Finish Phase|Step 34 of 37
Switch to LED
If you haven't already, now is the time to replace all remaining incandescent and CFL bulbs with LED. The benefits are too significant to ignore.
Time Required
1-2 hours
Cost
$50-$200 total
Difficulty
Very Easy
Why Switch to LED
Energy Savings
LEDs use 75-80% less energy than incandescent. Noticeable impact on electricity bills.
Longevity
LEDs last 15,000-50,000 hours vs 1,000 for incandescent. Years without replacement.
Less Heat
LEDs run cool. Incandescent converts 90% of energy to heat. Safer, more comfortable.
Better Light Quality
Modern LEDs have excellent color rendering. 90+ CRI widely available.
LED Buying Checklist
- Base type: E26 (standard), E12 (candelabra), GU10 (track), etc.
- Shape: A19 (standard), BR30 (flood), PAR38 (outdoor), etc.
- Lumens: Match or exceed what you're replacing.
- Color temperature: 2700K for warm, 3000K for neutral.
- Dimmable: If on a dimmer, must say "dimmable."
- CRI: 90+ for living spaces where color matters.
Room-by-Room Approach
- High-use first: Kitchen, living room, bathrooms used most.
- Hard-to-reach: High ceilings benefit most from long-lasting LEDs.
- Outdoor: LEDs perform well in cold. Instant-on in garages.
- Bulk buy: Once you find a brand you like, buy in bulk for discounts.
- Same brand: Stick with one brand per room for color consistency.
Pro Tips
- •Recycle CFLs properly: CFLs contain mercury. Take to hazardous waste collection.
- •Check dimmer compatibility: Old dimmers may cause LED flickering. May need upgrade.
- •Enclosed fixtures: Some LEDs aren't rated for enclosed fixtures. Check label.
- •Save old bulbs: Keep a few incandescent for temporary use if LED doesn't fit.