LED vs Incandescent Bulbs

If you’re like me, you have holiday boxes in your attic or another storage area. Within the boxes, you’ll find ornaments, decorations, and holiday lights. How long have those holiday lights been there? If the answer is “many years”, they might be incandescent lights. And if you still have incandescent holiday lights, we’re here to help!

Incandescent lighting is becoming a thing of the past. As a matter of fact, since January 1, 2014, “the United States will no longer manufacture or import incandescent bulbs – although stores can still sell what they have in stock. The phaseout is a result of federal rules to switch to more energy-efficient bulbs.”

The switch is being made from incandescent to LED bulbs. Here are the factors why:

  • Energy-efficiency
  • Safety
  • Availability

The Superior Bulb

Incandescent bulbs last 1,200 hours on average. LED bulbs, on the other hand, last an average of 25,000 hours. That’s a significant difference! Because of the vastly shorter lifespan of incandescent bulbs, you’d spend much more money on constantly replacing them over time.

LED bulbs are also more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. Lumens and wattage are the key terms here. Lumens refers to the brightness of the bulb. Wattage refers to the actual energy usage of the bulb. Let’s look at a basic comparison between the two:

  • 400-500 lumens equals roughly 6-7 watts for LED and 40 watts for incandescent
  • 650-850 lumens equals roughly 7-10 watts for LED and 60 watts for incandescent
  • 1000-1400 lumens equals roughly 12-13 watts for LED and 75 watts for incandescent

It’s clear to see that powering LED lights requires less energy (watts).

The Safer Bulb

LED and incandescent bulbs are not equal when it comes to safety, either. LED bulbs produce significantly less heat than their incandescent counterparts. Incandescent bulbs can produce heat between 290-500 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them a serious fire hazard.

LED bulbs are the safer choice for your holiday lights. If you aren’t sure which ones you have (LED vs incandescent), give us a call and we’d be happy to identify them.

The Disappearing Bulb

Arguably the number one reason people are switching to LED bulbs is due to the ban on incandescent ones. Reminder: Companies are still allowed to sell incandescent bulbs that they still have in stock; however, they can no longer manufacture or import them within the U.S.

LED bulbs aren’t the only choice for holiday lights, but they are a far better option than incandescent bulbs. You can ask any home improvement store professional and they’ll all say the same thing: LED bulbs are better. Or, you can ask your friendly Gainesville-area experts: us.

Spring Cleaning and Holiday Preparation

It seems the holidays were just last week. Looking forward, however, spring is right around the corner. Homeowners will soon do their spring cleaning and throw things out from last year. If you have incandescent holiday lights, you might want to include them in things you get rid of. It’s the smart, efficient, and safe option.

Gainesville Holiday Lights is the #1 holiday lighting company in the area. Consider hiring us to replace your older, incandescent holiday light bulbs if you still have that type of bulb. We don’t subcontract and offer the highest quality of service and installation. We even store the rented holiday lights when the season is over so you don’t have to! Contact us today to learn more.