During our first year in existence, Christmas fell on a Friday, so we had a special Five Friday Facts – Christmas Edition. Today’s Five Friday Facts also has a Christmas theme: the energy savings from LEDs vs. conventional light bulbs. We mentioned in that first Five Friday Facts the savings from LEDs (our first fact below) vs. conventionals. We have some additional facts (#2-5 below) about the difference in these lights via Minneapolis/St. Paul’s KARE 11. Video of the segment is available below.
- LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can be used instead of incandescent bulbs to decorate your tree and home. They’re more expensive, but last much longer and use 80% to 90% less power than conventional mini bulbs. They cast a bright white light and stay cool to the touch so they won’t singe the tree—or someone’s fingers. (Source: TIME)
- Using 600 full sized incandescent bulbs for 30 days at 6 hours per day, will cost $68.80.
- 600 mini incandescent light bulbs run for the same amount of time costs $5.51.
- 600 LEDs run for 180 hours (30 days X 6 hours/day) costs $1.09.
- Incandescent bulbs are much more prone to breakage than LEDs. Additionally, if one incandescent bulb breaks, the entire string fails to function.
