Most people do better to replace traditional lights with LED lights gradually, a few this year and a few more next year, but these are reasons you might want go faster.
- You’re aggravated about the high electric bill. If it bothers you that so much money is going to the electric company, high-efficiency lighting is one of the quickest ways to cut the bill down to size. Another way to stick it to the electric utility: spend less time on the video screen.
- Money, and nowhere to invest it. LEDs are a good choice if you’re tired of the low rates of return on your investments. Even in the least favorable scenario (replacing high-efficiency fluorescent lighting in a little-used room) an investment in LED lighting gives you a rate of return of 2 percent, and the best cases return more than 100 percent. Better than the stock market, eh? If you’re thinking it’s a shame you can’t put thousands of dollars into this investment, look into rooftop solar panels as a follow-up.
- Air conditioning. Anywhere the air conditioner runs day and night, the return on energy efficiency in lighting is that much faster. Save money and make the air conditioning run a little quieter with the most efficient lighting you can get. And even then, don’t forget to turn out the lights you aren’t using.
- No nukes. Realistically, the transition from nuclear power to sustainable forms of electric generation can’t happen without energy efficiencies, and LED lighting is one of the easiest ways to make a statement in that area. And if you’ve been putting off doing a home energy audit, getting that done is an even better way to make a statement about your personal energy use.
- Party time. Get some pro-quality LED lights in various colors, add a lighting controller, and you can turn your whole house into anything from a rock stage to a dance floor at the flip of a switch. And the amazing thing is that you’ll be saving energy at the same time.
