17 Reasons to Switch Over to LED Lighting

Whether you’ve been considering the switch over to LED lighting, or you haven’t been aware of LED lighting as an option, this post is going to hopefully open you up to the benefits and reasons you should start making the switch.

This post applies to the homeowner, the business owner, and all related in-between. Illumination with LED lighting, to sum it up, is cheaper to run, more efficient, and generally higher of quality when it comes to the actual light they produce. Now, let’s get into the actual reasons why you should seriously consider switching over!

1. LED bulbs last longer

Although the rated life of LED lights can vary dependent on multiple factors, the average life is around 50,000 hours. That number is staggering, and it’s one reason many people are making the switch to LEDs.

In comparison, incandescent light bulbs average life span is around 1,200 hours, while compact fluorescents are at around 8,000 hours. Just with these numbers alone, you can start to realize how much better an LED is compared to its competition. But wait, we are just getting started.

2. LED lights use less energy

Since LED lights are much more powerful and produce more light per watt, you don’t need to use the same wattage as you would with other types of lights. Thus, you can cut down wattage usage without cutting down on the amount of light you produce.

For example, a 100W incandescent light could be replaced by a 20W LED bulb, producing the same amount of light. Why would you want to use five times the energy for the same amount of light?

Tip: When comparing LED with other lights, never look at just the amount of watts they produce. Instead, look for the amount of “lumens” they produce. Lumens are the amount of light it gives off, so just find an LED with the same amount of lumens as your current light, and you will be all set!

Typically LED lights will produce far more lumens per watt, which is exactly the reason why they are so much more efficient.

3. Not affected by temperature

LED lights will keep on keeping on through the worst of the worst temperatures. Whether it is negative 10 degrees outside or 100, an LED light will keep working.

So if you live in a place, or situation, where the lights will be placed in extreme condition of temperature, having LED lighting is a must.

4. Light is instant

With some older technology lights, they can take a bit for them to fully brighten and turn on. With LED lights, they are producing at full capacity within milliseconds. No more waiting for your lights to warm up!

5. Gives off little heat

LED lights are incredibly great when it comes to not giving off a lot of heat. Of course, they do produce some heat, but not nearly as much as other lights.

6. No harmful liquids or gases

Unlike compact fluorescents (which contain mercury), LED lights contain no harmful liquids or gases in them.

When you break one of these toxic light bulbs (like a CFL), there is an entire process to safely cleaning up the mess. Why not stop all this trouble, and live a safer life with LEDs?

7. Cuts down on Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Want to be part of the green movement? LED lights produce far less carbon dioxide emissions than other light bulbs, which will surely put your mind at ease.

8. LED lights don’t flicker

Due to the nature of how LED lights work, they will never flicker. This can be a really annoying thing to have happen, and typically when it does occur we replace the bulb entirely. So with LED bulbs, you won’t have to replace them until they fully die out.

9. Available in different colors and shades

In the world of lighting, we call the different colors and shades of a light “color temperature.” Due to the robust nature of LED lights, you can choose from multiple color temperatures that best fit your needs.

10. It’s a huge money saver

Like I said before, LED lights consume way less energy for the same amount of lumens other lights use. Thus, you are going to save a lot on your energy bill every month.

How much exactly? Well, it all depends on which light bulbs you had before, and to which LED bulbs you moved over to.

Use this calculator to determine how much you will be saving when you make the switch. Almost guaranteed that it will be pretty significant, from there you will see how fast you will pay off the cost of making the switch.

11. Option to be dimmed

Some LED lights, not all, have the option to be dimmed. Of course, this will open up the opportunity to save you even more money on your electricity bill. Just make sure they have the option to dimmed, as not all of them have that option!

On top of that, who wouldn’t want to be able to dim their lights for the right mood?

12. The prices are dropping

It use to be that LED lights were just way too expensive that it didn’t make sense to switch. But those days are long gone, and although LED bulbs are still a tad more expensive, it is nothing like it use to be.

Nowadays, you will be able to recoup the extra money spent on your LED fixtures in about a year through savings in your energy bill, instead of ten years.

13. RoHS Compliant

LED lights are RoHS Compliant, better known as Lead-Free. While some other types of bulbs still contain toxic substances, like lead, LED bulbs do not. If you never considered LED lights as being a way to make your home or business safer, this is a great reason why it will help you achieve that.

14. Turn them on and off as much as you’d like

Unlike other lights, LED lights can be turned on and off as much as you’d like without shortening the life of them. Of course doing it over and over for fun is never recommended, it’s not going to hurt your LED bulbs like it will other bulbs.

15. No more frequent changing out dead bulbs

Ever feel like you are changing out your light bulbs quite often? Well, with LED bulbs you can stop going to the store every few months to get new bulbs, and only worry about having to switch them out every few years.

16. LEDs provide directional lighting

Unlike some lights which are omnidirectional and just use reflectors to point the light in the right direction, LEDs alone provide directional lighting

With that in mind, switching to LEDs require even less energy consumption due to less ‘wasted’ light. LEDs put light right where you need it, thus you won’t keep wasting money on light that isn’t doing you any good.

17. They are versatile

The industry is embracing the idea of LED lights at quite a fast pace. Because of their efficiency and long-lasting life, they are getting incorporated into a wider and wider range of products, from faucets and showerheads, to makeup vanity mirrors or planter pots.

Are there any reasons not to switch?

With all the previous reasons you should switch kept in mind, are there any reasons not to switch?

The purpose of this post is to provide the most accurate, and least bias, information on why LED lights may be a viable option.

So, what are some reasons, or cons, that switching to LED lighting may not be the best thing? Well, here are those things.

The really only major disadvantage of LED lights is this; LED lights are still a little more expensive than other lighting options. But when deciding whether or not to make the switch, you need to keep in mind the long term benefits.

So if you are truly cost cutting oriented for the long term, LED lights make sense.

Hopefully by now you’ve got a better idea of what LED lighting can do for you, why it is such an amazing option for lighting, and why the upfront cost is seriously worth it.

Whether you want to switch to save money, to be a part of the green movement and produce less CO2 emissions, or even want a higher quality light, LED lights are a step in the right direction.