As RVers, we’re always looking for ways to save money and live healthier on the road. Less money spent on RV maintenance means more money for all the fun stuff that the RVing life offers, like horseback riding in the Rockies or whale watching in the Pacific. If you’re looking to make a noticeable change to your motorhome’s interior that’ll benefit your wallet and the environment, consider swapping out your traditional lightbulbs for LEDs. It’s an easy switch that’ll make a world of difference. Here’s why!
LEDs are Earth friendly!
RVers know the importance of conserving energy, whether they park their rig in a plush RV resort or go off the grid in the middle of nowhere. Using the least amount of energy when RVing is important because it’s less expensive (if you have to pay for electricity at your campsite) and it won’t drain your RV’s battery as quickly (if you’re boondocking). LED lightbulbs are extremely energy efficient, using just a fraction of the energy that a CFL or halogen bulb uses. You could literally leave all the lights on in your motorhome for your entire RV getaway and barely make a dent in your wallet or your battery bank.
In an effort to help reduce your carbon footprint and, thus, help save Planet Earth, switching to LEDs is a simple, but very impactful, step! Did you know that regular lightbulbs (non LEDs) give off toxic chemicals, like mercury, when they’re turned on? Similar to the Roman god Mercury with his winged sandals, the toxic mercury that burns off when traditional lightbulbs are burned becomes airborne and can go wherever it pleases. By switching your motorhome’s lightbulbs to LEDs, you’re grounding mercury and preventing it from poisoning the air we breathe.
Most LED lightbulbs are also recyclable! If the brand you purchase for your rig states that they are 100% recyclable, don’t throw them away. Recycle them with your household recyclable trash. Halogen and CFL (fluorescent) bulbs all contain toxins, so they cannot be recycled.
They’re in it for the long haul!
The lifespan of an incandescent bulb has got nothing on the lifespan of an LED! Just look at the numbers—1,000-2,000 hours compared to 25,000-50,000 hours! Even if you’re not a math whiz, you can see that LEDs are definitely the winner when it comes to staying power! Yes, they cost more initially, but if you figure that you’re getting 25x the lifespan, it’s easier to justify the initial cost. And since you’re not having to replace them very often, you’re creating less waste of burned out bulbs and less production of new bulbs—Mother Earth thanks you!
LEDs are cool!
In a smaller space like an RV, you’ll appreciate how LEDs burn cooler than a traditional lightbulb. They create a fraction of the heat of other bulb types, so your RV (and you!) will stay cooler. You’ll also be less likely to accidentally burn your head when you stand up to walk from your motorhome’s slide-out dinette to the kitchen and get a little too close to the recessed lighting above. Some coaches, like this gorgeous Entegra Coach Anthem 44B, have abundant overhead lighting, so the heat from each bulb would add up (if they weren’t LEDs). If you have an older motorhome that has traditional bulbs, consider switching to LEDs to help you keep your cool on hot summer days!
They’re made for the rigors of the road
The RVing lifestyle can be a bumpy one. And I don’t mean bumpy in an unstable, psychological kind of way. Quite the opposite, actually. RVing is a surefire way to find the relaxing life you’ve been looking for all these years! I mean literally bumpy! On the RVing road of life, you will hit potholes. You’ll probably catch a curb or two. And you’ll inevitably drive through parking lots that have those annoying speed bumps. With LED lightbulbs, you won’t have to wonder if they’re going to shatter and rain down glass all over the interior of your motorhome. LEDs are so much more sturdy than traditional bulbs because they’re made of epoxy, not glass. And when your home is on wheels, this might come in handy!
Bring it on Old Man Winter
Due to their composition, LEDs can withstand temperature fluctuations. Unlike traditional bulbs, they can function normally in both extreme high and extreme low temperatures. So if you’re a full-time RVer or love to head out for some winter fun in your four-season RV, LEDs are the way to go. Now, if your RV is equipped with a four-season package that includes heated tanks, a heated and enclosed underbelly, and an impressive A/C and furnace system, then it is probably also outfitted with LED bulbs already. But, again, if it’s your rusty-but-trusty RV that just keeps on hummin’ right along, the bulbs are probably old-school CFLs that don’t fare so well in fluctuating temps.
Does your rig have LEDs? Are you considering a switch to LEDs? Share your thoughts on RV lightbulbs with us in the comments to spark a conversation with our readers!
