Do LED Smart Lights Actually Save Money?

What Are the Common Household Lights: LED Vs CFL Vs Incandescent

Lightbulbs have undergone a lot of changes since new lighting standards were established back in 2012. Traditional incandescent light bulbs are no longer being manufactured. That's a good thing as 90% of their energy was given off as heat. New bulbs give you the lighting you expect but in a much more energy-efficient way, but there are still choices to be made.

The main types of lightbulbs are LED (light-emitting diodes), CFL (compact fluorescent lamps), and halogen incandescent. LEDs and CFLs are more expensive initially, but much more energy efficient overall, and a lot cheaper in the long term. LED is the newest kind of lighting; while used commercially for a long time, initially they were expensive. However, the technology has changed rapidly and as a result prices have dropped dramatically. Now you can find LED light bulbs in any convenience store at rock bottom prices. They’re everywhere - in your car headlamps, traffic lights, on planes, and even in your high-end 4K TVs. But what people don’t realize is just how reliable and cost-effective they are, especially when it comes to your energy bill.

How LEDs are Different

• They give off less heat: As noted above, traditional bulbs give off 90% of their energy as heat. By contrast, very little heat is given off by an LED so they last a lot longer and consume less energy. Want proof? Try touching an LED light when it’s on. You’ll be amazed by how cool it is.
• Direction: LED lights are designed to project light in a specific direction, so no need for refractors and diffusers. They instead project direct light, making one bulb extremely effective, and cutting down on unnecessary or garish lighting.
• Source: According to energy.gov, “LEDs are the size of a fleck of pepper, and a mix of red, green, and blue LEDs is typically used to make white light.” So while a bulb may look big, the source of the light itself is nearly microscopic as opposed to old halogen lights where you could see the coil.

LED vs Incandescent

While a traditional incandescent bulb might be a little cheaper at first (like 50 cents cheaper - not a major difference), they are known to be exceedingly fragile, hot to handle, and, amazingly, use six times as much energy as LED lights. And you know what else? The light quality itself isn’t nearly as good as what you get with LED. In short, incandescent technology is ancient. It’s time to move on.

LED vs CFL Bulbs

CFL (Compact fluorescent bulbs) lights are definitely superior to incandescent bulbs and a good advancement in technology, but they’re still not as good or as cost-effective as LED lights. And they cost way more upfront for little benefit. Want proof?

Smart LED Products

BAZZ has got an amazing selection of LED products perfect for your home. What’s really cool about LED lights is how compatible they are with smart tech. Take the BAZZ Recessed light fixture kit. Not only can you control your lights with your smartphone, but you can download new colors to use too. There are literally millions to choose from.

If you just want one bulb to be able to switch colors, they got you covered! Their BR30 RGBW LED smart bulb is revolutionary, with it hooking up to your existing Wi-Fi network, even being usable through Google Home or Amazon Alexa. You can also download millions of colors, perfect if you want to set a mood or have a party. Plus they last up to 25,000 hours.

Want something that’s a little more ambient? Give their light strips a try. You can use these to make really cool lighting projects for areas that you want to highlight. These are perfect for behind TVs, in kitchen cabinets, headboards and more. And yes, like the LED bulbs, these connect via Wi-Fi, and you can pick any color you want.

Do LED lights Save Money?

In the end, the proof speaks for itself - LED lights not only save money but they save A LOT of money. They are the new standard for lighting, and while a bulb may cost you something like 50 cents more upfront, the bulb could last for years. Replacement costs aren’t the only concern either. The fact is the energy savings are significant, so next time you’re looking to replace a bulb, it's a good idea to go LED.