led bulbs

[mom-from-missouri]

Does anyone have any recent experience with LED bulbs? My 7 year old clf's are starting to burn out, and I am thinking of going led in those lights. But, I know when they first came out people said it was more of a spotlight or laser effect, as the light didn't flow to other parts of the room. Before I drop $40 for each bulb, I am wanting to do some research...

[riverwed070707]

I work for a utility company and actually just did an article on this. LEDs are more efficient (don't burn energy emitting heat like incandescents and CFLs), longer lasting (50,000 hours compared to 10,000 hours CFLs last), and they don't lose efficiency/bulb life due to use factors such as humidity, heat, cold, and on-off cycling like CFLs do.

Advances in technology have enabled them to produce light that is more spread than the spot light versions, but it is still somewhat directional. If you make the switch, its important to shop by light output rather than wattage to get the right light for the space. This will be an interesting market to watch because I think we'll see even more advances and the cost will continue to drive down, but even as it currently stands, its a great option. The mercury factor of CFLs is an ongoing issue and given that most people don't know the proper way to dispose of them, i think we'll see them fade out relatively quickly.

[Mori]

LED are so much better and safer the cfl. But you don't need to spend $40. HD and Lowes usually have sales and check the web for discounts.

[JoeP]

I wouldn't mind getting a couple LED lights, but the cost has to come way down. I've been hoarding incandescent bulbs lately; I buy a case at a time at Lowes. Maybe they will be worth something 5 or 10 years from now.

[disneysteve]

I've been hoarding incandescent bulbs lately; I buy a case at a time at Lowes. Maybe they will be worth something 5 or 10 years from now.

Really? I doubt it.

We have CFLs in several lights in the house. We haven't gone to LEDs yet due to the cost. We've been looking into them at our synagogue but haven't gotten any yet.

I think LEDs are worth looking at for fixtures that are hard to access, like high ceilings. Places where you can get to the lights easily, CFLs are fine. And truthfully, for lights that get limited use, incandescent bulbs are probably best. CFLs work best where they are on for extended blocks of time so a closet light or bathroom light that might only be on for a few seconds or a minute or two really aren't ideal for CFLs.

[JoeP]

Really? I doubt it.

I dunno, you'd be surprised. My brother bought the Lego Taj Majal set a few years back for $250, and just sold it on ebay for just over $1k. Even if shortages don't drive up the prices of the bulbs, I'll have a good supply of low-tech bulbs that will last me a lifetime.

[disneysteve]

I dunno, you'd be surprised. My brother bought the Lego Taj Majal set a few years back for $250, and just sold it on ebay for just over $1k. Even if shortages don't drive up the prices of the bulbs, I'll have a good supply of low-tech bulbs that will last me a lifetime.

I'm a collector and collectibles dealer so I know all about that stuff. I just don't see light bulbs spurring the kind of demand that a limited edition Lego set, for example, does. Besides, if the price of CFLs continues to fall, who would pay a premium for an incandescent bulb? And I think there will still be millions of these around for years to come even if they were to stop producing them tomorrow.

[bjl584]

The thing that still can't be done with LED lighting is making pure white light. They can get pretty close, but the light still has a hint of blue. It's been done in laboratories but the material used to achieve white light contains candmium which is toxic. It still hasn't been done in mass production the last I checked.

[disneysteve]

It's been done in laboratories but the material used to achieve white light contains candmium which is toxic.

Of course, CFLs use mercury which is also toxic.

[bjl584]

Of course, CFLs use mercury which is also toxic.

True, but what I've read about cadmium is that it is extremely toxic and can cause kidney failure and death even in trace amounts. Trace amounts of mercury aren't good for you but it probably won't kill you either.

[disneysteve]

The thing that still can't be done with LED lighting is making pure white light.

I guess there are applications for which that is important, but for normal everyday household stuff, it doesn't matter. CFLs and incandescents don't give off pure white light either.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

JoeP, you aren't the only one hoarding incandescents. On a home decorating forum I read, a number of people have bought enough to last the rest of their lives. They claim they cannot stand the color of CFLs.

Light bulb color is a matter of preference and what you just get used to. I've had virutally all CFLs in my house for years, but would like to try LEDs.

Yesterday while reading a book I needed some supplementary light so moved a buffet lamp close. I switched it on and felt disgusted by the way it turned my page yellow. Turns out we still had an old incandescent bulb in that lamp! I had to get up and turn on my preferred "daylight blue" ceiling light. I like the color of outdoor, midday light. It comes from my special purchase CFL bulbs.

[disneysteve]

On a home decorating forum I read, a number of people have bought enough to last the rest of their lives. They claim they cannot stand the color of CFLs.

I think this is something that the public simply is not educated about. CFLs come in a wide range of color spectra, from quite yellow to very white. You just have to choose the one that matches what you want.

Here is a link that explains how to choose based on the Kelvin rating:
Color and Mood : ENERGY STAR

[Mori]

Once the cfl started burning out, I switched to GE reveal, those are great. They come in the halogen which I use in my hallway.

[Nsmith508]

Hmmm, I've wanted to try LEDs for a while but haven't made the leap yet.