When it comes to choosing the best light bulbs for your home or office, you may wonder which type of bulb is more energy-efficient: compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Both are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, but which one is better suited to your needs and your budget? In this CFL vs LED comparison, we will review their energy consumption, lifespan, cost, and color quality, to help you illuminate better. 

CFL Vs LED

The difference between CFL and LED bulbs is not only in their energy consumption but also in how they work.

  • CFL bulbs use a gas-filled tube that emits ultraviolet light when an electric current passes through it. This light then hits a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube, which converts it into visible light.
  • LED bulbs have a semiconductor diode that produces light when electricity flows through it. This light is already visible and does not require any transformation.

LED bulbs last longer, produce less heat, and are more durable than CFL bulbs. LED bulbs are also safer, as they do not contain mercury, which is a toxic substance found in CFL bulbs.

To compare the LED vs CFL power consumption we can use the following formula:

Power consumption = Wattage x Time

Let us assume the power consumption of a 10-watt LED bulb and a 15-watt CFL bulb that are both used for 5 hours a day for a year.

  • Power consumption of LED = 10 x 5 x 365 = 18,250 W
  • Power consumption of CFL = 15 x 5 x 365 = 27,375 W

As we can see, the LED bulb consumes less power than the CFL bulb, as it has a lower wattage. This means that the LED bulb is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than the CFL bulb, as it saves electricity and money. For more details on CFL vs LED cost, check out the upcoming segments.

Also Read: How Much Energy is Saved By Turning Off Lights For One Hour?

CFL Vs LED Lifespan

LED lights: LED vs CFL power consumption

Lifespan is the average number of hours that a light bulb can operate before it fails. The longer the lifespan, the more durable the light bulb is. LED bulbs have longer lifespan than CFL bulbs, which means that they need to be replaced less frequently and save more money on maintenance costs. LED bulbs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and 2.5 times longer than CFL bulbs.

When comparing energy saving CFL bulbs vs LED bulbs, you should consider not only how long they last, but also how well they work. CFL bulbs often become dimmer and less efficient as they age, and they may start to flicker or stop working before their expected lifespan. LED bulbs, on the other hand, keep their brightness and efficiency for their entire lifetime, and they do not have any problems with flickering or failing unexpectedly.

Also See: 20+ Eco-Friendly Inventions for the Future That Could Save the Planet

CFL Vs LED Vs Incandescent Bulb Cost

Apart from LED vs CFL power consumption comparison and lifespan, another factor to consider when choosing between CFL and LED bulbs is their cost. LED bulbs are more expensive than CFL bulbs initially, but cheaper over time. The initial cost of an LED bulb is about $8, while the cost of a CFL bulb is around $2. However, as LED bulbs have lower operating costs and longer lifespans than CFL bulbs they are more cost-effective than CFL bulbs in the long run.

Suppose, the average annual energy cost of a 60-watt incandescent bulb is around $4.80, while the cost of a 14-watt CFL bulb is around $1.20, and the cost of a 10-watt LED bulb is $1.00. This means that by replacing one incandescent bulb with an LED bulb, you can save $3.80 per year. If you replace 10 bulbs, you can save approximately $38 per year. If you replace 100 bulbs, you can save $380 per year. Over the lifespan of the LED bulb, which is about 25,000 hours, you can save $87.40 per bulb.

Here’s a table to show the comparison between energy saving CFL vs usual LEDs vs incandescent bulb’s energy cost assuming they are turned on for 5 hours a day @ $0.10 per kWh.

ParametersLEDCFLIncandescent
Cost per bulb$2.50$2.40$1.25
Wattage10W14W60W
Average Lifespan (hours)25,00090001000
Average Annual Energy Cost$1.83$2.56$10.95
Total cost (50,000 hours)$55.00$83.20$362.50

Furthermore, while going through CFL vs LED vs incandescent comparison, note that LED bulbs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 25% less energy than CFL bulbs. This means that LED bulbs can save you more money on your electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

You can also check out How to Set Up Smart Light Bulb in Your Home?

