|
Comparison Chart
LED
Lights vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs vs. CFLs
|
Energy
Efficiency
& Energy Costs
|
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
|
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
|
Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)
|
|
Life Span
(average) |
50,000
hours |
1,200
hours |
8,000 hours |
|
Watts of electricity used
(equivalent to 60 watt bulb).
LEDs use less power (watts) per unit of light generated (lumens). LEDs help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and lower electric bills
|
6 - 8 watts
|
60 watts
|
13-15 watts
|
Kilo-watts of Electricity
used
(30 Incandescent Bulbs per year equivalent)
|
329 KWh/yr.
|
3285 KWh/yr.
|
767 KWh/yr.
|
|
Annual Operating Cost
(30 Incandescent Bulbs per year equivalent)
|
$32.85/year
|
$328.59/year
|
$76.65/year
|
|
Environmental
Impact
|
Light Emitting Diodes
(LEDs)
|
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
|
Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)
|
|
Contains the TOXIC Mercury |
No
|
No
|
Yes - Mercury is very toxic to your health and
the environment
|
|
RoHS Compliant |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No - contains 1mg-5mg of Mercury and is a
major
risk to the environment
|
|
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
(30 bulbs per
year)
Lower energy consumption decreases: CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide, and
high-level nuclear waste. |
451 pounds/year
|
4500
pounds/year
|
1051 pounds/year
|
|
Important
Facts
|
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
|
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
|
Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)
|
|
Sensitivity
to low temperatures
|
None
|
Some
|
Yes - may not work under negative 10 degrees
Fahrenheit or over 120 degrees Fahrenheit
|
|
Sensitive
to humidity
|
No
|
Some
|
Yes
|
|
On/off
Cycling
Switching a CFL
on/off quickly, in a closet for instance, may decrease the lifespan of
the bulb.
|
No
Effect
|
Some
|
Yes
-
can reduce lifespan drastically
|
|
Turns
on instantly
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No - takes time to warm up
|
|
Durability
|
Very
Durable - LEDs can handle jarring
and
bumping
|
Not
Very Durable - glass or filament can
break easily
|
Not
Very Durable - glass can break easily
|
|
Heat
Emitted
|
3.4
btu's/hour
|
85
btu's/hour
|
30
btu's/hour
|
|
Failure
Modes
|
Not
typical
|
Some
|
Yes - may catch on fire, smoke, or omit an odor
|
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Light
Output
|
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
|
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
|
Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)
|
|
Lumens
|
Watts
|
Watts
|
Watts
|
|
450
|
4-5
|
40
|
9-13
|
|
800
|
6-8
|
60
|
13-15
|
|
1,100
|
9-13
|
75
|
18-25
|
|
1,600
|
16-20
|
100
|
23-30
|
|
2,600
|
25-28
|
150
|
30-55
|
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