Are you wondering why people don’t like switching to LED lightbulbs? There are many reasons people may avoid making the switch (and we’ll talk about them in detail). However, you may also wonder if switching to LED light bulbs is worth it.
Some people do not like switching to LED bulbs because they are unfamiliar, more expensive, and cast a harsher light. However, most of these complaints are misconceptions. LED light bulbs pay for themselves, and their light looks no different from modern light bulbs.
LED lightbulbs became popular years ago; however, they’ve slowly begun to catch on in greater numbers. What’s holding some people back from using LED? Should you make the switch? We’ll talk about this and more in the sections below.
Why Don’t People Like LED light bulbs?
There are many reasons people avoid LED lightbulbs. The main reason probably comes down to cost. People go looking for a light bulb at the store, and instead of paying a dollar, they see they need to pay much more than that to buy an LED, so naturally, they just grab the cheapest option.
But is it cheaper in the long run? We’ll talk about all these myths and misconceptions below.
Here are the reasons people don’t like LED bulbs:
- Expensive
- White light
- Funny look
- New and unfamiliar
- Flickering
- Compatibility of LEDs and dimmers
Below, we’ll look closer, and we’ll offer some solutions.
LED Bulbs are Expensive
This is simply a myth of perception. Do you know the friend who is always only placing a dollar or two of gas in their vehicle? They never want to fill up because it “costs too much money.”
But they are spending more money on gas in the long run, as they make daily detours to the gas station. It would be more efficient to keep the gas tank full – that’s why they say, “it costs just as much to keep the tank full” (and you don’t need to worry about running out of gas!).
While LED lights do cost several times more per bulb, they also last several times longer and use less energy.
In fact, it’s common for regular lightbulbs to burn out after just a year or less. On the other hand, the LED light bulb can last for many, many years. Furthermore, the LED uses less energy during that time frame. So, when you buy LED bulbs, not only will they last longer and use less energy, but you’ll save time and frustration.
You don’t need to constantly buy more light bulbs and spend time installing them – which, for some fixtures, can be a cumbersome process. As they say, time is money, and so are ineffective light bulbs.
However, this isn’t the only reason people don’t love LED bulbs. Though this reason probably doesn’t have much merit, there are other reasons that may.
LED Light is Too White
Some people who have used LED bulbs have noticed that they are usually whiter and brighter than regular incandescent light bulbs. As such, some people feel that these LED bulbs make their home feel like a hospital operating room or a chemical laboratory. People are accustomed to warmer light.
Well, it used to be that most LED lights were whiter and less warm, but these days they look exactly the same as the regular light bulbs. In fact, they usually come in all sorts of hues and designs. You no longer need to worry about that “cold” light.
Alright, let’s talk about another reason some people don’t like LEDs.
LED Lights Have a Funny Look
Some of the earlier LED bulbs had a signature squiggly look, almost like an ice cream cone. Some people feel that this doesn’t look as appealing as a traditional lightbulb.
While this isn’t an issue in most fixtures, which are usually covered by a shade or fogged glass, it can be a problem for open bulbs.
As it turns out, these days, LED bulbs don’t need to have this squiggly look; they can look just like regular bulbs. So, again, this is more of an old myth that’s carried on from the past rather than an actual issue.
LED Lights Sometimes Flicker
Probably one of the most credible issues with the LED light is the possibility of flickering. There are several types of flickering (we’ll talk about the second type in the next section).
The first type of flicker is the natural process of an LED light. LEDs turn on an off rapidly, so fast this flicker isn’t visible under normal conditions, but it can be an issue for some quick eye movements, called saccades (the eye can move in very rapid movements. This is one reason when we read; our eyes tend to jump from word to word rather than move smoothly).
When our eyes are making a “saccade” over an LED, our eyes can pick up rapid flickers in some cases, even subconsciously. Some people have stated that they are more likely to have headaches around an LED bulb.
Again, this might not be an issue for most people, but it is possibly a reason (true or not) why some people have avoided LEDs.
LED Compatibility with Switches and Dimming
The newer LED lights are not always compatible with older dimmer switches. In fact, not all new LED bulbs are made to be dimmed. This can present a couple of issues that cause flickering.
First, if the bulb isn’t made to be dimmed, but it’s placed with a dimmer switch, you could notice some flickering. This can be very annoying for people and requires that you buy LED bulbs that are made for a dimmer switch.
Second, if the dimmer switch isn’t compatible with LEDs, you could also have flickering. The light will usually still turn on, but for the dimmer function to work properly, you’ll need a new switch.
Thankfully, neither of these issues is a huge problem.
LEDs are New and Unfamiliar
Ever since the first light bulbs were mass-produced, people have been buying them, and they’ve become used to incandescent bulbs. Just like we buy eggs, milk, and batteries, we’re used to buying light bulbs.
When a new product comes along (one that’s more expensive and looks funny and different), people aren’t likely to make the jump right away.
However, the good news is that more and more people are using LED bulbs, and LED bulbs are getting better and cheaper.
Let’s look at some quick facts on why using LEDs can be a big improvement on regular bulbs!
Reasons to Switch to LEDs
We’ve talked about why people don’t want to switch to LEDs, so it’s only fair that we talk about why many people choose LED bulbs. Below, we’ll list some of the most common reasons. As you’ll see, LED lighting offers many benefits.
Reasons people like LED lights:
- Small
- Bright
- Long-lasting
- Energy Saving
More info is below.
LED Lights are Small and Convenient
Many people use LED lighting for places that are difficult to place a bulb. Regular lights usually need a bulb and a socket, but with LEDs, you can place a light just about anywhere. Not only that, but small LED lights can still be really bright and last a long time.
Can you guess another place LED lighting is popular? Christmas lights. In the past, there were concerns about Christmas lights burning out quickly or even catching fire. You don’t have this issue with LEDs.
LED Lights are Bright
Many people like the added brightness of LED lights. These lights work well, even without reflectors. One area LED lighting is common, even for those few people who don’t like them, is outdoor security lights. These lights are often set up with motion sensors, and they can shine a powerful light that scares away raccoons and burglars.
As you might expect, LED lights are also common in flashlights, able to cast a strong beam that will last a long time.
LED Lights are Long Lasting
LED lights last much longer than regular incandescent light bulbs. In fact, LEDs can last over five times longer – many LEDs last up to ten years. As we discussed, this really changes the game, as you don’t need to constantly change bulbs.
Not only are LEDs longer lasting from an energy standpoint, but they’re also more durable than regular bulbs. We’ve all seen a light bulb shatter on the ground, spraying into thousands of sharp pieces of glass. With LED lights, this is less of an issue.
Also, LED lights don’t create nearly as much heat. With older style bulbs, there are times when people have been burned accidentally touching them (or fires were started!). You still need to be careful with LED lights, but they’re much less likely to cause serious burns.
LED Bulbs are Energy Efficient
Finally, LED bulbs are super energy efficient compared to other light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs use only a small percentage of their energy on the actual light – most of the energy is wasted on heat!
With LED lights, you can be assured that your electric bill will come down. In the long run, LED bulbs easily pay for themselves, making them a popular choice for all homeowners.