Gu10 Bulbs Vs 60 Watt Bulbs

The traditional light bulb has been around for over a hundred years and it is only now that it seems to be coming to the end of its lifetime. This is surprising because the shortcomings of this form of lighting have been apparent for a very long time. In particular, it is a hugely inefficient way of converting electrical energy into light. It is estimated that only five per cent of the electricity used is actually converted into light. Another disadvantage of the traditional light bulb is that it does not last very long, between one and two thousand hours on average, meaning that replacement costs add up significantly over time.

Today new forms of lighting, such as LED GU 10 bulbs, are widely available and offer considerable advantages over their predecessors. GU10 simply refers to the easy and convenient fittings of the bulbs, allowing a simple twist-in action to slot them into place. LED stands for light emitting diode. Unlike the old bulbs, with their tungsten filaments that erode and fail after a relatively short period, LED lights emit light directly so the electricity used is not wasted as heat. Until recently, LED GU 10 bulbs were not really suitable as a replacement for older bulbs or halogen lights, as they did not produce enough light. Now, the technology has moved on and they compare favourably as direct replacements, giving the same amount of light.

Not only this, but they are an extremely efficient way of lighting a home or office.

When making comparisons between the costs of different forms of light bulbs, it is important to compare not just the initial price of the bulbs but their lifetime costs - how long they will last and how much energy they use to produce the same amount of light. For example, LED GU 10 bulbs may seem expensive to buy compared to the old-style bulb but remember that its effective lifetime is at least 20,000 hours, ten times as long. Some LED GU 10 bulbs are designed to have a lifespan of 50,000 hours! It is important, when buying a new lighting system, not to think in the short term. Don't balk at the upfront cost of a bulb, but calculate the cost over the next five or ten years. A bulb that has to be replaced every year can end up costing you much more than you think. The fact that the LED bulb uses less than ten per cent of the energy of a traditional bulb will also mean that the cost savings over the years are very substantial. Given that electricity for lighting comprises eight per cent of the average home's energy, it is clear that an investment in a modern LED light system will more than pay for itself after a few years.

For businesses, lighting is also a significant cost. Installing GU 10 LED bulbs will therefore not only help the bottom line, but also, in retail premises for example, improve the customers' experience by providing a modern, elegant display of the goods for sale.

Making the change to LED lighting, for homes and businesses, makes sense for all of these reasons: energy efficiency, reducing your carbon footprint and, best of all, saving a lot of money.