Energy-Efficient Lights, are they worth it?

It was not long ago that the incandescent light bulb was the norm for the type of light that was used anywhere from in the kitchen, car, flashlight, outdoor porch light or on the Christmas tree. Over New LED Lighting Installed the last decade or two, lighting technology has significantly improved and with these improvements better lighting products became more available and affordable in the market – namely, CFLs (compact fluorescents) and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). These technologies address two factors that are namely a concern to many when purchasing lighting – longevity and running cost. A CFL equivalent to a 60watt incandescent light bulb is capable of lasting 4,000 hours or longer and uses 75% less energy. Also, LEDs equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent light bulb can last 35-50 times longer and save slightly more energy than a CFL (energystar.gov). In some cases the new lighting technologies are reliable and energy-efficient that they have brought humiliation to the older inefficient lighting systems and have put in motion a ‘phase-out’ of old lighting products.

Another important factor to consider among energy-efficient lighting with ‘longevity’ and ‘running cost’ is affordability. LED lights for example can cost a bit more to purchase when compared to other types of lights such as fluorescent technologies. However, it may be worthwhile to seriously consider purchasing and installing LED lights if you currently have inefficient lighting in your home or building that you use frequently and can potentially achieve a significant energy savings. Replacing existing CFLs with LED in most cases will likely not be worthwhile or cost-effective. Depending the circumstance and use of the light, it may be best to allow an existing CFL to complete its lifecycle before replacing it with an LED.

At U-Haul we carry-out many energy-efficiency projects every year, many which involve retrofitting and converting to energy-efficient lighting. The types of lighting U-Haul Centers utilize include, but are not limited to, Fluorescent, High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED. It is our goal in the U-Haul company to provide a safe and visible environment for our customers and team all while maximizing energy savings.

Read more about U-Haul’s sustainability initiatives.

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