The Simplest Way to Cut Your Electricity Bill Starting Today
If you’re still using incandescent or CFL bulbs in your Louisiana home, you’re spending far more on lighting than you need to. LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, and the energy savings are substantial. For the average household, switching to LED lighting throughout the home can reduce lighting energy costs by 75 percent or more—translating to savings of $200 to $500 per year depending on the size of your home and how many lights you use.
At CR Electric LLC, we’ve been helping homeowners across Harahan, Covington, and the greater New Orleans metro area upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting for over 25 years. Whether you need a few bulb swaps or a comprehensive lighting redesign, our licensed master electricians can help you maximize your savings while improving the look and functionality of your home’s lighting.
How LED Lighting Saves You Money
The energy savings from LED lighting come down to simple physics. A traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens of light while converting roughly 90 percent of its energy into heat—only 10 percent becomes visible light. An LED bulb produces the same 800 lumens using just 8-10 watts, converting a much higher percentage of energy into light rather than heat.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Let’s look at a typical Louisiana home with 30 light fixtures, each used an average of 5 hours per day:
- Incandescent (60W each): 30 bulbs x 60W x 5 hours x 365 days = 3,285 kWh per year. At Louisiana’s average residential rate of approximately $0.12/kWh, that’s $394 per year just for lighting
- LED (10W each): 30 bulbs x 10W x 5 hours x 365 days = 548 kWh per year. At the same rate, that’s $66 per year for lighting
- Annual savings: $328
That’s real money back in your pocket every single month. And those savings only increase if you have more fixtures, use lights more frequently, or have higher electricity rates. Many Louisiana homeowners see even greater savings during summer months when they run lights in the evening while the AC is still working hard—because LEDs produce far less heat, your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to compensate.
LED Bulbs Last Dramatically Longer
Beyond energy savings, LED bulbs last far longer than their predecessors:
- Incandescent bulbs: approximately 1,000 hours
- CFL bulbs: approximately 8,000-10,000 hours
- LED bulbs: approximately 25,000-50,000 hours
At 5 hours of daily use, a single LED bulb can last 13 to 27 years. That means fewer trips to the store, fewer bulbs in the landfill, and zero hassle from burned-out bulbs in hard-to-reach fixtures like vaulted ceilings, stairwells, and exterior floodlights.
Beyond Bulb Swaps: LED Upgrade Opportunities
Simply replacing your existing bulbs with LED equivalents is a great start, but there are many other LED upgrade opportunities that can improve both efficiency and aesthetics throughout your home.
Recessed Lighting (Can Lights)
If your home has recessed lighting with older incandescent or halogen flood lights, LED retrofit kits or LED-integrated recessed fixtures can dramatically reduce energy use while providing better, more even light distribution. Modern LED recessed lights are available in multiple color temperatures, from warm white (2700K) for living areas to daylight (5000K) for kitchens and workspaces. Many are also dimmable, allowing you to set the perfect ambiance for any room.
Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting
LED strip lights and LED puck lights are ideal for under-cabinet kitchen lighting. They provide bright, even task lighting for food preparation while using minimal energy and producing almost no heat. This is especially appreciated in Louisiana kitchens during the summer months when every bit of extra heat makes the AC work harder.
Outdoor and Landscape Lighting
LED landscape lighting, security lights, and pathway lights are a smart investment for Louisiana homeowners. They run for pennies per day, withstand our humid climate better than older technologies, and many are available with dusk-to-dawn sensors or smart controls. Well-designed outdoor lighting improves safety, curb appeal, and home security.
Ceiling Fan Light Kits
Ceiling fans are essential in Louisiana homes, and many older fans use small candelabra-base incandescent bulbs that burn out frequently and produce unnecessary heat. Replacing these with LED candelabra bulbs is a quick and impactful upgrade.
Smart LED Lighting
Smart LED bulbs and switches allow you to control your lighting from your phone, set schedules, adjust color temperature throughout the day, and integrate with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home. Smart lighting can further reduce energy use by ensuring lights are only on when and where you need them. CR Electric can install smart switches and dimmers that work with your existing wiring and don’t require a neutral wire in the switch box—a common issue in older Louisiana homes.
Choosing the Right LED Products
Not all LED bulbs and fixtures are created equal. Here’s what to look for when selecting LED products for your home:
Color Temperature (Kelvins)
- 2700K (Warm White): The closest match to traditional incandescent light. Ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms where a warm, cozy atmosphere is desired
- 3000K (Soft White): Slightly brighter and crisper than 2700K. Works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways
- 4000K (Cool White): A neutral, clean white. Good for garages, workshops, and laundry rooms
- 5000K (Daylight): Bright, bluish-white light that mimics natural daylight. Best for task lighting, reading areas, and security lighting
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
CRI measures how accurately a light source renders colors compared to natural light. Look for LED products with a CRI of 90 or higher for the most natural, appealing light quality. This is especially important in kitchens, bathrooms, and closets where you want colors to appear true and vibrant.
Dimmability
If you have dimmer switches, make sure you purchase LEDs that are labeled as dimmable. Not all LED bulbs work with all dimmer switches. Older dimmer switches designed for incandescent bulbs may cause LED bulbs to flicker, buzz, or not dim properly. CR Electric can replace older dimmers with LED-compatible models for smooth, silent dimming.
Energy Star Certification
Energy Star certified LED products meet strict efficiency and quality standards set by the EPA. They must maintain their light output over time, produce consistent color, and meet minimum warranty requirements. Choosing Energy Star products ensures you’re getting reliable performance.
Common Concerns About LED Lighting
Are LEDs Really Worth the Higher Upfront Cost?
LED bulbs cost more per unit than incandescent bulbs, but the payback period is extremely short. A $3 LED bulb that replaces a $1 incandescent bulb pays for itself in reduced electricity costs within 2-3 months. After that, every hour of use is pure savings. Over the lifetime of the LED bulb, you’ll save $50 to $100 per bulb compared to incandescent replacements.
Will LEDs Work with My Existing Fixtures?
In most cases, yes. LED bulbs are available in every standard base size (E26, E12, GU10, etc.) and in shapes that fit virtually any fixture. For recessed lighting, retrofit kits are designed to fit into existing housings. Your CR Electric electrician can assess your fixtures and recommend the best LED products for each one.
Do LEDs Work Well in Louisiana’s Heat?
LEDs actually perform better in moderate temperatures than in extreme heat. For enclosed outdoor fixtures in direct Louisiana sun, look for LEDs rated for enclosed fixtures. For most indoor applications and ventilated outdoor fixtures, standard LEDs perform exceptionally well in our climate.
Professional LED Lighting Services from CR Electric
While swapping individual bulbs is a simple DIY task, many LED upgrades benefit from professional installation. CR Electric provides comprehensive LED lighting services including:
- Whole-home lighting assessments and energy savings calculations
- Recessed lighting installation and LED retrofit
- Dimmer switch replacement for LED compatibility
- Outdoor and landscape LED lighting design and installation
- Under-cabinet and accent lighting installation
- Smart lighting system setup and configuration
- Commercial LED retrofits for businesses
Learn more about our LED lighting installation and upgrade services.
Ready to start saving on your electricity bill? Call CR Electric at (504) 737-6024 (Southshore) or (985) 400-8141 (Northshore), or request a free lighting consultation. We’ll assess your home’s lighting and show you exactly how much you can save by switching to LED.
