Incandescent vs LED Light Bulb: Which Is Best For Your Home?

Incandescent bulbs have been the traditional choice for many years, as they are affordable and familiar. On the other hand, LED lights are known for their energy efficiency and long lifespans. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of incandescent vs LED Light bulbs. This will help you make an informed decision based on your unique lighting needs.

Overview of Incandescent Light Bulb

An incandescent light bulb is a type of bulb that uses electric current to heat a filament until it glows and produces light. This type of lighting is commonly used in commercial settings due to its ease of installation and low cost.

The development of the incandescent light bulb was a progressive journey:

• 1879: Thomas Edison patented an electric lamp with a carbon filament.
• 1882: Lewis Howard Latimer improved the method for creating carbon filaments.
• 1903: Willis R. Whitney designed a bulb that allowed carbon filaments to glow brightly without marking the glass.
• 1910: William David Coolidge invented a process for making tungsten filaments, which are still used today due to their high melting point.

Incandescent light operates on the principle of incandescence, where light is generated as a result of heat. When electric current passes through a wire filament (typically made of tungsten) that is housed within a vacuum-sealed bulb, it transforms into heat, which subsequently emits light.

Pros	Cons
Adjustable brightness Cost - effectiveness Warm hue, ideal for various settings. Superior light output	Energy efficiency lack Short lifespan, just about 1,000 hours High maintenance cost Hardly care requirement Poor heat resistance

Overview of LED Light Bulb

LED bulbs, in fact, are not traditional bulbs. They contain small semiconductors encased in plastic that safeguard the components and direct the light. The acronym LED stands for “light-emitting diode”.

In 1962, Nick Holonyak, Jr invented LEDs using a semiconductor material known as GaAsP, or Gallium Arsenide Phosphide. However, it wasn't until the 21st century that LED lighting began to be widely used, gradually phasing out incandescent lighting.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, operate on the principle of electroluminescence. They contain a diode made from a semi-conductive material and have both a positive and negative electrode. As a result, when an electric current passes through the electrodes, light is produced.

Pros	Cons
Energy efficiency Longer lifespan, up to 100,000 hours Durability Environment friendliness Less heat production Multicolored display Instant lighting	High cost Dimmer incompatibility Sleep disruption Heat-Induced Failure

Incandescent vs LED Light Bulb: Comprehensive Comparisons

Choosing the right light bulb can significantly impact your energy bills, environmental footprint, and the ambiance of your home. Here's a detailed comparison of incandescent vs LED light bulbs to help you make an informed decision:

Feature	Incandescent Light Bulb	LED Light Bulb
Energy Efficiency	10 - 20% efficiency	80 - 90% efficiency, 6 - 7 times more efficient
Lifespan and Durability	Short (1,000 hours)	Long (25,000 - 100,000 hours)
Initial Cost	Lower upfront cost ($2 - $3 per bulb)	Higher initial investment ($5 - $7 per bulb)
Long-term Savings	Lower - Frequent replacements needed	Higher - Saves energy and reduces replacements
Brightness	Fixed brightness	Adjustable
Color Rendering	Limited warm yellow	Wide range (RGB capabilities)
Flicker	Slight flickering, especially when dimmed	Minimal flicker
Heat	Produces a significant amount of heat	Emits very little heat
Environmental Impact	High energy consumption	Low energy consumption, reduces carbon emissions
Compatibility	Widely available	May not fit all situations
Light Distribution	Single color	Can be configured to issue different colors
Safety	High heat can pose fire risks Fragile and can shatter, posing a potential safety risk	Very little heat, no fire hazard Durable and shatter-resistant, with lower risk of injury
Impact on sleep	Higher	Lower
Design Flexibility	Limited	Versatile
Dimming Capabilities	Compatible with most dimmers	Not all LED lights are compatible with dimmers

Energy Efficiency

WINNER = LED light bulbs

Lumens serve as the standard unit for quantifying the brightness of light. The efficiency of a lighting system is determined by its ability to transform energy (measured in watts or W) into lumens. For a more comprehensive comparison, consider the following conversion chart from watts to lumens:

LED light	Incandescent light	Lumens
2W	7W	100
4W	25W	375
5W	30W	450
9W	60W	800
12W	75W	1100
17W	100W	1600
27W	150W	2600
32W	200W	3000

The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light. When comparing the incandescent vs LED light bulb, the LED clearly outshines in terms of brightness. Interestingly, LED lights require less energy to produce a brighter light compared to incandescent bulbs. Research indicates that LED bulbs are 80% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. They even outperform compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in terms of efficiency.

