Eight reasons why your business should switch to LED lightbulbs

When you think about lowering your business’s energy costs, what probably comes to mind is optimizing electricity procurement contracts and upgrading critical machinery. Certainly, those can be sources of significant changes, so they are worth exploring. But there’s another change that is quick to execute, effective immediately, and can still have a meaningful effect on your company’s energy bills. That change? Switching to light-emitting diode bulbs, more commonly known as LED lights.

Here are some reasons why LED bulbs are a better choice for your business:

1. Longer lasting

Because you can expect LED bulbs to last longer than other lighting options, you get more hours of light from each bulb purchase. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED lights can last three to five times as long as their compact fluorescent light (CFL) counterparts. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they can last as much as 30 times longer. You and your staff spend less time changing out bulbs, and you generate less waste by getting more life out of each bulb because it lasts longer.

2. Cooler running

If you hold your hand close to an incandescent bulb, you can feel the heat it generates. Compare that to an LED bulb, which produces almost no discernible heat. An incandescent bulb wastes 90% of its energy on heat. By comparison, eighty percent of a CFL’s energy is lost to heat.

If your business is lit by older bulbs, much of the energy you are paying for is going toward that heat rather than lighting your space. Because of that, you are likely paying for extra air conditioning in the summer to counteract your light bulb’s heating effect. Switching to LED lights means your lights do what you expect–provide light–without the unwanted additional result of heating your space. You are no longer wasting energy, and there is no excess heat generated.

3. More versatile

Incandescent bulbs and CFLs have several limitations. They can only provide light in one color. While their color can be adjusted by changing the color of the glass through which the light travels, the light they cast will always be the same. LED lights are flexible, with smart options available that allow you to change the color of the light without changing the bulb.

4. More focused

LEDs are also more directional. They emit light in a specific direction rather than creating a general glow. That reduces the need for diffusers or reflectors in your light fixtures. Those devices attempt to direct the light from incandescent bulbs and CFLs to where it is needed, but even with their help, though, you lose much of the light. With LEDs, the light goes where you need it.

5. Less damaging

CFLs emit ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be hard on your employee’s eyes, leading to fatigue, headaches, and the need for more frequent breaks away from harsh lighting. UV light also damages fabrics, carpets, and decor. The resulting fading may hasten the need to replace furnishings. LED bulbs emit light that is entirely on the visible spectrum. That means no damaging UV light.

6. More durable

The physical bulbs are also better when comparing LEDs to CFLs. LED bulbs are solid-state lights. That makes them more resistant to damage than their fragile fluorescent counterparts. As a result, you will lose less money to broken bulbs. Additionally, a broken fluorescent bulb causes potential toxic mercury exposure. When someone shatters the delicate CFL tubes, they aren’t just wasting money. They create a hazard, making those easily broken CFLs even more problematic.

7. More energy-efficient

The estimated annual energy cost of a 60-watt incandescent bulb that’s on for three hours a day is $7.23. A 13w CFL, which puts out equivalent light to that incandescent, costs $1.57. Your new, energy-efficient LED bulb with the same light output? $1.08. Now multiply those savings by the number of bulbs in your company’s spaces and the number of three-hour periods each bulb is on. That adds up to meaningful savings on your energy bill and a significant reduction in your carbon footprint just from changing the light bulbs.

8. Less toxic

As we mentioned when discussing broken CFL bulbs, they contain mercury. Mercury is toxic to people and animals. Its presence in light bulbs creates a hazard when they shatter and also creates waste disposal issues. CFLs can not be disposed of in regular trash collection. You must treat them as hazardous materials.

You can avoid that entirely with LED bulbs. While their longer lifespan means you will have to throw them away less often, you can dispose of them with your regular trash when the time comes, or better yet, recycle them.

Small changes with big impact

Working with commercial energy companies or installing solar panels can bring about huge savings on your business’s electricity costs. In addition to considering significant changes like that, pay attention to smaller choices that can still have an enormous impact. Switching to LED bulbs takes little time, no expertise, and is only a small expense, but the effects can still benefit your company’s budget. If your business still has fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, making the change will be worthwhile.

Infographic

In the quest to cut business energy costs, businesses should consider transitioning to LED bulbs for immediate efficiency and sustainability gains. This infographic outlines the impactful advantages: longer life, cooler operation, color versatility, focused lighting, reduced damage, enhanced durability, energy efficiency, and lower toxicity. LEDs significantly reduce costs and contribute to sustainability by minimizing waste and environmental impact. Make this immediate switch for lasting savings and a greener, more efficient workplace.

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