CFL vs LED: Which Are the Best Energy Efficient Light Bulbs?

Lighting Emitting Diode (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs can help save energy both at work and home.

In the past, we had only one choice in light bulbs: incandescent lamps that consume so much energy to illuminate the room. A lot of nations are on a quest to get rid of incandescent lights due to the fact that they consume a lot of energy and aren’t lasting long, making them a part of the already vast environmental pollution around the globe.

However, thanks to the modern LED as well as CFL technologyavailable, aren’t obligated to pay massive electricity bills or the need to change your bulbs more often.

What is it that is it that makes LED and CFL distinct?

CFL or LED, which should you choose?

Let’s have a review of this innovative and efficient method to light your home, and all the factors you need to consider the next time you are to buy a new light bulb.

LED vs CFL What’s the difference?

Both LEDs and CFLs are the two most well-known lighting options that are new to the market. To get a better understanding of the two choices better, let’s have a look at what distinguishes them and the benefits and disadvantages associated with both.

What is LED light bulb?

LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes commonly referred to as LEDs are efficient in energy use. They are small semiconductors that are wrapped in a protective plastic. They have two terminals that permit the flow of electricity in only one direction.

The currents that have a positive and negative charge join forces and produce energy that is released as light. This creates a quick source of light that’s quick, reliable, and can be dimmed.

What makes LEDs stand out is their capacity to last for long. Studies show that LED bulbs last from 20,000 to fifty thousand hours. This can be five times more than other bulb available.

In the case of you compare LED against fluorescent bulbs, the primary difference is that LEDs create direct light, whereas incandescent bulbs scatter light more evenly. This means that LEDs require lesser energy in order to distribute light.

LED bulbs also don’t cause the formation of heat as opposed to incandescent bulbs which can are hot and can cause the buildup of heat in a room. So, you won’t need to cool the room that has an LED bulb.

The main drawback for LEDs is the fact that they’re costly to manufacture, making the purchase price prohibitive in comparison to other kinds of bulbs.

What exactly are CFL bulb light sources?

Now let’s look at LED bulbs with CFL firstly, let’s examine the CFLs.

CFLs operate by sending an electric charge through the tube, which is made up of mercury vapor and argon. Then, they emit ultraviolet light that is quickly transformed to visible light.

Concerning energy use, CFLs consume 70 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. They last for longer than traditional bulbs.

Two things are notable in the debate of CFL as opposed to LED bulbs. The first is that a CLF bulbs are less expensive than LED ones. 2. CLF bulbs can be used with any light fixtures. They are not as efficient, however. LED bulbs that aren’t as compatible with table lamps.

Contrary to LEDs, CFL bulbs require only a few minutes to warm up before they reach the full brightness. They are also not suitable for use by a dimmer switch.

The main drawback with CFLs of the present CFLs can be that they have only a tiny amount of mercury, but it is very hazardous to your health as well as the environment. CFLs should not be thrown away in your normal household garbage. This is the primary reason for why LEDs are so well-known over CFLs.

LED vs CLF Costs Compared

When you’re replacing your light bulbs, cost will be the first factor to determine which bulb you will choose over another. But in terms of energy efficiency, low-cost is not always the most efficient alternative. To give a better understanding of what we’re talking about let’s look at what it would cost if you opt to purchase an LED, incandescent or CFL lamp.

In general, an incandescent bulb is much less expensive than other types of bulb. The cost of one incandescent lamp is around $1. What is it that CFL and LED prices? A CFL bulb is around $2, while the LED bulb is around $4.

On the face of it, it’s less expensive to purchase the CFL bulb as opposed to an LED. But if you consider the long-term LED savings against CFL savings into consideration, LED bulbs are the more affordable option.

What’s the problem?

It’s $211 to keep a 60-watt lamp lit by incandescent bulbs for a period for 20 years. If you are using CFL bulbs for the same time period it will cost you $54. LED bulbs are cheaper at just $34.

Be aware that this is only what it costs to light one bulb. Imagine what you could save if you utilize LED lighting for the entire house!

As it is evident, investing just a little cash on LED bulbs today will often result in substantial savings over the long term.

Similar article How to Conserve Energy

LED vs CFL Comparison: Pros and Cons

Each of the LED or CLF bulbs have numerous advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few of the top bulbs:

LED Pros:

  • LEDs radiate light in only one direction, unlike bulbs that scatter heat and light in all direction, but they lose nearly 50% of the light before even leaving the fixture.
  • They are lit up instantly.
  • They aren’t very hot. They remain cool to point of contact even after usage.
  • They last around 60,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours that are typical of an incandescent bulb. They last for about five times more long than CFLs.
  • They aren’t in any way sensitive to cold temperatures.
  • They are not mercury-based and thus are easy to eliminate.
  • A single LED could prevent around half a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions during its lifespan.

LED Cons:

  • The directional light of LEDs can not be evenly distributed like other light sources.
  • They are more expensive that CFLs and other bulbs.

CFL Pros:

  • They consume 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs.
  • They last as much as 10 % longer than traditional bulbs.
  • They are cheaper than the LED light bulbs.
  • They emit brilliant light that spreads evenly.
  • They create less heat and save cost of cooling.

CFL Cons:

  • It takes them a few minutes to warm up and then reach their maximum brightness.
  • They are made up of mercury, an extremely toxic heavy metal.
  • They may be sensitive to cold temperatures.

Similar article Green Energy Facts

Why We Recommend LED’s

A close look at the distinctions between LED lights and CFL and taking into account the CFL and LED costs, it’s difficult to compete with the value offered by LEDs of the present.

While they’re more expensive than CFLs LED bulbs last a lot longer and, therefore, in the end they cost less.

Mercury is used in CFL bulbs is one of the reasons why LEDs are the best choice. Furthermore the instantaneous light and soft , warm white shades that resemble the light of traditional incandescent bulbs can make them better suited to your lighting requirements!