Which lamp is more cost-effective for incandescent, energy-saving, and LED lights?
On May 7, a report on the gradual price reduction of LED lights quietly gained attention in the market for energy-saving lamps. "There are incandescent, energy-saving, and LED bulbs available. I’m not sure about their lighting effects or which is more cost-effective," said Mr. Zhao after reading the report. He called the newspaper hotline, hoping that the reporter could conduct an experiment to help analyze which bulb is the most economical choice.
The day before, the reporter visited the China Saibao (Ningbo) laboratory to test three common types of bulbs: incandescent, energy-saving, and LED. Reporter Yang Jiang was present during the testing process.
**Picking High-Quality LED Lights – The “Four Looks†Method**
As LED lights become more affordable, the variety on the market can be overwhelming for consumers. To help choose quality products, Wang Linkang, secretary general of the Municipal Lighting Association, advised using visual inspection and simple tests.
First, check the packaging. Legally required information such as voltage, power, and frequency must be clearly printed. High-quality LED bulbs have clean, durable labels, while low-quality ones often have unclear text or no certifications at all.
Second, observe the LED tube. When multiple LEDs are placed together, they should appear uniform. Poor quality bulbs may show uneven brightness or unsafe designs, such as rounded screw interfaces that pose a risk of electric shock.
Third, feel the temperature. After turning on the LED for a few minutes, it should remain cool to the touch. If it becomes hot quickly, it may have a shorter lifespan and lower efficiency.
Fourth, perform an interference test. Place a radio near the LED while it's running. A high-quality LED will emit minimal noise, while a poor one may cause noticeable interference.
**Test Preparation**
To determine which bulb is the most energy-efficient, the reporter purchased three common types: an incandescent lamp (100W), an energy-saving lamp (20W, equivalent to 100W incandescent), and an LED lamp (9W, equivalent to 100W incandescent). Prices ranged from 3 to 50 yuan.
The test was conducted using a large 3-meter integrating sphere, one of the largest photometric instruments in the city. This device measures light output, color temperature, and other key parameters accurately.
**Test Results (1): Energy Efficiency and Longevity**
During the test, the incandescent lamp consumed 92.56 watts, the energy-saving lamp used 18.65 watts, and the LED only used 9.237 watts. Despite its higher initial cost, the LED proved to be the most energy-efficient over time.
Considering lifespan, LED bulbs last over 20,000 hours, compared to just 1,000 hours for incandescent and 6,000 hours for energy-saving lamps. Over 1,000 hours of use, the electricity cost for incandescent was 46.28 yuan, energy-saving was 9.325 yuan, and LED was only 4.67 yuan.
**Test Results (2): Brightness and Light Quality**
In terms of brightness, the LED outperformed both the incandescent and energy-saving lamps. Even though it only used 9 watts, the LED emitted 1,021 lumens, compared to 934.04 lumens from the incandescent.
The incandescent had a warm, soft glow with a color temperature of 2,665K, while the energy-saving and LED lamps had a cooler tone around 6,000K. The energy-saving lamp also caused more glare when viewed directly.
After 10 minutes of use, the incandescent was extremely hot, the energy-saving lamp was warm but manageable, and the LED remained barely warm. This highlights the superior efficiency of LED technology.
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