LED lighting is the future, but I just don't think its there yet unless you have the money, are installing renewable energy with the intent of going off grid or just want to be an early adopter.

I think people are too excited about the technology. Sure we need an efficient lighting technology for the night time, during storms, or other naturally dark conditions, but outside of that, we already have efficient lighting, we just need to learn to design to harness it.

I can't find LED lights anywhere. I have seen some online but I want to be able to hold the bulb in my hand and know that I can just drive to the store to return it if it is broken or the wife doesn't like what she sees. Anyone have a good feel for when we can expect LED bulbs to really start showing up in our hardware stores? Will they be 60 watt equivalents or is that still a ways off?

Posted By gaia75 on 31 Jan 2010 11:19 AM
I think people are too excited about the technology. Sure we need an efficient lighting technology for the night time, during storms, or other naturally dark conditions, but outside of that, we already have efficient lighting, we just need to learn to design to harness it.

You bring up a good point here, but there will always be a need for artificial lighting and its more than the home. There is a need for efficient lighting that has no toxic materials such as mercury. I am all about natural lighting but it can only do so much and can be inconsistent throughout the year.

I bought an LED floodlight a few months back. It works great. Yes it cost more, but I did the math and I won't have to replace it for many years to come and in the end will cost exactly the same as CFLs would. No mercury and the same performance. I got used to the shift in color, and I think we must begin to transition to LED now so that we can help fund the improvement in technologies.

I bought one of the new accent lighting LED bulbs. I had to return it. These don't put off enough light to do anything but be a night light. When can we expect to see real usable LEDs in the stores? I am willing to pay the extra money if not for the whole house, at least for the heaviest use bulbs.

Has anyone heard anymore about the L-Prize. I know Phillips submitted a bulb to the competition but I haven't heard about any other competitors.

All I have heard of so far is the Phillips bulb and that kinda sucks. I know that my hardware store just started carrying LED bulbs but most are just the flood light style and the accent bulbs don't come close to a 60 watt equivalent.

LED bulbs are picking up momentum and I see so many more claims today of equal or outperforming incandescent and LEDs. I think we are years away from LED really being the solution for everyday lighting.

I get the move toward new technology and more energy efficient bulbs, but I don't get why we have to deal with all the debate about LEDs and CFLs. I mean both fall short and until they replace incandescents in a safe manner, I think we need to be pushing for change rather than fighting over which is best. I know this thread hasn't devolved into an all out brawl and really people are pretty good here about not fighting about many topics, but LEDs aren't there yet and fluorescents are mercury ridden.

I love that Phillips is pushing the technology but it would be nice if there was some competition. I have heard of a few, but if they really could compete, wouldn't they enter the L-Prize competition?

Philips just unveiled a great new, true 60 watt replacement bulb. Its not the full L-Prize version of the technology but if you read the specs its damn close. Link to story