To compare the total cost of LED, CFL, and Incandescent bulbs over time, you can also use the following formula:

Total cost = (Purchase price x Number of bulbs) + (Operating cost x Number of years)

Here, operating cost is the amount of money that you spend on electricity to run the light bulb for a certain period. It is calculated by multiplying the power, the time, and the price of electricity.

You can also calculate your energy usage by using this Calculator.

Some LED bulbs have additional features, such as dimming, color changing, smart control, and compatibility with different fixtures. These features can make the LED bulbs more expensive, but also more versatile and convenient. You can choose the LED bulbs that suit your preferences and purposes, and enjoy the benefits of their energy efficiency and longevity.

Must Read: 15+Types of Landscape Lighting

Which Light Bulb is More Efficient: Fluorescent or Incandescent?

What is Incandescent Light Bulb: CFL Vs LED: Which is More Energy Efficient

Fluorescent and Incandescent bulbs are the two main types of lighting technologies that preceded LED bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but less efficient than LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are the least efficient of all and also have the shortest lifespan.

The efficiency of a light bulb is measured by its luminous efficacy, which is the ratio of the light output (lumens) to the power input (watts). The more light a bulb produces per watt of power, the more efficient it is. Fluorescent bulbs have a luminous efficacy of 50 to 100 lumens per watt, while incandescent bulbs have a luminous efficacy of 10 to 20 lumens per watt. Fluorescent bulbs can produce more light with less energy than incandescent bulbs.

In the table below we will consider lumens and wattage and compare LED vs CFL vs incandescent light bulbs.

Brightness (Lumens)Incandescent (Watts)CFL (Watts)LED (Watts)
200-300lm25W4-6W3-4W
650-850lm60W13-18W7-10W
1000-1400lm75W18-22W12-13W
1800-2500lm150W30-55W18-25W

From this CFL vs LED vs incandescent comparison table, it is clear that fluorescent bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs in terms of both luminous efficacy and lifespan. However, LED bulbs are even more efficient than fluorescent bulbs.

Also See: 7 Advantages of Smart Bulbs Over Regular LED Bulbs

LED Vs Fluorescent Vs Incandescent Color Profile

CFL vs LED vs incandescent

LED bulbs have a higher color rendering index (CRI) and color temperature (CCT) than CFL and incandescent bulbs. CRI is a measure of how accurately a light source can reveal the true colors of objects, while CCT is a measure of how warm or cool a light source is. The higher the CRI and CCT, the better the color quality and variety of the light source.

To compare CFL vs LED vs incandescent color profile, go through this table.

Bulb TypeCRI CCT (Kelvin)
LED bulbs80-902,700-6,500
CFL60-802,700-5,000
Incandescent1002,700

This means that LED bulbs can show the colors of objects more realistically and vividly than CFL bulbs, and almost as well as incandescent bulbs. Moreover, LED bulbs can produce a range of colors, from warm white to cool white, while CFL bulbs can produce mostly cool/neutral white colors, and incandescent bulbs can produce only warm white colors.

Also, take a look at the Best Color Light for Reading and Studying.

The color quality and variety of light bulbs can affect the mood and atmosphere of different settings. For example, warm white colors are suitable for cozy and relaxing spaces, such as living rooms and bedrooms, while cool white colors are suitable for bright and stimulating spaces, such as kitchens and offices. You can choose the color temperature that matches your desired ambiance and function, and enjoy the aesthetic and psychological effects of lighting.

CFL vs LED is no longer a debate anymore. Almost every piece of equipment and even automobiles come equipped with LEDs due to their smaller size, better efficiency, and longevity. Therefore, there is no doubt that LED is the better choice for your lighting needs.

Source: Comparing Light Bulbs

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Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet's long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.

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