// Compare · LED vs Incandescent · NYC
LED vs Incandescent
LED has all but replaced incandescent for good reasons — but the conversion has real NYC wrinkles around dimmers, fixtures, and pre-war wiring. Here's the full picture.
LED
Efficient, long-lasting, the modern standard
Incandescent
The old bulb — cheap upfront, costly to run
LED wins decisively on cost, lifespan, and efficiency — the only real work is getting the conversion done right.
LED uses roughly 80–85% less energy than incandescent and lasts 15–25 times longer — the lifetime savings dwarf the modestly higher bulb price, which has itself dropped dramatically. Incandescent is cheaper per bulb and gives warm, familiar light, but burns most of its energy as heat and dies fast. There's no real efficiency case left for incandescent. The only thing to get right is the conversion: matching dimmers, fixtures, and color temperature — exactly where pre-war NYC homes need a careful hand.
LED vs Incandescent: the full comparison
| Factor | LED | Incandescent |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | ~80–85% less than incandescent | High — most energy becomes heat |
| Lifespan | 15,000–25,000+ hours | ~1,000 hours |
| Cost per bulb | Higher but dropped sharply | Very low |
| Lifetime cost | Far lower (energy + replacements) | Far higher over time |
| Heat output | Minimal | High — a burn and AC-load factor |
| Dimming | Excellent with compatible LED dimmers | Native, simple |
| Light quality | Excellent, any color temperature | Warm, familiar |
| Best for | Essentially all modern lighting | Niche/legacy fixtures only |
How to choose
✅ Choose LED if…
- You want to cut lighting energy use by ~80%
- You're tired of replacing bulbs in hard-to-reach fixtures
- You're upgrading fixtures or recessed lighting anyway
- You want any color temperature, from warm to daylight
- You want less heat (and lower summer AC load)
✅ Choose Incandescent if…
- You have a specialized legacy fixture that requires it
- You need a specific decorative filament look (consider LED filament instead)
- (For general lighting, there's little reason left to choose it)
The NYC angle
The catch in NYC isn't whether to switch to LED — it's the conversion details in older homes. Old incandescent dimmers often flicker or buzz with LEDs; pre-war fixtures may need rewiring; and matching color temperature across a room takes a plan. Done casually, an LED swap can look and feel worse than the incandescent it replaced.
We handle LED conversions as proper lighting work: LED-compatible dimmers, fixture upgrades, recessed lighting in plaster ceilings, and consistent color temperature throughout. The result looks intentional, not like a bulb swap. See pricing on our lighting cost guide.
Upgrade to LED the right way.
We convert NYC homes to LED with compatible dimmers, fixture upgrades, and consistent color temperature — so it looks designed, not like a bulb swap.
LED vs Incandescent: common questions
Yes, decisively — LEDs use roughly 80–85% less energy and last 15–25 times longer, so lifetime savings far exceed the modestly higher purchase price (which has dropped sharply). Less heat also means a small reduction in summer AC load. There's essentially no efficiency case left for incandescent.
Because old dimmers were designed for incandescent loads and aren't LED-compatible. The fix is an LED-rated dimmer matched to your bulbs — a quick swap we do regularly. Done right, LED dimming is smooth and flicker-free across the full range.
For simple fixtures, often yes. But pre-war NYC homes frequently need LED-compatible dimmers, fixture rewiring, or color-temperature matching to look right — and recessed or hard-to-reach fixtures benefit from professional installation. We handle conversions that look intentional, not patchy.
It varies with scope — from inexpensive dimmer swaps to full fixture and recessed-lighting installations. Per-fixture and per-room pricing is on our lighting cost guide. The energy savings typically pay back the upgrade over the LEDs' long life.
Warm white (2700K) most closely matches the cozy feel of incandescent and suits living spaces and bedrooms; brighter, cooler temperatures (3500–4000K+) suit kitchens, baths, and work areas. We help you choose and keep it consistent across each room so the lighting feels designed.
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