Lowe’s believes switching to LED bulbs is a bright idea! And in recognition of ENERGY STAR Day – October 26 – and in partnership with GE Savant, Lowe’s recently surprised customers in over 400 stores with free ENERGY STAR LED bulbs to help reduce energy bills and encourage folks to make the switch. More than 80,000 customers received bulbs and they will quickly reap the benefit, and by switching to LED – you can, too.
After all, the lightbulbs are not only eco-friendly, they’re also the most cost-effective since they save users money. While the price of LED bulbs continues to dip, the up-front cost is often seen as an investment since they still cost more than CFL or incandescent bulbs. Is the switch worth it?
To find out, Lowe’s crunched the numbers for you. Whether you switch five of the most-used lights in your home or 20, the savings might surprise you.
LEDs Are Cost-Effective
LED lights currently run $8 or less for a bulb, versus a $2 for CFL and $1 for incandescent. What may not be as obvious in those price tags is you will have to return to the store 21 times, and pay $21, to get 25,000 hours of use with an incandescent bulb whereas you would only need one LED bulb for less than $8 to receive those same lighting benefits.
You’ll save even more when you factor in how much it cost to power them. Most people use five rooms in their homes regularly: bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and entryway. If you use the light in these rooms about four hours a day, switching to LED lights could save a family around $44 a year on their electric bill. Similarly, if that same family chose to replace 20 incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs throughout their home, the savings could be up to $3,260 over the bulbs’ 23-year lifespan, assuming utility rates don’t rise.
If those numbers aren’t enough savings to make the switch, consider this: to power those incandescent bulbs will cost $180 over their lifespan, assuming electricity costs at .12 per kilowatt hour, compared to only $30 for the LEDs.
LEDs Are Better For the Environment
Part of the reason for the substantial cost savings when it comes to using LED lights is because they require less energy from the grid, meaning they reduce demand from power plants and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
“Switching to LEDs is an easy way to save money while reducing your impact on the environment,” says Chris Cassell, director of corporate sustainability for Lowe’s.
No need to sacrifice the right type of lighting color to help create a certain ambiance in your room either, according to Cassell. “Be sure to check out the different color temperatures to get the best lighting for each room in the house,” Cassell recommends.
What to do with those CFL bulbs you plan to replace with LED lights? Lowe’s offers in-store recycling for CFL bulbs, as well as plastic plant pots, plastic bags, and rechargeable batteries. Most recycling centers are found near the customer service desk.
Need help choosing a light? ENERGY STAR can help! Click through these short questions to find the light that right for you.
