Time to Upgrade to LEDs? But I Just Made the Switch to CFLs!

March 29th, 2016

Last month GE announced that it has begun phasing out its compact fluorescent light bulbs

 

Today’s post is by Christine McConnell, Account Manager at SafeSourcing.

Last month GE announced that it has begun phasing out its compact fluorescent light bulbs. The company stated that it will stop making and selling CFLs in the United States all together by the end of 2016 citing that there are now “so many choices that a consumer has for one socket in their home that it’s overwhelming. This will help simplify that.”[1] While other manufacturers like Philips and Sylvania are planning to continue producing CFLs for the foreseeable future, GE’s announcement implies that with their falling cost and rising availability, LED bulbs are establishing a real foothold in today’s marketplace.

But wait… before you throw out all your CFL bulbs and make a run to the nearest big box store for brand new LEDs, let’s make a quick comparison:

  • Cost
    • CFLs are markedly less expensive up front
    • LEDs prices are dropping, but are still typically higher
  • Energy
    • CFLs provide greater energy efficiency than traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs
    • LEDs can last up to five times longer than CFLs saving countless kWh’s (kilowatt hours) over time
  • Color rendering
    • CLFs are considerably better at rendering color now than when they were first introduced to the market
    • LEDs display colors with greater accuracy than was once thought possible
  • Dimming/Directional
    • CFLs are not dimmable but do produce extremely bright light that diffuses evenly
    • LEDs are dimmable but are only capable of producing directional light
  • Mercury
    • CLFs contain mercury albeit smaller amounts than traditional fluorescent tubes
    • LEDs do not contain mercury and are thus far better for the environment
  • Buying decision
    • CLFs offer a much simpler shopping experience because of their limited variety
    • LEDs present a myriad of options that can potentially overwhelm the buyer

At some point in the not too distant future incandescent and CFL bulbs will no longer be available for purchase. In the meantime, don’t panic. You can start by upgrading your lighting one fixture at a time (perhaps in a difficult to reach spot that with its new LED bulb will not require replacing for years to come), or even one room at a time. While there’s no perfect way to make the switch; the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll begin saving!

Interested in learning how SafeSourcing can help your company run more efficiently? Like to try a risk free trial? Please don’t hesitate to contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. Our team is ready and available to assist you!

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/business/energy-environment/ge-to-phase-out-cfl-light-bulbs.html?_r=0

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