Do This One Simple Thing and Your Lightbulbs Will Last at Least 13 Years

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How much can you save on your electric bill by using LED bulbs? Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with an LED equivalent can save $130 throughout the new bulb’s lifetime—and $150 from your annual energy bill if you replace all incandescents with LED bulbs.

It’s a smart choice, but not all LED bulbs are created equal. Without ENERGY STAR-certification, that LED bulb you purchase at the store fails to meet certain quality requirements. These “ish” bulbs can flicker, shift in color, lose brightness over time, offer uneven light, or continue to use power when turned off. Look for the blue ENERGY STAR label to get the best bang for your buck.

The current ENERGY STAR requirement is for LED bulbs to last at least 13 years. They’re also required to have guaranteed light quality and output, to cast light in all directions, and to be available in a wide variety of styles to fit any socket.

And now, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), DC’s resource for saving energy, is helping the cause by working with retailers across the district to offer discounted ENERGY STAR LED bulbs for as low as 95¢—a cost that’s compatible with the often cheaper “ish” bulbs.

For more information about the DCSEU and its network of partnering retailers, check their website.