If you are considering using Outdoor LED Lights for your home or business, you are making a wise move as there are some great benefits which are significant.
Before we get into the benefits, I want to take a second and mention where Outdoor LED bulbs are much more durable than incandescent or CFL bulbs, which will reduce the number of times they have to be changed due to breakage.
Short-Term Cost
About the only downside, in considering LED technology for your outdoor lighting application, is the up-front, initial cost. An LED bulb can range from about $25 to $200 (that’s per bulb). This price is expected to decrease over time as the demand increase and then so does the supply to match the demand. In order to justify the extra up-front expense, you have to take a long-term view.
So, if you are considering using LED for Your Outdoor Lighting, there are some ways that might decide if it’s the right move for you or.
Smart Tips For Deciding When to Move to Outdoor LED Lighting
Tip #1
If you are a business, then figure out the total cost you are spending on bulbs in a year and then put a dollar figure on how much time it’s is costing your maintenance crew to change bulbs in that year. Then, weight that against the benefits/facts above and make a financial decision.
Tip #2
Next you need to figure out the approximate cost of using a single incandescent bulb:If you are considering Outdoor LED Lights for your personal residence, since LED bulbs can last between 60,000 to 100,000 hours, I would figure out how many years you can expect that LED bulb to last for you particular sitation. It’s going to be years, it’s just how many.
A 60-watt incandescent light bulb, consumes 1440 watts per day (assuming it’s one 24 hours per day) – that’s 60-watts * 24 hours. 1440 watts is the same as 1.44 kilowatts*hours (kWh). If 1 kWh costs you .25 cents, then that bulb is costing you 1.44 kWh * .25/kWh or 36 cents – per day. You will need to check with your local electricity provide for the actual rates. Then you need to multiply that amount times the number of days of use in a year.
Using the figures above, the LED bulb will cost you about 1/6 of the amount per year than the incandescent bulb.
Next, add up all of the figures and let the numbers be your guide.
Tip #3
If you really don’t want to be bothered with changing your outdoor light fixture bulbs frequently, but you can’t afford to change them all at the same time, then as one burns out, replace it with an LED bulb. This method maximizes the usage of your current bulb while, hopefully, spreading the cost out over a period of time.
Tip #4
Because LED bulbs are so much more expensive than ‘regular’ bulbs, as you move toward LED bulbs, consider setting up a special fund each month so that you don’t get smacked with a big price tag 6+ years down the road.
Tip #5
Because of the expense of the LED Bulb, stick with mainstream brands to ensure you are getting high-quality bulbs.
Other Benefits
LED Bulbs are very bright, which is great for outdoor applications.
Colored LED Bulbs tend show more brilliant color than their incandescent counterparts.
The Cost
The costs of the lighting vary, depending on whether you are buying fixtures along with the bulbs or just the bulbs themselves. The bulbs range from just under $20 to about $200 (for some special bulbs (like aquatic bulbs). The bulbs, with fixtures, range from $25 to almost $1,000, depending on what you are looking for.
In Summary
The decision to move to Outdoor LED Lights is going to come down to simple economics and as well as saving you the effort having to change light bulbs. The prices are apt to come down over time, however, it’s anyone’s guess as to how much and how fast.