Did you know that lighting accounts for about ten percent of the electricity use in the average U.S. home? All the more reason to switch to LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Whether you are switching from incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LEDs are a great choice!

LEDs are inexpensive, last a lot longer, and give excellent light. They come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and sizes for many applications, including both indoor and outdoor lighting, and are often compatible with dimmers, motion detectors, and daylight sensors. MassSave has a nifty chart so that you can find the right fit.

LEDS can save a lot on your electric bill. They use up to 90% less energy than the old incandescent bulbs which waste a full 90% of their energy on heat, which is why they get so hot. If you replace these old bulbs with LEDs, you can save $100 over the life of the bulb! LEDs also use 50% less energy than Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. Unlike fluorescents, quality LEDs will maintain their light performance for their entire lifespan and won’t begin to flicker over time. CFLs also require special disposal because of the small amount of mercury they contain.

And what about the planetary budget? If every household replaced just one light bulb with an LED we would save enough energy to light two million homes for a whole year and we would also prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of taking 550,000 vehicles off the road.

Still, LEDs are currently only used in less than 10% of fixtures! Can we reach 50% use of these great bulbs in our community this year alone? Let’s find out!