Popular Keywords
News
The strategy in coping with the rising power cost (2):Analysis of cost variances between LED light bulbs and CFL
To analyze it by the approach of cost variances
In order to investigate how much energy will be saved by using compact fluorescent lamps and LED light bulbs, “LEDinside” has conducted a survey on the prices and specifications of compact fluorescent lamps and LED light bulbs. Some incandescent lamps have also been used for in-depth comparison. The comparable standards include “luminous efficiency”, “ power cost”, “lamp cost”, and the “total cost”.
Comparable Standard 1- Luminous Efficacy
Generally speaking, each lamp owns similar lumens; therefore, the key in telling the difference of each light source will be based on the “power consumption”. For incandescent lamps, each of them has a 60W power-consumption. When converted into the luminous efficiency, it is 12 lumens. It is the most inefficient light source among the other two sources. In the current period, compact fluorescent lamp is still the most efficient light source, which is 56 lumens.
Technically speaking, the average luminous efficacy of LED light bulbs should be roughly between 70~80 (Lm/W), which is better than compact fluorescent lamp’s. However, according to the information gathered from internet and other sources, the present LED light bulb market is merely 50 (Lm/W). The reason is because LEDs have a high “directivity”. It is too harsh to the eye; therefore, in order to adjust its light direction, the LED light bulbs for indoor spaces should be coated. Thus, its luminous efficacy will decrease by 25~30%, which is almost the same as compact fluorescent lamps.
Comparable Standard 2- Power Cost
The power cost is closely linked to the luminous efficiency. Based on the average power cost in the US, which is USD 8.98 (per kilowatt hour) computed by EIA (Energy Information Administration) this January, the power cost of 11W compact fluorescent lamp with a 620 lumen (average luminance distribution) will cost USD 9.88 dollars (per 10000 hrs). Under the same calculating standard, the LED light bulb will cost USD 11.13 dollars (per 10000 hrs), and the incandescent lamp is USD 46.37 dollars (per 10000 hrs).
Comparable Standard 3- Lamp Cost
In terms of the lamp cost, since the PLC (Product Life Cycle) development of the incandescent lamp is during the mature stage of a lower price, which costs merely 6 US dollars (per 10000 hrs), and is 79% cheaper than that of the compact fluorescent lamp. However, when under the same calculating standard, the cost of LED light bulb will be 55 US dollars and is 83% higher than that of compact fluorescent lamp, which is 30 US dollars (per 10000 hrs).
Comparable Standard 4- Total Cost
After considering the luminous efficacy and its lifetime, we will find that after adding up the lamp cost and power cost (per 10000 hrs), the compact fluorescent lamp still has the highest power when compared to others. Moreover, if the customers have sufficient budgets and are also “tech-savvy”, they can consider purchasing the LED light bulb.
Previous: The strategy in coping with the rising power cost (1): Let’s get started by changing LED lamps
