Did you know that you can shave a couple of hundred dollars off your annual electricity bill by replacing fluorescent bulbs by LED lights?
Lighting your home takes up a big part of your electricity bills. However, the good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. Replacing fluorescent bulbs with LEDs can save you $200 annually (if not more).
Which begs the question: What is the most cost-effective way to switch from fluorescent to LED bulbs?
You can either change the existing fixtures so that they work for LEDs or completely replace the current fixtures.
That said, other options are also available. Factors like the existing fixtures and the location can influence your decision. In addition, your lighting needs and budget may also influence your choice.
Whatever choice you make, one thing is certain — LEDs offer many benefits. You will save on your energy costs and your light bulbs will last significantly much longer.
This blog post shows you 5 cost-effective ways to switch to LED and cut down your energy bills.
1. LED Retrofitting
One of the most cost-effective ways to switch to LED is by replacing current fluorescent tubes with LED retrofit tubes. However, be ready for some rewiring work. That’s because the ballast in the fixture needs to be bypassed, since you’ll be wiring the mains directly to the electric sockets.
Advantages of retrofitting
Since the ballast doesn’t use more than 10% of energy consumed by the fixture, this is an extremely energy saving process.
But that’s not the half of it.
This method also obviates ballast’s failures. Plus, you won’t have to deal with annoying flickering or dimness. Retrofit LED tubes are available in both standard models and high-efficiency models.
On top of all this, you get to enjoy more brightness. Replacing a 4-foot fixture having 4 fluorescent tubes with that many LED retrofit tubes can double the brightness.
Furthermore, your electricity usage will be far less. Compared to 172W used by fluorescent tubes for the 4 lamps and 4-foot fixture, standard LEDs consume roughly 80W.
What’s more, your electricity savings are likely to be significantly higher if you invest in high-efficiency models. For instance, two fluorescent lights can be replaced one ultra-high LED. This means the power consumption will drop to 40W from 128W, which is pretty impressive anyway you cut it.
Last but not the least, lamp life will be significantly prolonged. While the average life expectancy of fluorescent lamps is approximately 30,000 hours, an average LED lasts for 50,000 hours.
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Use Magnetic LED Strips
If hassle-free set up is a priority, you may want to use magnetic LED strips.
Advantages of Magnetic LED Strips
Since both the LED strips and the LED driver are magnetic, they easily fix to metal fixtures. This in turn obviates the need to wire power to sockets.
Simply attach the LED driver with a power source and then link it to LED strips with help of the quick connects included with the product. The old ballast is replaced by the driver and the bulbs by the LED strips.
Ultra-high LED strips produce greater brightness than Lumen LEDs mentioned above. Roughly 30W is used for 2 four-foot fixtures while 60W is consumed for 4 four-foot strips. Each strip produces 2100 lumens. You can purchase strips in one, two, three and four per set. For every set, you need only one driver.
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Use LED fixture to replace fluorescent fixture
You also have the option of replacing your current fluorescent fixture with LED tubes and fixture.
Advantages of an LED fixture
This method allows you to take full advantage of new features offered by the LED technology. This includes, among others, the following:
- Better color temperatures
- Better light levels
- More efficient light distribution
Also, you don’t require rewiring, other than what you need for replacing the fixture. Furthermore, the upgrade will automatically fix issues related to old fixtures or faded or yellowed lenses.
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Replace with LED panels
Ideal for drop ceilings and surface mounting, LED panels offer several advantages.
Advantages of LED panels
Looks pleasing and even, LED fixtures ensures the light is evenly spread. This in turn removes any dim spots. Plus, you get more brightness.
Also, did you know many LED panels come with a remote? This is a great option if you’re not sure about color temperature. At a press of a button, you can change the light levels and color temperature according to your requirement.
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Replace with linear LED fixtures
Slim and sleek, these fixtures can be easily suspended from wires or surface mounted.
Advantages of linear LED fixtures
Longer lamp life, higher brightness level, and protection from dust and water are some of the main advantages of these fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much can you save by switching to LED lights?
Actual savings vary from one house to another. With that said, an average household can cut down its annual energy expenditure by $200 by replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs.
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Do you need a special switch for LED lights?
It depends. Since LEDs are not always compatible with traditional switches, you may have to invest in a quality dimmer.
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Are LED lights cheaper to run than energy saving bulbs?
Yes, they are. The LEDs require considerably less wattage than incandescent bulbs or CFLs. As a result, they are significantly more energy efficient than these two.
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Are LED lights bad for your eyes?
Cheap, low-quality LED bulbs emit “blue light.” According to experts, this “blue light” can not only disturb natural sleep rhythms but also harm the retina. For this reason, you should always purchase high-quality LEDs — that is, CRI90+LED light bulbs.
At LiquidLEDs, we sell CRI90+ LEDs because we’ll never compromise your health.