I’m sure you’ve all heard that one of the ways you can reduce your energy bill is by replacing your incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs, but if you’re like me, you’re probably also worried about the possible risks associated with doing so. CFL bulbs contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage, turning a minor mess of broken glass into a HazMat situation.
Because of this, we’ve been very hesitant to use CFL bulbs in our household, so I was very intrigued when The Home Depot contacted me about their new line of LED light bulbs. LED bulbs actually supply just as much light as traditional incandescent bulbs but use far less electricity — a whopping 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and up to 50 percent less energy than CFL bulbs.
I was also amazed to learn that LED bulbs an extremely long life expectancy that, 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs! Each bulb can last up to 100,000 hours or 11.42 years! I know we have several fixtures that are a real hassle to change, so my husband would be thrilled if he only had to do so every ten years or so.
More interesting LED facts:
- Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting options, such as LED lights, is a simple way to reduce your energy bills.
- Replacing standard light bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs will bring you immediate savings on your electricity bill.
- In fact, innovative LED technology uses up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, without sacrificing lighting quality.
- LED bulbs supply just as much light as your old bulbs but use far less electricity. In fact, the innovative technology uses up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and up to 50 percent less energy than CFL bulbs.
- LED bulbs also have an exceptionally long life expectancy that is 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Each bulb can last up to 100,000 hours, or 11.42 years.
Sounds great, huh? So you’re probably wondering what’s the catch. The bad news is this great new technology comes with a price tag that’s significantly higher than we’re used to paying for incandescent bulbs. Expect to pay about $17.97 for an LED bulb that’s a 40W equivalent.
However, the good news is that the price is rapidly coming down. In fact, just two years ago, a 60-watt equivalent cost $90 and a 100-watt dimmable bulb went for $360. Wow!
New legislation is requiring that most incandescent bulb production be discontinued by 2014, so it’s definitely important to start looking at other options. While the initial investment may seem steep, it’s important to consider the savings in energy coupled with the longevity of LED bulbs.
Next week I’ll take you shopping with me at my local Home Depot to purchase LED lighting for several fixtures in our house. But in the meantime, you can win a $50 gift card to The Home Depot!
To enter: Just check out the LED lighting page on HomeDepot.com and tell me one cool fact you learned about LED bulbs. Would you purchase LED light bulbs? Have you already started using LED light bulbs in your household?
This giveaway will close at 2:00pm EST on 1/13/11.
The Home Depot works with bloggers such as myself to conduct product reviews. They do not tell bloggers what to say about their products or how to say it. THD fundamentally believes that people should be free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot often provides product – free of charge – to bloggers for review as they did for this post. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
dorthy
I learned that they can last 20 years and produce little heat. I want to try some in my barn.
Kathy
more effective and not toxic
Becky Cole
I’m suprised they are more efficient than CFL’s. I would consider buying one if they were on sale, haven’t seen one on sale yet.
Jen
I learned that they last a long long time! We no longer use CFL’s anymore since they put off dirty electricity and are full of poison. I will definitely be buying LED’s now. :D
katie
you can put one in your babys room and not have to change it til they went to college thats crazy yes I would try them
Chantel Silva
I knew they lasted a long time but never imagined the would last over 18 years!
Donna Brickett
I learne that they use 50% less energy than CFls. I will purchase them when the price comes down a bit. I’d be willing to give them a try now if there was a juicey coupon to use!
lori
I learned that the bulbs have a long life span which is great considering the initial cost of the bulbs.
Allea
I learned that LED’s emit very little heat. That’s definitely nice. I’m not using them yet, but am very interested in them for sure.
Renee
I love the fact that they contain no mercury. Always an added bonus that it saves so much money in the long run!
Kristina
Learned they are also in flood light sizes… our old mercury vapor, buzzing, temper tanturm throwing, old guy just gasped his last breath… would be wonderful to be able to replace with an LED flood light. :)
Erica
Love the fact that the LED lightbulbs last up to 100,000 hours which is 100 times longer than the incandescent bulbs.
Darlene Arnold
Was suprised to learn that they do not contain mercury and other toxic material. Am not using LED’s yet, but would love to try them. Just gonna have to get a little cheaper first.
carol
I learned that LED bulbs are more efficient than CFL bulbs and they look cool
kat amber
i wasnt aware that they were making normal lightbulbs using LED technology and that they are more effecient and safer than CFL’s.
Kristy OT
I learned that “Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40 percent of the mercury emissions in the U.S.” I definitely want to start using them, but they’re a bit outside of our budget right now.
Christine
They are over 10% more efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s).
Larena
Most Christmas tree lights are now LED but I didn’t realize they could last up to 20yrs.
Amanda Y.
I will be starting now! We have some CFLs but I do worry about the health effects, but I had no idea that LEDs were semi-affordable! I learned they last soo much longer!
Christy
I have several LED lights around my house. Every time a light bulb burns out, it gets replaced with an LED. I learned that the three things affecting junction temperature are: drive current, thermal path, and ambient temperature.
Lindsay
LEDs last up to 20 years longer?! Wow!
Daniel
I have just recently started buying LED light bulbs because they last so long. I’m glad to find out that they will continue to get cheaper & love the fact that they do not contain mercury.
Emily
I found out that they make dimmable LED light bulbs. I always thought they were just bright as can be all the time. We don’t use any yet, and I’m just now learning that there is an alternative to the CFLs for saving energy. I think it’s great!
Laura Hogan
How cool to have a lightbulb that lasts 20 years. It’s also great they have full spectrum lights. THinkwe will start switching ours over gradually.
jen
They are non-toxic!!!
Sarah M.
It’s crazy that LED bulbs last 20 years longer than regular bulbs. That’s insane! I had no idea.
Angied
They last 20 years longer
kk
LED’s last 20 (!) years longer than incandescent bulbs. I have not tried LED’s yet, but I will definitely buy some next time my bulbs need replacing. Thanks!
Megan
I was surprised that LED bulbs have such a long life expectancy – 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs – up to100,000 hours or 11.42 years. WOW!
Alicia C.
What really stood out to me on the page was this sentence: “Just imagine, you could install an LED bulb in your newborn’s room today, and probably not have to replace that bulb until your child is off to college.” Can you say, “AMAZING”?!
We switched to CFL a couple of years ago and love them except the mercury thing. My husband, who’s very clumsy, has already broken FOUR of them and had me freaking out about cleaning it up correctly each time. I’d love to use the LEDs instead.
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