by P. Andersen
About a year ago, the standard incandescent bulb was officially phased out. You can still get them under certain circumstances, but the technology of that style bulb has run its course. It was up to 10 times less efficient than newer technology, and had a much shorter shelf life than the bulbs that would follow; CFL (compact florescent) and LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs. Today, a year later, the options have grown and pricing has come down – and the energy benefits continue to be staggering. That 60 watt bulb now uses around 10 watts, and lights a room in so many different ways; from a nice incandescent feeling summery warmth to cool and clear stark blue hues.
If you have been following this blog, you know that I bought a house about a year ago. My energy bills are too high for the size of my home, so I am in the process of doing all the little things I can do to make things better. Today, I wanted to let you know what I have done regarding my lighting, and why I made the choice…
Up to this past month, I was buying CFL bulbs for my lighting needs. Every time I tried a new brand it was hit or miss if I would like the light that was emitted. Some of the best bulbs were warm, but the worst were a harsh color that would make anyone look washed out and old! Most were slow to fully light, causing a 30 second delay in lighting the room fully, and their life is reduced by regular on/off usage. Finally, disposal of these bulbs is difficult, because of the use of Mercury in them.
(NOTE: BE CAREFUL IF A CFL BREAKS! Leave the room immediately, open windows, air out the room, come back and sweep up the mess, do not use a vacuum or you will potentially spread the mercury. There is a link at the bottom discussing how to clean up a broken CFL).
LED’s are the alternative, and they have recently taken off. They come in every imaginable shape and size (including candelabra, Christmas tree, standard, and more), are more efficient than CFLs, light instantly, are not impacted by regular on/off usage, work well in all temperatures, and give you whatever lighting you want (warm, cool, daylight, colors). They ARE more expensive, between $5 and $15 per bulb on Amazon if you buy in bulk, but they last longer than any other bulb out there.
I decided it was time to buy into the LED craze, and I have been replacing all of my bulbs with Cree 2800 (warm) LED bulbs in 40 or 60 watts. This light has the feel of an incandescent without the drawbacks. Even for my small house, there are light bulbs everywhere! Inside, outside, basement, closets, desk lamps, stove lamps, etc. etc. etc. You will find old bulbs here and there, and you will know how much more efficient your home will be with each change. I should have my house completely turned over to LED this week.
What is the net result? I am not sure yet, but I know that with each improvement, I am moving toward a net-zero energy footprint. Bigger repairs and updates are on the horizon, but today I can say that at least my home is lit with the warmest, longest lasting, most efficient lighting available. It is an easy change for a modest investment. Don’t think of it as a $10 bulb, think of it as a home improvement project costing $250, and know that it will pay for itself in no time at all. More importantly, these cost savings will be rolling in while I continue to find ways to have a lower impact on the environment.
