OFFICE LIGHTING, CAR PARKS, SHOPS, PUBLIC PLACES… SWITCH TO LED!
Is the cost of replacing all my light bulbs with LEDs worth it?
Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs can have a significant impact on your energy bill, as they consume far less energy. On average, incandescent bulbs cost about five times more to run than LED bulbs.
Cost of use
LED bulbs consume less energy (in continuous operation) than incandescent bulbs. Let’s take the example of two bulbs with similar brightness: a 60W incandescent bulb and a 12W LED bulb.
Here are the calculations in detail:
A 60W incandescent bulb consumes 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every 1,000 hours.
A 12W LED bulb consumes 12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every 1,000 hours.
In 2026, the average price of electricity in French-speaking Switzerland is approximately CHF 0.28 per kWh.
At this price, the cost of using the incandescent bulb for 1,000 hours would be CHF 16.80.
The cost of using the LED bulb for the same duration would be only CHF 3.36.
Lifetime
LED bulbs last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. The Department of Energy states that a 60-watt incandescent bulb has a lifespan of approximately 1,000 hours. A 12-watt LED bulb, offering similar brightness, can last approximately 25,000 hours.
Long-term value
LED bulbs have a higher initial cost than incandescent bulbs. At first glance, this might suggest that incandescent lighting is more cost-effective. However, as mentioned earlier, LED bulbs have a lifespan 25 times longer and a lower running cost.
Let’s start by analyzing the cost of an incandescent light bulb over 10 years:
Let’s start by analyzing the cost. A 60W light bulb costs an average of CHF 2.00 to buy.
Let’s assume you use it for 2,000 hours per year, at a rate of CHF 0.28 per kWh.
Over 10 years, its use would cost you CHF 40.00 in bulbs + CHF 336 = CHF 376.00 per bulb.
You would be using bulbs with a lifespan of approximately 1,000 hours. That’s 20 bulbs in 10 years.
Let’s now analyze the cost over 10 years of an LED bulb with similar brightness:
A standard 12W light bulb costs an average of CHF 15.00 to buy.
Let’s assume you use it for 2,000 hours per year, at a rate of CHF 0.28 per kWh.
Over 10 years, its use would cost you CHF 30.00 for bulbs + CHF 67.20 = CHF 97.20 per bulb.
You would still be using the original bulb, which would have a lifespan of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 hours. That’s only 2 bulbs in 20 years.
THESE FIGURES CORRESPOND TO THE REPLACEMENT OF A SINGLE BULB… IMAGINE IF YOU REPLACED ALL THE BULBS IN A LARGE SURFACE SUCH AS AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE, A SHOP OR A PUBLIC PLACE!
Over a period of 10 years, it has been observed that despite a lower initial purchase price for an incandescent bulb, an LED bulb offers better value for money in the long term with savings of approximately 26%.
For professional lighting (underground garages, office or shop ceiling lights), this saving can amount to up to 45% on the final electricity bill!
At ADSHome Sàrl, our technicians are qualified to install all types of lighting systems in your home or business. Contact us online at www.adshome.ch or call us at +41 (0)21 552 72 90 for more information and to receive a free quote tailored to your specific needs.