Last Updated: Jul 9, 2021
Almost everyone knows that LED light bulbs will save you money while also drastically reducing the amount of electricity your home consumes. For ecologically conscious people, changing your light fixtures from traditional incandescent bulbs to LEDs is one of the easiest yet most impactful steps towards a more sustainable home.
According to the Energy Star Certification Program, a 9 watt LED bulb will cost you about $1.26 to run all year, while a 43-watt incandescent bulb will cost you just over six dollars per year. Both emit the same amount of lumens, which measures the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source. LEDs hardly emit any sensible heat, making them safer than incandescent bulbs by reducing the risk of household fires. And, of course, LED light bulbs last five to ten times longer than regular incandescent bulbs.
Despite the widespread knowledge regarding the ecological and economic benefits of switching to LED bulbs, only 29% of American homes report using at least 1 LED light fixture in their home, and a much smaller percentage has made the total switch. Why the resistance to using LEDs in the home if they help the planet and your family budget?
One of the biggest issues that many people have with LED light fixtures is that they dislike light emitted by these bulbs. LED lights emit light in a specific direction towards where we can most aptly use it in our homes. Incandescent lights, however, emit light and heat in all directions, which essentially amounts to a larger amount of energetic waste. Most LED lights emit “cold” white light, which reminds many people of hospitals, grocery stores, or other large commercially lighted buildings.
After decades of using incandescent lights in our homes, many of us have become accustomed to the bright, warm, yellow-tinged light of the incandescent and choose to reject LED lighting despite the obvious benefits. Designer fixtures with an exposed filament and bulb (or multiple bulbs) are part of a statement piece, and design merits of the space, Edison-type incandescent bulbs had been the go-to choice for many homeowners and design pros.
Several companies produce filament-style LED bulbs that look, feel, and emit light almost exactly like incandescent bulbs. This innovation in LED lighting will make it easier for many people to transition to more sustainable lighting fixtures for their homes.
Below you will find a few suggestions for the top Edison-style filament LED bulbs currently being produced and sold by companies with an innovative edge for sustainability.
This five-watt bulb offered by Edison Light Globes is one of the most efficient light bulbs you can find on the market. The bulb contains six pieces of 4-centimeter long filaments reminiscent of an incandescent bulb. The shaped glass is a replica of the old GE incandescent bulbs your family has used for several decades, and the warm light emitted will fill your home with warmth. These bulbs start at $20 each, though you can get discounts for bulk purchases.
This LED light bulb offered by HOAM Lighting costs just over $10 and only uses 6 watts of energy while still filling your home with 4000k of light. Alternatively, you can opt for a similar 8-watt Edison-style bulb for around $12. This bulb emits neutral white light, neither hot nor cold, and is an excellent option for the kitchen and areas.
West Elm is another company offering Edison-style filament LED bulbs. Currently, their bulbs are discounted at $20 each for a bulb that lasts an average of 15,000 hours. This bulb is also compatible with any dimmer switches in your home, which will lead to even greater electricity savings. The warm, neutral white light is much softer than typical LEDs and can be used in any area of the home.
Euri offers a unique Edison-style filament LED bulb. This is one of the most inexpensive filament LED bulbs on the market and can currently be found for only $6.99 here. It is a five-watt bulb with 2,700 kelvins of light produced and will reportedly last 15,000 hours. It would cost the average family under $300 to completely switch to this LED lighting option without detecting and noticeable difference in light quality in your home for under seven dollars each.
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.