July 16, 2015
In our previous post, we talked about how uninsulated hot water pipes could be costing you as much as $10-15 a year in energy bills and gave you a cheap, quick, and easy fix to the problem. In this edition, we'll discuss an energy saving solution that's on everyone's mind-- replacing incandescent light bulbs.
Incandescent light bulbs are a far more inefficient source of light than CFL or LED bulbs.They require 3-5 times the electricity of a CFL and 6-10 times as much as an LED bulb to produce the same amount of light. Replacing incandescent bulbs is an easy way to reduce your energy bill because of this reason.
But did you know there's another downside to incandescent bulbs? It has to do with the reason incandescent bulbs are so much more efficient than CFLs or LEDs. In an incandescent bulb, 90% of energy is converted to heat, and just 10% of the electricity used is converted to light. Just look what an incandescent bulb does to the chocolate bunny in this video!
During the hot summer months, all of that heat generated by incandescent bulbs means one thing: your air conditioner has to work harder, and you pay higher electric bills. Switching to LEDs or CFLs not only saves you on direct energy usage, but can cut your AC usage as well, saving you money both ways!
CFLs and LEDs last far longer than incandescent bulbs, with LEDs especially having life spans of 10-20 years! Despite their slightly higher upfront cost, their longer life spans and the energy savings that they provide make switching to CFL or LED bulbs a no-brainer to any homeowner. Find out what brands are best for you and start saving today. Not only can you save on electric bills, but unlike the chocolate bunny, you'll be cool as a cucumber this summer!
