Light bulbs are one of the most common appliances found in our homes that are used for quite a generous amount of time. You might be surprised to know that light bulbs too play a role in polluting the environment. As per several studies, LEDs have been deemed to be a more safe and clean source of illumination than light bulbs. In this blog, let us discuss how much CO2 does a light bulb produce per hour and understand the role of LED lights in combating greenhouse emission.
How Much CO2 Does a Light Bulb Produce Per Hour?
The type of bulb and the electrical source used to power it both affect how much CO2 is created by a light bulb. CO2 emissions are not produced by light bulbs themselves. The method of generation of the electricity that powers the light bulb is linked to CO2 emissions. The source of electricity which is used affects how much CO2 is emitted per hour. The amount of carbon that each fuel contains varies, and different power plants use diverse fuels to produce energy. A few estimated estimations of CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity produced from various traditional sources are listed below:
- Coal: Approximately 870 grams of CO2 per kWh.
- Natural Gas: Around 487 grams of CO2 per kWh.
- Oil: Roughly 650 grams of CO2 per kWh.
- Nuclear energy: Approximately 16 grams of CO2 per kWh.
You would need to be aware of the wattage of the light bulb and the type of power used in your region to calculate how much CO2 does a light bulb produce per hour. You can also checkout how much energy is saved by turning off lights for one hour.
Let us compare the real amount of carbon dioxide gas released as a result of utilizing US grid electricity to power a 60 W incandescent bulb, a 14 W equivalent CFL bulb, and a 7 W equivalent LED bulb for 24 hours. A cube 1†6†high represents the compact fluorescent light bulb. The other volumes have the same base area.
- 60W Incandescent bulb: 60 W ×— 24 hours = 1.44 kWh = 0.798 kg CO2(e)
- 14W CFL bulb: 14 W ×— 24 hours = 0.336 kWh = 0.186 kg CO2(e)
- 7W LED bulb: 7W ×— 24 hours = 0.168 kWh = 0.093 kg CO2(e)
This calculation is done for 24 hours. In order to find the same for an hour, you don’t need to multiply the wattage by 24 hours. The conversion coefficient used here is 0.554 kg.CO2(e)/kWh. This is a weighted average of the coefficients reported for every eGRID subregion for 2009 (weighted by total energy output and emissions).
How Much CO2 Do LED Lights Save?
The least amount of CO2 is released by LED bulbs. Each year, incandescent bulbs produce 4,500 lbs of CO2 and CFLs emit 1,051 lbs. less carbon dioxide annually. 451 lbs of CO2 are only produced annually by LED bulbs. So, how much CO2 is saved by LED lights in a year? The Environmental Protection Agency calculated that switching only one light bulb in every home in the United States to an LED bulb could save the emission of greenhouse gas emissions by 9 billion pounds annually.
Also Read: Do Ceiling Fans Save Energy in Winter?
Do LED Lights Reduce Carbon Emissions?
After knowing how much CO2 does a light bulb produce per hour, let us look at the role of LED lights in reducing carbon emissions. So, yes, LED lights do reduce carbon emissions. The simplest method to do this is to switch from conventional fluorescent lighting to LED, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions and result in a more energy-efficient home and workplace. Compared to an ordinary incandescent bulb, LED lighting uses less than 80% of the energy. Because so little fossil fuel is used to create it, this alone will help you reduce your carbon impact.
Note that the average LED bulb lasts about 50,000 hours while only using 6-8 watts of energy, making them more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs. On the other hand, 60-watt incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of 1,200 hours. When compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs perform marginally better, lasting 8,000 hours and using 13 to 15 watts. Fewer light bulbs will wind up in landfills as a result of the conversion to LEDs, resulting in less waste. Since you will need to buy fewer bulbs over time, LEDs will also save you money in the long term.
Therefore, when compared to halogen and CFL lamps, LED bulbs consume about 15 times less electricity than halogen bulbs and 3 times less than CFL bulbs. LED light bulbs consume significantly less power for the same amount of light, over the same period of time. Because electricity generation produces CO2, using less energy lowers your carbon footprint.
Cross-Reference: LED lights can help save the planet, one bulb at a time
What are the Environmental Benefits of LED Lights?
Compared to conventional lights and bulbs, LED lights are more environmentally friendly and offer a number of advantages. Here are some explanations for why LEDs are more environmentally friendly.
1. Energy Saving: Energy-saving LED lighting is available. They cut down on energy use by around 80%. They don’t need to heat up in order to emit light, therefore they use extremely little energy.
2. No Hazardous Materials: LED lights are free of any harmful components. Since LED lights don’t contain mercury like other conventional bulbs do, they are the safest option.
Also See: Soft White Vs. Warm White: Which Should You Use in Your Home?
3. Reduced Carbon-Dioxide Emission: Compared to conventional bulbs, which use a lot of energy, emit gases, and produce waste, LED lights use a lot less energy and significantly lower emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide, and nuclear waste.
4. Recyclable: The majority of the materials used to make LED lights are recyclable. They are simple to deconstruct and discard. They contribute to a decrease in hazardous and e-waste because they may be recycled.
5. Durable: LED lights are more durable than glass bulbs because they are constructed of plastic. They endure longer because they are less likely to break.
6. Long Lifespan: Compared to incandescent and CFL lights, the benefits of LED lights are immense as they have an incredibly long lifespan. They have a lifespan of up to 50000 hours, much beyond the 750-hour lifespan of incandescent bulbs and the 15-year lifespan of CFLs.
7. Save Money: LED lighting reduces the cost of your electricity bill. Because it doesn’t generate heat and uses a lot less energy, which lowers energy costs.
After going through this article, you know the harmful effects of using light bulbs and how much CO2 they produce per hour. Remember that you can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing the right bulb type and energy source. You can opt for energy-efficient options like LEDs to control CO2 emissions, contributing to a greener world.
Source: DOE Moves Toward Ensuring Light Bulbs Save Energy, but Hurdles Remain
