LED lighting as a simple way to improve your home’s “green quotient.” Today, I’ll take a more in-depth look at LEDs and what you need to consider when converting from incandescent or CFL to LED bulbs.

Why Convert to LED?

• Energy Savings – LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescents. CFLs only save between 25–35% over incandescents.
• No Mercury – CFLs contain elemental mercury, which is released when the bulb breaks. The small amount of mercury won’t hurt you (unless you decide to snort it or take to inhaling deeply over broken bulbs as a hobby). Neither LEDs nor incandescent bulbs contain mercury.^[1]
• Cooler to the Touch – LEDs produce heat differently than incandescents or CFLs, which makes them cooler to the touch and reduces the risk of overheating some enclosures and surroundings. You may find your space a bit cooler if you convert a lot of lights to LED.
• Long Lasting – LEDs last far longer than incandescents and CFLs. That’s good for the environment and, over the long haul, good for your budget.
• No Delay – Unlike CFLs, LEDs turn on to full brightness immediately.

What to Know About LEDs

Converting from incandescent or CFL to LED requires a little more thought than just going out and buying all new bulbs, but if you keep a few things in mind, it can be a fairly straightforward process.

• Price – Yes, LEDs are more expensive up front. They generally cost between about $10 and $40 per bulb, depending on size, power and other factors. But the longer lifespan and lower energy use can save you money in the long run. The Simple Dollar estimates the total operational cost over 23 years at $201 for incandescents, $48 for CFLs, and $38 for LEDs.
• Lumens vs. Watts – The energy efficiency (roughly equivalent to the brightness) of an LED is measured in lumens rather than watts, for reasons I won’t explain here. Manufacturers list the lumens-to-watts equivalency on the package. For planning purposes, RapidTables has a handy calculator.
• Color Temperature – Color temperature, measured in Kelvins, affects the way light appears in a room and interacts with brightness (lumens) to change the mood of a space. The lower the Kelvins, the warmer feeling the light will have. Manufacturers give their bulbs designations like “warm white” and “daylight” to give you an idea of how the bulb will perform. Think about what kind of light you like in a particular space and choose accordingly.
• Fitings – LEDs come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, but, as with other types of bulbs, not all LEDs are suitable for all spaces or fixtures. Make sure the bulb you select works with your fixture. (Take the old bulb with you for comparison, if necessary.)
• Recessed Lighting – Converting recessed lights to LEDs may require a retrofit. Depending on the existing fixture, you may only need to purchase a retrofit kit, or you may need replace the fitting entirely. For recessed spaces, make sure you select LEDs approved for them.
• Dimmers – Neither CFLs nor LEDs work with older dimmers designed for incandescents. If you want dimmable light, you’ll need to make sure your dimmer switches are rated for CFL and LED bulbs. You also need to purchase bulbs that are compatible with the dimmer switch you’re using.

Glossary

Footnote

^{1. CFLs actually reduce the overall amount of mercury in the environment because they use less energy than incandescents, thus reducing the need for coal-burning power plants (a significant source of mercury in the environment), but they still release it into landfill when they are discarded. LEDs reduce energy demand without adding mercury to landfill. ↩}