LED bulbs are perhaps the simplest way any business (or home) can become more sustainable overnight. They are cheaper to run, last way longer, and are now just about as cheap to buy as any other bulb – if you know where to look.Most decisions in life require compromise, but LEDs may well be one of the few that don’t.Take a look at this chart…
A typical power bill is made up of 20-30% in lighting cost alone. An LED bulb is around 25% cheaper to run than a traditional incandescent. This means you could cut your monthly power bill by up to 15 or 20% (depending on the type of bulb you currently use).
Much of this efficiency is based on the LED’s ability to convert electricity into light. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are notorious for getting insanely hot, and while CFLs (compact fluorescents) are better, they are still not great. This heat is, in lighting terms, wasted energy. It can also be dangerous.
Hot bulbs are one of the leading causes of domestic fires. By converting to LED bulbs this wasted heat and increased fire risk are both dramatically reduced.
However, the real benefit comes from the frequency with which the bulbs need replacing. This has a threefold benefit.

- Cost. Each time you need to buy a new bulb it costs money. An incandescent bulb will need replacing 15-20 times more often than an LED bulb. Even a long lasting CFL will need replacing twice as often. This means when comparing the raw cost of bulbs, you need to calculate the cost per year of each option. When you do this, LEDs are the clear winner.
- Time. Each time a bulb needs replacing you need to factor the time buying and changing the bulbs. This may not feel a lot, but in a larger business with many lights this can add up.
- Embodied energy. This is really the most important factor. Each bulb needs raw materials, manufacturing, storage, and transportation to reach you. Every step requires energy. The fewer bulbs you need, the less embodied energy is wasted (making them better for the environment).