While fluorescent and incandescent lightbulbs may be widely popular in most households, the Department of Energy suggests that LED bulbs are a superior alternative for lighting. By installing LED bulbs in rooms with heavy use of lighting, households can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the lifetime of their bulbs.
Currently, lighting accounts for around 15% of the average electricity use in U.S. homes, with LEDs offering a more efficient alternative to incandescent lightbulbs. LED bulbs consume 90% less energy, which results in estimated savings of over $225 every year for the average household. LEDs also last 25 to 50 times longer than traditional light bulbs, resulting in households needing to replace them far less frequently. Data from the Department of Energy reported that in 2018 consumers saved $14.7 billion from adopting LEDs in their households. As LEDs continue to fall in price, these savings are expected to rise for consumers.
The U.S. Department of Energy has officially decided that the deadline for all American stores to no longer sell incandescent bulbs will be July 2023. Past this summer, no store will be able to sell traditional lightbulbs and will be forced to move towards energy-efficient choices like LEDs. Many households may be hesitant to transition to LEDs due to their higher up-front costs, yet over several years of usage, the savings produced by these bulbs greatly eclipses those of incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy
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