Should i buy cfl or led

In the beginning, all we had was the standard, incandescent light bulb. We are going to tackle the question… which light bulb type reigns supreme? The trick is to understand the technology. Brightness is determined by lumens. Lumens is best described as the measurement of light. A single CFL and LED bulb might have the same lumen brightness output but vary greatly in the amount energy needed to generate that level of brightness. For example, in a floor lamp, a CFL would perform better because of the light coverage was, at the time, much broader.

In most recessed lighting ceiling , however, the LED would have greater efficacy. Fast forward to new LED generations, and we see the little light-emitting diodes surpassing CFLs in overall energy consumption, color and even becoming more competitively priced in the marketplace. The chart below illustrates the amount of brightness in lumens you can expect from different wattages of light bulbs. How to understand this table — look at the lumens brightness in the far left column, then compare how many watts of power each light bulb type requires to produce that level of brightness.

The lower the wattage needed, the better. To compare different light bulbs, you need to know about lumens. Lumens, not watts, tell you how bright a light bulb is, no matter the type of bulb. With soft and warm white hues that mimic the glow of traditional incandescent bulbs, the ability to use some models with a dimmer switch, and their instantaneous illumination, LEDs are simply a better option around the house than CFLs.

However, you do have a few options. You can either:. If you want, you can upgrade to more efficient lighting one room at a time, or as old light bulbs burn out. There is no right or wrong way to make the switch. Holly Johnson is a frugality expert and award-winning writer who is obsessed with personal finance and getting the most out of life. A lifelong resident of Indiana, she enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling the world with her husband and two children.

Holly also owns Club Thrifty. Home » Save Money. Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Financial Wellness Save More Money. Keep Reading. While CFLs are certainly more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs earn the crown when it comes to the energy saving battle. Plus, they last longer, reach their full brightness almost immediately and don't contain mercury, which can be a concern for CFLs.

With that said, don't worry if you currently have CFLs in your home, but when it's time to replace them, go for LED bulbs. Along with upgrading your light bulbs, installing a home lighting control system could further boost your energy saving efforts. Even the most energy efficient homes can be vulnerable and require electrical repairs. See how plans from HomeServe can help with the costs of covered repairs.

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