Lifespan and Durability

Incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 750 to 1,000 hours. In comparison, LED bulbs can last up to 25,000 hours, which is 20 to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. If used for three hours daily, an LED bulb could last over 21 years, while an incandescent bulb would need replacement after just eight months.

In durability, LED lights are much more durable and can withstand physical impacts and shocks better than incandescent bulbs, which are relatively fragile. Therefore, it is recommended that you handle and store your incandescent bulbs with extra care.

Additionally, LED lights typically dim over time as an indication of failure, while the light fixture will continue to work even if a few light diodes stop working. In contrast, incandescent bulbs will stop emitting light immediately when they fail. This can be particularly inconvenient, especially if it happens at night when you are working on an important task.

Initial Cost

Although an incandescent light bulb may seem cheaper than an LED light bulb at first, the initial cost of an LED bulb is higher than that of an incandescent bulb. LED bulbs typically cost between $5 and $7, while incandescent bulbs usually cost between $2 and $3. In case of a temporary shortage, an incandescent light bulb may be a more viable option, but for sustainable use, LED light bulbs are highly recommended.

Long-term Savings

While the initial cost of an LED bulb, which ranges from $5 to $7, is higher than that of an incandescent bulb, which costs between $2 and $3, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The frequent replacement of incandescent bulbs, which have a lifespan of around 1,000 hours, can add up, diminishing the initial savings.

On the other hand, LED bulbs, with an impressive average lifespan of 100,000 hours, require far fewer replacements. Additionally, the energy efficiency of LEDs leads to savings on your electricity bill.

Brightness

Incandescent bulbs are known for their warm, yellowish glow, with their brightness measured in watts. For instance, an incandescent bulb of 60 watts provides about 800 lumens, the standard unit for light intensity.

In contrast, LED bulbs can produce the same level of brightness using significantly less power. A typical LED bulb uses between 8 to 12 watts to produce 800 lumens, making them approximately 5 to 6 times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.

LED lights have the capability to reach similar or even higher levels of brightness compared to incandescent bulbs but with a much lower energy consumption. This superior energy efficiency makes LEDs a more practical and eco-friendly lighting option.

Color Rendering

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) evaluates how well colors appear under artificial white light when compared to natural sunlight. A higher CRI score indicates that the colors look more natural and similar to how they would appear in sunlight. Incandescent bulbs excel in this, often having a high CRI over 90, making them ideal for tasks requiring accurate color perception. They emit a warm, yellowish light, creating a cozy ambiance.

LEDs, however, may show variations in color perception due to differences in spectral distribution. Some LEDs emit a cooler, bluish light, altering color perception. However, advancements in LED technology have improved color rendering, with some LEDs now offering enhanced color accuracy and consistency.

Flicker 

Incandescent bulbs can flicker due to factors like voltage fluctuations, filament imperfections, or bulb aging. They produce light by heating a tungsten filament, emitting significant heat, and converting only a small portion of electrical energy into visible light.

On the other hand, some LED bulbs may flicker, particularly if they are of lower quality or poorly designed. This can be due to variations in the electrical current or rapid switching of the LED’s semiconductor material. More reasons for flickering are revealed in this article “ Why is my lamp flickering?”

However, high-quality LEDs are designed to minimize or eliminate flicker, providing stable light output. LEDs convert most of the electrical energy into visible light, generating less heat, and making them safer for use in enclosed fixtures or near objects or materials.

Heat

Incandescent bulbs use electricity to create heat, which then produces light. Approximately 90% of the energy consumed by an incandescent bulb is converted into heat, rather than light. As a result, incandescent bulbs can get quite hot during operation, which can be a safety concern, especially in areas where heat build-up can be problematic.

