Why should you choose LED lights for your home?

While CFLs were strongly supported in the past, LED interior lights are clearly the superior energy-efficient choice for current and future times.

Starting in January of 2012, consumers will no longer have the ability to puchase 100W incandescent light bulbs, and by 2014 incandescent light bulbs will be fully banned. Earlier this decade, CFLs were praised as the green option, but LED lights are now surpassing them in performance and reduced power consumption. LEDs have a life span of 50,000 hours or more, which is ten times more than the 5,000 hours of light provided by CFLs. LEDs also consume as little as half the power of CFLs. A few more reasons why LED home lights are a better choice for you and your family are listed here:

1. LEDs are RoHS certified, which guarantees that in addition of energy-efficient, no harmful components were used in their manufacturing. CFLs are not RoHS certified because they contain mercury. While some may feel that 1-5 mg of mercury is an incremental amount, but represents enough mercury that most states have deemed it unlawful to dispose of CFLs with regular trash, thus requiring special recycling. This suggests that it is an area of major concern. It is also unclear if there are health risks associated with constant exposure over a long period of time.

2. CFLs emit 30 BTU/hour of heat, while LEDs emit a only around 3.4 BTU/hour. One of the distinct advantages of LED lights is that their low heat generation, which virtually eliminates fire and safety hazard risks. While CFLs generate less heat than the 85 BTU/hour that incandescent bulbs produce, 30 BTUs is still enough heat to pose a safety or fire hazard. Furthermore, LEDs are durable and can handle jarring and bumping. CFLs are as fragile as incandescent bulbs.

3. If you install LED lights in your home, you will not have to be worried with the performance issues of CFLs. There is evidence that the cycling of turning CFLs on and off could actually shorten their lifespan. Also, rather inconveniently, they can take time to warm up and reach full brightness, whereas LED lights turn on and provide their full lumens instantly.

While contemplating your conversion from incandescent lights to a more environmentally friendly option, it seems clear that the best choice is LED home lighting. LEDs not only last longer, consume less power and are less expensive, but they also are the safest and best performing option. LED lighting truly is the light of the future, while CFLs are quickly becoming an outdated option.