For many homes and businesses, replacing old lights with LED lighting is worth it because LEDs generally use less electricity and need replacing less often than incandescent and many fluorescent lamps. How much you benefit depends on how long your lights run, the products you choose and whether your existing fixtures and controls are compatible.
Weighing the benefits against the limitations helps you decide where an upgrade makes the most sense.
Energy Use and Lamp Life
LED technology offers high efficiency, which means more light for the electricity used. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that LEDs now have the highest luminous efficacy of any light-source technology.
LEDs also tend to last longer than incandescent bulbs, which reduces how often lamps need to be changed. That matters most for lights in high ceilings, stairwells and other hard-to-reach spots. Actual lifespan varies by product quality, heat and operating conditions, so no LED can be promised to last a set number of years.
Light Quality and Options
LEDs come in many brightness levels and color temperatures, from warm tones for living spaces to cooler light for kitchens and workspaces. Quality varies between products, and the Department of Energy notes that efficiency and color quality can differ. Choosing reputable products with good color rendering helps avoid harsh or uneven light.
LEDs also turn on at full brightness right away, including in cold garages and outdoor fixtures, which is useful during Utah winters. Some older bulb types take time to reach full brightness in the cold.
Costs, Compatibility and Fixture Changes
LED products can cost more up front than older bulbs, while energy and replacement savings build over time. Savings are larger for lights that run many hours a day and smaller for lights used only occasionally.
Compatibility can add cost. Older dimmers may not work well with LEDs, enclosed fixtures may need bulbs rated for that use, and some fluorescent fixtures may need retrofit kits or full replacement. In some rooms, swapping bulbs is enough. In others, replacing the fixture with an integrated LED fixture is the better long-term choice.
When an LED Upgrade Makes the Most Sense
Upgrades tend to make the most sense for lights that run often, are difficult to reach, or sit in fixtures that are worn out anyway. Homes and businesses across Utah often start with kitchens, living areas, garages and exterior lighting. Doing it in stages, starting with the most-used lights, spreads out the cost.
A professional can check fixtures, dimmers and wiring and suggest whether bulbs, retrofits or new fixtures fit each area. Fixture replacement involves electrical connections and should not be done as a DIY job.
If you are thinking about upgrading lights in your Salt Lake City home or business, our professional LED lighting installation can help you decide where LEDs make the most sense.