LED Light Bulbs

Although I was vaguely aware that the LED light bulbs have been dropping in price I was still a bit startled recently when I saw a package of 4 60 watt equivalent (9 actual watts producing 800 lumens) LED light bulbs on sale for $2.88 at my local Walmart. This low price was due in part to a rebate program sponsored by the state of New Jersey.  Other local stores like Home Depot and Smith's Ace Hardware (but apparently not Target for some reason) are also participating in this program but the savings are not as dramatic.

I picked some up and installed them in my basement where some of the ceiling bulbs were burned out or missing.  In theory this shouldn't save much because I rarely use my basement but in actual practice I sometimes accidentally leave the lights on (several bulbs are controlled by a single switch at the top of the stairs) and then don't notice for an extended period of time. I recently did this and it appears to have raised my latest electric bill by about $20 (implying several bulbs were on for several weeks).  So there is a potential savings especially if I replace the still working incandescent bulbs also.

It appears that CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs are now obsolete. The newer LED bulbs are superior in a number of ways.  They are a bit more efficient, age better, light immediately, don't contain mercury and now appear to be cheaper.  It is interesting (and a little sad) how brief (perhaps 10 years or so) the period of dominance of CFL bulbs was.  I still have a bunch of them (and will for a while as they last for a long time) but can't remember when I last bought one.  I doubt I will ever buy another.  I have bought incandescent bulbs fairly recently (and may continue to do so) because I have a couple of fixtures which seem to require them. One is on a dimmer switch which causes LED (or CFL) bulbs to flicker or buzz in a very annoying way.  Another is a decorative outdoor fixture.  It seems like it should be possible to use LED bulbs in it but when I tried some they didn't work for some reason.