Are you interested in conserving energy and reducing your monthly utility bills all at once? There are plenty of home improvement projects you could tackle to help you accomplish each of these goals. But, one of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is by upgrading the lighting. Before you commit to making the switch to energy efficient lighting, make sure you understand these pros and cons:

Pro: Saves Energy

Obviously, one of the major pros of using energy efficient lighting is the fact that it uses far less energy than traditional lights. Energy efficient bulbs use about 25-80% less energy than traditional bulbs, which means you will save a significant amount of energy every month just from making this switch.

Con: More Expensive

One of the main setbacks of energy efficient lighting is the cost. Each compact fluorescent bulb can cost anywhere from $2 to $15, and the 100-watt LED bulbs can go up to $50 each. Traditional bulbs are much more inexpensive, so many people are turned off by the price of the energy efficient options.

Pro: Lasts Longer

Energy efficient bulbs last much longer than traditional lights. In fact, they have been proven to last between 3-25 times longer. This means even though you will have to pay more upfront to buy the energy efficient bulbs, you won’t have to replace them as often, so you are actually saving money down the road. Not only does the lifespan save you money, but it also saves you from the headache of constantly having to replace light bulbs in your home. This is a huge timesaver, especially if the bulbs are in hard to reach places.

Con: Harder to Find Dimmers

If you’re the kind of person who likes to set the mood with a dim light, you may have to look a bit harder to find an energy efficient bulb that has the ability to dim down. Don’t worry, though, these bulbs definitely do exist, you just have to read the back of every package to ensure you are choosing one that is compatible with your dimmer.

Pro: Emits Less Heat

Have you ever hovered your hand above a light bulb that is turned on? If so, you’ve probably felt the heat emitting from the light bulb’s surface. Traditional bulbs spend about 90% of their energy on heat and 10% on producing light. Many people worry about their children being injured if they accidentally make contact with the hot surface of a bulb, but you don’t have to worry about this with an energy efficient choice. Energy efficient bulbs do not emit as much heat, so they won’t be incredibly hot to the touch.

Pro: Saves Money

Over time, you will begin to save money by using energy efficient bulbs. In fact, it is estimated that you will save $75 per year if you change the five most frequently used bulbs in your home to energy efficient lights.

Overall, the pros of using energy efficient lighting definitely outweigh the cons. Spend a little time upgrading the lighting in your home so you can enjoy the environmental and financial benefits for years to come!