A Newer, Greener Lighting Alternative - LED Bulbs

LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs are the newest technology in energy efficient lighting and are likely to replace CFL’s in the near future as the greenest and most economical choice for lighting. Compared to CFL bulbs, LED bulbs are significantly more energy efficient, they last up to 10 times longer, and they contain no mercury. All pluses in my book.

As LED bulbs are a newer technology, they are currently not as readily available and are more expensive to purchase than CFL bulbs. However, over time, your energy savings will be significant. Not to mention, your piece of mind regarding the benefits to the environment, including reducing the amount of toxic mercury leaks into our waterways.

You may think of LED’s as tiny, bright, harsh lights that you’ve seen used in newer flashlights and toys and such. Lately, however, there is an increasing selection of household use bulbs, compatible with your existing fixtures and lamps, that also offer choices in the color qualities of the light. For example, a “warm white” LED bulb for an accent lamp will emit a soft, flattering glow, similar to what you are used to with conventional incandescent bulbs. Other colors for household use include cool white for practical lighting and amber, which won’t attract bugs to outdoor lamps. They also come in fun colors such as red, blue, green, for more amusing uses such as party lights and mood lighting.

Suggestions for LED bulb use:

Outdoor Accent Lighting: Look for solar-powered LED lights. (No cost energy!) These come in all kinds of decorative forms and uses, such as walkway lighting, hanging lanterns and paper lanterns, table top accent lamps, and rope and string lights. These can readily be found at very reasonable prices both online and in home and garden stores.

Closets and Cabinet Lighting: Small, inexpensive LED lights can be found for use in closets and under cabinet lighting, where frequent brief lighting is needed, and frequent on/off switches will happen. There are battery powered as well as hard wired options for these as well.

Accent Lighting: Lamps placed in areas that can easily be struck and broken by accident, especially if you have pets or children, are a good place to start replacing your CFL’s with LED’s in order to reduce your risk of mercury exposure from CFL‘s. Keep your CFL’s in the ceiling mounted light fixtures, canister and track lighting for now, if the expense of replacing all of these is too prohibitive.

Party Lighting: As LED technology is still a novelty, many just-for-fun LED lighting options are out there. Check party and wedding décor stores. Fun choices I’ve found include tea lights, votives, fiber optic centerpieces, fiber optic framed art, glowing ice cubes and glowing glassware. More and more innovative, fun uses of LED’s seem to appear every day!