LED lamps and bulbs

[Alex_68]

There is something I wish to share with you guys.
In my home, I have changed all my lamps and bulbs from tungsten to LED and the costs difference is incredible.
Just to give some numbers: last year my bill for the energy was around 150 Euros a month, where 50% is lighting, the other 50% are the various electric devices. Now with LED technology I have been able to lower it to 90 Euros a month. With such a tendence, the net saving will be around 720 Euros a year!!

What do you think?

 

[Titan]

I think that is a ludicrous savings. With savings like that, it's a wonder LED lightbulbs haven't picked up, at least here in the states. CFLs are all the rage here because I guess LED lightbulbs are still a bit pricey. Now the question I have to ask, do you notice a difference in light quality? I know some people don't like the 'artificial' look LEDs can pick up. But that was a complaint I read about when they first came out. They undoubtedly have improved.

 

[Alex_68]

I think that is a ludicrous savings. With savings like that, it's a wonder LED lightbulbs haven't picked up, at least here in the states. CFLs are all the rage here because I guess LED lightbulbs are still a bit pricey. Now the question I have to ask, do you notice a difference in light quality? I know some people don't like the 'artificial' look LEDs can pick up. But that was a complaint I read about when they first came out. They undoubtedly have improved.

Yes, they've improved. Now we can choose from 3 kinds of whites: cold, neutral and warm. The warm color is the most similar to what we are used to. Anyway, much depends on where the bulb is located. There are also dimmerable bulbs that allow to save even more. A LED bulb costs five times more but this is money you get back quickly, at least, this is what I have noticed.

 

[Titan]

Yes, they've improved. Now we can choose from 3 kinds of whites: cold, neutral and warm. The warm color is the most similar to what we are used to. Anyway, much depends on where the bulb is located. There are also dimmerable bulbs that allow to save even more. A LED bulb costs five times more but this is money you get back quickly, at least, this is what I have noticed.

How often have you found you had to replace the LED bulbs? Or because they are LEDs, you don't have to?

 

[Alex_68]

How often have you found you had to replace the LED bulbs? Or because they are LEDs, you don't have to?

I am actually using twenty bulbs in my home but I haven't replaced any of them so far. I think it's too early to be sure about their longevity though, because they have been working only for a few months. The best brands (Verbatim, Maxell, Philips, Osram, etc.) indicate a lifetime of 30.000 hours. If we make 5 hours a day the average use of each bulb, they should last more than fiveteen years, which is almost unbelievable but... I am quite confident that, once installed, we can forget them.
Titan, if you have the intention to try a LED bulb, when you choose it, look for the lumens produced (quantity of light) because this value is the one which really gives you the idea about how much light a bulb can generate. In order to illuminate a small room (f. ex. stairs or lumber room) you need 250 lumens, for larger rooms (bathroom) you need at least 400 lumens, while for even larger rooms (kitchen, dining room, bedroom) you need 600-800 lumens.