Maybe it’s because people are afraid of change? Maybe people just don’t know how? Or, maybe people just don’t like saving money? For whatever reason, the “go green” movement is really not being taken on by everyone. When something as simple as changing a light bulb could save you hundreds on your electricity bills, you would think that more people would have jumped on this bandwagon by now. Well, here is your chance. All it takes is a small investment of time and money, and your home could reduce its carbon footprint over night!

Why are incandescent bulbs so bad?

Unless you have been living under a rock or ignoring the green movement all together, you have probable heard about CFL bulbs and LED bulbs. Both of these are alternative options to the traditional incandescent light bulb. The major problem with the old bulbs is that they are horribly inefficient. Bet you didn’t know that many incandescent bulbs are only 20% efficient with the electricity that they use. The other 80% is spent generating heat. During the summer months, that added heat could be a real crutch for your cooling system.

Also, the old standard bulbs have extremely short life-spans. A vibration or a bump could crack the filament, and even if the bulb remains intact it will burn out in about 700-1,000 hours. The reason why these bulbs remain so popular is because they are initially very low cost. Many people don’t consider the cost of replacing the bulbs or the costs associated with electricity usage. But, after a brief look at CFL and LED bulbs, you should be convinced to make the switch.

CFL Bulbs

CFL bulbs or compact florescent light bulbs where once considered the best option to replace incandescent lights. They are much more efficient, decrease CO2 emissions, last longer, and use 50-80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. However, with all of this said, these bulbs are not 100% the best options because they contain mercury. If you were to crack one of these bulbs in your home, you would have to open windows and evacuate the area for at least 15 minutes. Mercury is a highly toxic substance that humans should not be in contact with. Also, when CFL bulbs burn out, you should not just throw them in the garbage. They need to be disposed of properly at a collection center. When people throw them out, they are polluting out landfills with toxic waste. There is a much better option out there!

LED Bulbs

• Long Lifespan- These bulbs have the longest lifespan out of the three types. They last 10 times longer than CFLs and 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They also do not have a sensitive filament so they are not prone to breakage.
• Efficiency- These bulbs are around 80% efficient. 80% of the electricity they use is used to create light and the other 20% is lost in heat. It’s the other way around for incandescent lights.
• Expense- Although these bulbs cost significantly more, in the long run they cost significantly less. You will have to replace them much less often (some are even known to last 10 years without replacement!). They will also save you loads on your energy bills. These bulbs will get you the biggest bang for your buck!
• Impact on the environment- These bulbs are 2 times more energy efficient as CFL bulbs, and they do so without the use of mercury. They are safe to recycle or throw out, and if you somehow break one, there will be no fear of toxic exposure.

LED bulbs will give you the biggest return on your investment and have the best impact on your carbon footprint. Take the time to do your research and you will find led bulbs that can work for nearly and light fixture in your home. They also come in a variety of colors and shapes. Make this small investment now and you will have made a great impact on the condition of our environment.

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