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Many small businesses are considering retrofitting their lighting to save energy and cut costs. But what light source is better CFL or LED? Take a look.
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CFL vs LED
•Brightness
•Color
•Cost (Upfront and lifetime)
Comparison Metrics
CFL and LED Broad Categories
CFL
Plug-In Screw-In
Ballast is part of Light Fixture Ballast built into lamp
Better Dimming with compatible ballast
Dimming is possible, not as reliable. Only with “dimmable”
lamps.
Fixtures require specific lamp type to function properly.
Usually any screw-in CFL will work.
Overall: Better performance over time and with dimming
however a tighter specification is required.
Overall: Lesser performance over time and poorer
dimmability, but easily replaced for different light
source without replacement fixture.
LED
Integral Screw-In
Lighted LEDs are separated from transformer gear. Both are required to create a complete
fixture.
LEDs and transformer are integrated into one light source
which is powered by the fixture’s screw-in socket.
Better Dimming performance with correctly specified power
supplies and dimmers.
Dimming is possible with standard gear but not as
reliable.
Usually a complete fixture must be specified to work properly,
LEDs power supply components and dimming components are
all part of LED fixture.
Sources are design to screw into any fixture with a medium
screw base.
Overall: Better performance from a well-specified system
with the capability to customize to specific needs. Higher cost, more difficult to
replace components
Overall: Good performance as a light source. Not
customizable but lower cost of entry assuming you
already have fixtures with screw-in sockets.
CFL vs LED Brightness
All light sources are capable of getting very bright. What matters
for your business is how much energy do they consume to make
light. The chart to the right compares how much light (lumens)
per a single watt of electricity used.
CFL vs. LEDColor
Figures to the right are based on averages taken
from experience. LEDs vary WIDELY in color quality. It should also be noted that
many consider CRI an antiquated scale to discuss
color quality.
CFL vs. LEDUpfront Cost
CFL vs. LEDLifetime cost
This is a very simple example based on a small cafe which has a total of
18 recessed down lights in it’s ceiling. The example looks at the 10 year cost of CFL versus LED when
you combine replacement cost and electrical cost.
This model assumes the cost of LEDs and electricity remains static over a
decade.
CFL vs. LEDLifetime cost
The truth is over the last decade electricity prices have gone up on
average 2.9% per year. Here we see that LED actually saves money
over time despite higher replacement costs.
So What’s Right For Your Business?
How long will your business be in it’s current location?
The longer you plan on staying the more you should consider LED.
What kind of business are you running? Does great color and dimming matter?
If so, you might want to consider LED.
Is Energy Conservation a core value of your business?
There’s no comparison - for energy savings always go with LED.
Need More Information on CFL vs.
LED?Feel free to contact me.
James Bedell
@jamesbedell
