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02/18/2010

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interior design buying guide led, CFL, lights saving money smart planet saving energy home decor green home green design

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5 LED Lights That Make Sense Now

LED lighting promises great energy savings and other advantages over CFLs. But as a new technology, the early products still have some drawbacks. Does that mean you should wait? Not necessarily. In the right places, LED lights can still make sense. Here is a gallery of products that you might consider buying to save energy now.

 

sylvania

  • This Sylvania nightlight bulb costs only $3, and uses only 1 watt of electricity.

got dark

  • Got a dark closet or cabinet? This battery-operated light is easy to mount and with LEDs, the batteries last a long time

philips 

  • This Philips candelabra bulb is much more attractive than the bulky CFL bulb in this style

philips led

  • Have a really hard to reach recessed light? Although this bulb is about $30, since it lasts 25,000 hours it is worth not having to climb up and down the ladder.

led christmas lights

  • LED Christmas light strings let you enjoy the holidays without the guilt of the extra CO2 you’re pumping into the atmosphere. But look for lights labeled “warm white” or with color temperature of less than 3000K (like the GE lights on the right). The lights on the left are “cool white” (about 6000k) and many people don’t like them.

Guest blogger: LEDGuy has been following developments in LED lighting for two years. You can learn more about the available products, the technology, and evolving market for LED lighting at his blog, http://ledlightsathome.com

  • meyerjr Thursday, February 25, 2010

    I agree with the choice of 5 LED lights described above.
    The 1 watt night light is a perfect replacement for the USA clothes dryer light.  I am sure there are exceptions but all the dryers I have been around use the same size base - and 90% of those night lights burned out within the first 2 years of the dryer being installed.

    Also:
    The next LED fixture that I would love to see become popular is the out door flood that would replace the outside wall-mounted sodium or mercury vapor types.

    Finally:
    It would be really helpful to know if any or all LEDs are dim-able with off the shelf dimmers.

  • Billy Thursday, April 22, 2010

    Too bad they dont make lights that put out 60 watt equivalent that are reasonably priced. I would get them for my whole house then.

  • Bill Thursday, May 27, 2010

    LEDs work best with microcontrollers to create the dimming effect, as they work with very low voltages. However, this kind of dimming creates a flicker effect.

    Voltage dimmers may work with LEDs on a step-down transformer, however.

  • Kuuala Friday, May 28, 2010

    LED Tips that might be useful for homeowners considering LED Lighting:

    1. Look for a metal/aluminum heat sink (looks like metal bars encasing the light) on the ouside of the LED bulb - this is for heat release - a high quality LED bulb will have this as it increases the lifetime of the bulb.
    2. High-powered vs. Low-powered LEDs - High-powered LEDs are a preferred replacement for existing bulbs being used as the primary light source. Low-powered LEDs are usually used for decorative lighting applications.
    3. Dimmability - We supply LEDs and most are dimmable. They work best with a digital dimmer (about $35 for a standard model).

    @Billy from the previous message: Here is a 60 watt output equivalent LED: http://www.shop.kuuala.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=220&category_id=36&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

  • Kuuala Friday, May 28, 2010

    LED Tips that might be useful for homeowners considering LED Lighting:

    1. Look for a metal/aluminum heat sink (looks like metal bars encasing the light) on the ouside of the LED bulb - this is for heat release - a high quality LED bulb will have this as it increases the lifetime of the bulb.
    2. High-powered vs. Low-powered LEDs - High-powered LEDs are a preferred replacement for existing bulbs being used as the primary light source. Low-powered LEDs are usually used for decorative lighting applications.
    3. Dimmability - We supply LEDs and most are dimmable. They work best with a digital dimmer (about $35 for a standard model).

    @Billy from the previous message: Here is a 60 watt output equivalent LED: http://www.shop.kuuala.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=220&category_id=36&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

  • Linda Friday, June 04, 2010

    Great list.  Maybe you missed the regular E26 screw in bulbs.  We changed a few of ours already and we love it.  Will swap more when the incandescent bulbs die.

  • Sue Thomas Wednesday, June 23, 2010

    Are there any other sites for LED's.  We like to shop around.  I have found great ranges of prices for the same bulbs in the  past.  I bought a 'bargain' led low wattage bulb at ACE hardware. ($10).  Nice type of light, and though I would not push it, it responded to a normal dimmer to turn it on and off (I turn the dimmer quickly..) but who needs dimming w/ this wattage?

  • Positive Energy Tuesday, July 27, 2010

    The Cree LR6,  2700°K (warm) version is an excellent 12 W retrofit for recessed (can) lighting that normally takes a  65 W or 75 W incandenscent R30 bulb.  You can see them in the Bainbridge Pavilion on Bainbridge Island, Washington.   The lifecycle cost of the Cree LR6 is less than CFL or incadenscent  R30 bulbs.

  • stwvw Saturday, January 15, 2011

    Hey all, I have purchased LED bulbs for my entire home through a company called Ciel Power. You can find them at www.cielpower.com  They have all types of bulbs and 6 months in I am very happy with the performance!!

    Has anyone done an energy management system for their home? I am considering that next.

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