Some facts about the new LED light bulbs
They’re pricey, but they promise to shed a lot of light and cost you less over time.
1. Incandescents are dead. As manufacturers phase out traditional light bulbs that don’t meet new federal standards for efficiency, the first to go are 100-watt bulbs in 2012. The phase-out continues with 75-watt bulbs in 2013 and 60-watt and 40-watt bulbs in 2014. You could substitute halogens or compact fluorescents (CFLs), but LEDs (short for light-emitting diodes) will take you straight into the future of lighting.
2. Long live LEDs. Well-designed and well-manufactured LED bulbs are rated to last 25,000 hours — or at least 22 years based on three hours’ use a day — and use about 80 percent less energy than incandescents to produce the same amount of light, as measured in lumens. (CFLs use about 75 percent less energy; halogens, 30 percent less.)
3. They’re not cheap. The cost of an LED bulb — $15 to $40, depending on the equivalency — may give you pause. But the cost per bulb has fallen from just two years ago, and it will continue to fall with improved technology and ramped-up production. The Department of Energy (DOE) found that CFLs (which cost about $5 per bulb) beat LEDs by only $10 in net savings over their lifetime.
BGE offers $10 in instant savings on LED bulbs at selected stores to help offset the steep price. See www.bgesmartenergy.com/residential/lighting-appliances/lighting-discounts.
4. What you’ll like. LED bulbs can be designed to cast a warm glow or a bright, white light. They emit no ultraviolet radiation and produce very little heat. Flip a switch, and the bulb comes on instantly and fully. When dimmed (the bulb must be compatible with the dimmer in your fixture), it won’t hum, flicker or change color.
LEDs are resistant to vibration and breakage, and they come in a variety of specialty styles and shapes. Replacement bulbs for lamps are available in 40-, 60- and 75-watt equivalents; 100-watt equivalents are likely by early 2013.
5. Research your investment. Look for manufacturers that have Energy Star endorsements, and manufacturers and retailers that participate in the DOE’s LED Lighting Facts program (see the fact sheet at www.lightingfacts.com/content/consumers). The bulbs should carry a warranty of three to five years.
6. Start slowly. Try using LED bulbs in hard-to-reach spots or heavily used areas, such as the kitchen, family room and porch.
LEDs may seem brighter than the incandescents they’re designed to replace, so instead of a 60-watt-equivalent bulb, try a less-costly 40-watt-equivalent. You may ultimately need to buy and try a few LEDs to find a model that works for you.
Patricia Mertz Esswein is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance