So, you've decided that you want to add some light to your outdoor living space. Outdoor lighting not only allows you to enjoy the fresh air for longer into the evening, but it also offers great safety benefits and increased property value. There are many decisions that must be made once you decide that outdoor lighting is your next project. Where will you hang the lights? What color will they be? How many do you want? Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is will you be using LED or incandescent lighting?

Both options have different pros and cons. You may find that the upfront cost of incandescent lighting is cheaper than LED lighting, however, the long-term benefits of LEDs greatly outweigh incandescents. LED lights are not only brighter, but they are also much more energy-efficient, saving you a heaping amount of money on your energy bills. Continue reading to find out why, contrary to what the upfront cost will tell you, LED lights will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

Here's the math to prove that LED bulbs will reduce your energy bills:

Even though the numbers of the initial costs are lower when you look at incandescent bulbs compared to LED, you will find that if you look at the long-term energy costs, LED bulbs will be cheaper to operate.

Let us do a little math for you:

A 60W incandescent bulb provides the same brightness level as a 12W LED bulb. This means that a 60W incandescent bulb consumes 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity every 1,000 hours. A 12W LED bulb consumes 12 kilowatt-hours of electricity every 1,000 hours.

  • According to Electricity Local, the average residential electricity rate in Columbia, Illinois is 9.06 cents per kilowatt-hour
  • Based on this average rate, running a 60W incandescent bulb for 1,000 hours will cost a Columbia resident $543.60
  • On the other hand, running a 12W LED bulb for 1,000 hours will cost a Columbia resident $108.72

LED Bulbs Last Longer Than Incandescent Bulbs

Aside from learning about all the money you could save, the next best news is about the LED lifespan! According to the Department of Energy, a 60W incandescent bulb will burn out after about 1,000 hours of use. As mentioned above, a 12W LED bulb has comparable brightness to a 60W incandescent bulb. The lifespan of a 12W LED bulb is approximately 25,000 hours.

This not only means that you will be saving yourself money on your energy bill, but you will also be saving money by not having to replace your bulbs every time you hit the 1,000-hour mark. Say goodbye to the extra cost, work, and hassle!

Additional LED Benefits

By now we have probably convinced you that LED lights are cheaper than incandescent bulbs, regardless of what the initial cost shows you. We have also mentioned that the LED bulb lifespan significantly outweighs the incandescent bulb lifespan. If these two facts have not totally convinced you yet, here are a few more LED advantages:

  1. LED lights are brighter
  2. Their bulbs are smaller than incandescent bulbs
  3. Because they are smaller, their design flexibility is greater
  4. LED bulbs can survive a wide range of temperatures (hot or cold) without a significant amount of degradation

Schedule your LED outdoor lighting service today!

Have we sold you on the benefits of LEDs yet? At Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, we use LED bulbs for our outdoor lighting services because we want to give our customers the best long-term experience. If your home or business is in the Columbia, Illinois area, including Waterloo, Millstadt, or Red Bud, give us a call today at (618) 939-4769. Illuminate your property without blowing your bank account!