In contrast, LED bulbs are much more efficient at converting energy into light. LEDs release minimal heat and emit very little heat, making them safer to use, especially when you leave LEDs on all night. Although LEDs are slightly resistant to high temperatures (up to 212°F), their overall heat generation is significantly lower than that of incandescent bulbs.

Environmental Impact

Although incandescent bulbs are free of harmful substances, their inefficiency results in greater energy use and a higher output of greenhouse gases. LED lights, on the other hand, are a greener choice. They are devoid of dangerous substances and, thanks to their energy efficiency, they emit less carbon.

Opting for LEDs helps reduce environmental impact and supports sustainability objectives, primarily due to their energy-saving and low carbon-emitting characteristics.

Compatibility

Incandescent bulbs have been the traditional choice for many years and are compatible with a wide range of existing fixtures. They come in various shapes and sizes, including standard A-shape bulbs, globe bulbs, and candelabra bulbs, making them suitable for most common lighting fixtures.

Like incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs come in various shapes and sizes, such as A-shape, PAR, MR16, and candelabra, allowing for easy retrofitting in different types of fixtures.

LED bulbs often have standardized bases, such as E26 or GU10, making them compatible with existing sockets and fixtures, such as table lamps, recessed or flush downlights, etc. Additionally, some LED bulbs are designed to be dimmable, providing flexibility in use with compatible dimmer switches.

Light Distribution

Light distribution patterns refer to how light spreads out as it exits a lighting fixture. In terms of light distribution, incandescent bulbs emit light in all directions, allowing them to illuminate a broader area compared to LEDs.

LED light bulbs provide diverse patterns of light distribution. These patterns are categorized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) into five major types. For commercial and industrial applications, Type III and Type V distributions are commonly used.

• Type III provides a larger area of lighting from a position along the perimeter, with an oval shape and some backlighting. It's ideal for medium-width roadways and general parking areas.
• Type IV offers a flood pattern with a 60-degree lateral width, suitable for illuminating perimeters and building sides, providing efficient forward illumination with minimal backlighting.
• Type V creates a circular pattern, spreading light in all directions with 360-degree symmetry. This makes it perfect for general work or task areas where comprehensive illumination is required, such as center roadways and intersections.

Safety

Incandescent bulbs can become extremely hot if left on for long durations, posing a risk of burns or even igniting flammable materials if not properly secured. Conversely, LEDs generate significantly less heat than traditional incandescents, making them generally safer. Furthermore, LED bulbs are free of hazardous substances, enhancing their safety for both humans and the environment.

Design Flexibility

LEDs are highly versatile lighting options due to their flexibility in shape, size, and color. They can be integrated into stylish furniture, used in intricate lighting installations, and even molded into innovative designs. Thanks to their compact size and customizable nature, LEDs allow for the exploration of various lighting schemes, making them the preferred option for creative projects. However, LED bulbs need fixed sockets or fixtures.

In contrast, incandescent bulbs have limited color options and are larger in size, which can limit their flexibility. Incandescent bulbs are usually crafted from glass and are available in a limited range of shapes, mostly A19- the traditional pear shape. A high-rated point is that incandescent bulbs can be installed flexibly anywhere. 

Dimming Capabilities

Traditional incandescent bulbs have been a popular choice for use with dimmer switches due to their smooth and consistent dimming performance. These bulbs can typically dim lower than LED bulbs, ranging from 10% to 30% of measured light output.

While LEDs also offer dimming capabilities, their performance can be inconsistent and vary depending on the specific bulb and dimmer switch used. Early versions of dimmable LEDs on the market can dim from 5% to 15% measured light.

Incandescent bulbs are a good choice for people who prefer a warm and soft glow and are not too concerned about energy efficiency. They are also more budget-friendly, making them a viable option for those with a tight budget. On the other hand, LED bulbs are an excellent choice for people who value energy efficiency, longevity, and brightness.

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between incandescent vs LED light bulbs for your home, LED bulbs emerge as the clear winner in terms of energy efficiency, longevity, and design versatility. While incandescent bulbs offer a lower upfront cost and a familiar warm glow, their short lifespan and high energy consumption can be drawbacks. Clearly, LED bulbs are the best choice for your home in the present and future.