The average homeowner spends more than $104 on their electric bill each month. That?s more than $1,200 a year!
The more you can lower your bill, the better. But what can you do?
Upgrading to energy efficient appliances is expensive. And adding more insulation to your walls and attic doesn?t always improve the house.
Luckily, you have another option: replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.
There are dozens of reasons to update your lights. But here are some of the top benefits of LED lighting to consider.
Lower Electricity Bills
Let?s be honest?you?re looking to save money any way you can. And the less you spend on your electric bill, the happier you?ll be.
LED lights will help lower your costs every month. The bulbs use a fraction of the electricity standard incandescent and halogen bulbs need.
And the less electricity you use, the lower your bills are.
Keep in mind that you?ll see the greatest benefits if you install LEDs throughout your house.
They Last?For Years!
The average incandescent bulb burns for about 1,200 hours. If you use lights for five hours a day, that means you?ll need to replace your bulbs every 240 days. But that?s assuming you use them that little.
If you?re the type of person who loves a well-lit space, you?ll go through traditional light bulbs faster.
LED bulbs have an average lifespan of more than 25,000 hours. Once you install it, you won?t have to think about changing light bulbs for several years!
As an added bonus, this means you?ll spend less on replacement bulbs over time. The fewer bulbs you have to buy, the less money you?ll spend.
The Bulbs Are Safe for the Environment
Believe it or not, LED bulbs are 100 percent recyclable. They contain no harsh chemicals like the ones found in fluorescent lights.
Once they burn out, just take them to your local hardware store or light center. They?ll be able to recycle the bulbs for you.
If you can?t and decide to dispose of them with your garbage, don?t worry. The bulbs will have minimal impact on the environment and won?t leech harsh chemicals into the water supply.
Just remember they can break inside the garbage can and could rip your trash bags.
No Waiting for the Light to Warm Up
Have you ever turned a fluorescent light on and noticed it barely lit the room for a few minutes? That?s because the bulb has to warm up before it reaches full capacity.
With LED bulbs, you don?t have to wait. As soon as you flip the switch, the bulb lights up.
They work just as easily as incandescent bulbs. But they do it without the costly electricity use.
Best of all, turning the lights on and off often won?t degrade the materials. This means you?ll get the full useful lifespan of the bulb even if your kids play with the switch.
They Work in Extreme Weather Conditions
Most light bulbs struggle to work in extreme weather. They?re not rated to provide light in freezing temperatures and can short out in the heat.
LED bulbs can handle extreme weather changes. This means during winter, your lights will work flawlessly and won?t freeze up. During summer, even in full-sun conditions, the lights will work without overheating.
No More Worries About Heat
Most light bulbs are relatively safe. But you still need to take precautions.
Incandescent and even some fluorescent bulbs produce heat when they?re on. If left on for several hours, the bulbs themselves produce enough heat to be a safety hazard.
Kids can burn themselves, dust starts to smoke, and the lights you love turn into fire hazards.
LED bulbs work without producing heat. This means they?re safe for the entire family. And you can use them anywhere without worrying about increasing your fire risk.
Offers Daylight-Like Clarity
Golden light is nice for making a room feel warm. But it?s not the most practical.
It distorts colors, casts shadows, and makes it harder to see in the space. LED bulbs change that. The bulbs produce clear and clean light that mimics natural sunlight.
When used in work areas like your home office or kitchen, the light makes it easier to see what you?re doing at all times.
The bulbs themselves create directional light, making it easy to maximize every watt of power. Instead of having to diffuse the light with a lampshade, you can position the bulb where it needs to go.
This gives you more light in areas where it?s needed and reduces the number of bulbs required to illuminate a room.
And don?t worry?if you like that soft yellow light, a tinted LED bulb will have the same effect.
Improves Resale Value
If you plan on selling your house in the near future, making minor home improvements can increase your resale value. And nothing helps more than making your house as eco-friendly as possible.
Installing LED bulbs throughout the property is a great place to start. Replace the inefficient bulbs in your indoor light fixtures. And make sure to install them in any outdoor or landscape lighting fixtures.
These little touches can help you market your house once it?s on the market. But there are a few other ways you can improve the property. To learn about those improvements, read more here.
See the Benefits of LED Lighting for Yourself
The best way to see the benefits of LED lighting is to replace a few bulbs around the house. You?ll start to notice the changes almost immediately.
And if you?re looking for extra ways to improve your house, there?s no shortage of options! Check out our latest posts for more tips to take your home to the next level.
On the Market for a New Home? 5 Key Things You Should Look for Before You Buy