Light bulb manufacturers are looking at LED technology because it is energy-efficient and easily mass produced. All it takes to create an LED bulb is a handful of these light-emitting diodes and some bright engineers to figure out how to cram them into a standard pear-shaped bulb. Progress comes with a price tag and these 100-watt LED bulbs may cost as much as $US50 each when they first arrive.
If you haven’t started already, you may want to stockpile these incandescent bulbs and avoid the riots. It’s almost a guarantee that shoppers will erupt when they discover a single light bulb now costs more than a carton of cigarettes and a six-pack of beer. [AP]
IanPerthWA
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 4:17 PMWell non-dimmable LED replacements for quartz downlights currently cost around $30 Aust and dimmables nearer $ 70 Aust so $ 50 US doesn’t sound too expensive. Especially considering the potential energy savings and the warm feelings of going Green.
ozoneocean
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:14 PMAs is LEDs are the only alternative. LOL!
I’d love an analysis of the actual total cost the to consumer though- ie comparing how long each type of bulb lasts, how much they cost in energy usage over the same period, as well as the initial purchase price.
You’d need to include LEDs, Fluro bulbs, incandescents, and any other popular type.
RB
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:14 PM“It’s almost a guarantee that shoppers will erupt when they discover a single light bulb now costs more than a carton of cigarettes and a six-pack of beer.”
until they realise they will last about 40 times longer and use a crapload less energy, saving them money in the long run…
Oh wait, the general public are idiots… Nevermind then…
Stephen
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 8:35 PM“Oh wait, the general public are idiots… Nevermind then…”
Oh wait, you’re part of that category…
uncommon sense
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:10 AMNot everyone can afford to drop this kind of money on lightbulbs…yet they’re being forced to by law.
TSH
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:28 PMIsn’t everybody using CFLs these days? LEDs are great, but not for diffuse lighting. CFLs combine the advantages of fluorescents with the convenience of bulbs… and if you’re like me and you like things to be bright, you can get a big ol’ 48W CFL from Bunnings for ~$40 which will pretty much turn night into day for all but the largest of domestic spaces. I think that’s as big as they get in the standard bayonet/screw-in fitting.
Bob
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:02 PMI replaced all my incandescent bulbs with the new halogen types. Those energy saving mini fluros are useless and don’t work well for dimming. Halogen works flawlessly with the old technology and lasts longer.
Jarvis
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:25 PMAs opposed to compact flourescent bulbs???
Peter
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 8:34 PMI’m liking the halogen bulbs I bought recently. Dimmable and about $3 a bulb. Last longer and have a more natural and fuller light, I think.
lighthouse
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 8:39 PMBut LEDs have recently been found to have serious home breakage and
disposal concerns,
having lead, arsenic and toxic vapor content, according to University
of California (Davis and Irvine) research
http://ceolas.net/#li20ledx
They suggest wearing safety protection when breakage occurs and that
the bulbs should be recycled.
They also maintain that there was insufficient product testing before
LED bulbs came onto the market. There was a law that was supposed to
take effect on January 1 that would have mandated such testing, but it
was opposed and blocked by industry groups, and has been put on
hold…
bugwan
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:21 PMAs long as they release a ‘warm-white’ version. There’s nothing less homely than a bright, white hospital-grade globe lighting a room…
NikFromNYC
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 6:10 AMI present The Quick Glance Guide to Global Warming:
Astronauts: http://oi52.tinypic.com/vwzel5.jpg
Ocean: http://oi53.tinypic.com/35b9g08.jpg
Thermometers: http://oi52.tinypic.com/2agnous.jpg
Ice: http://oi52.tinypic.com/2upvlvm.jpg
Earth: http://i49.tinypic.com/2mpg0tz.jpg
Prophet: http://oi53.tinypic.com/b54in8.jpg
Psychopaths: http://oi51.tinypic.com/2po8tas.jpg
Thinker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92YenWfz0Y
jimmy cook
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 6:49 PMI am using LED in my aquarium and closets.The results are very satisfying.
Hybridfiat
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 7:33 PMYou can already buy LED ‘bulbs’ from Hong Kong directly for between $5 and $14
They are so far rated to about 40w equivalent light output at a comsumption rate of around 3w some lower.
So dont get all dizzy in the head about Bunnings prices etc look further afield, after all that where Bunnings and Co will get them.
jeremy
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 1:12 PMMy whole house is now on a mix of CFL (where I need really bright light, like the kitchen, decks and bathroom) and warm (2700-3000k) LED (mostly 4.5w bulb shaped multi-element at <$25 from a local supplier, with a few 9W single element more compact elements where needed). Works great, cost 600w before, so I save about 8c every peak hour. Five of those a day = 40c. Thats 36 bucks a quarter, or nearly 150 bucks a year. Two and a half year payback. Sorted. After that, its gravy – $150 a year to spend on what I please, average replacement cost per year in the order of $40 (mostly the CFLs), which is what I spent on bulbs anyway. I could have done it cheaper in the short term using just CFL, but over 5 years the extra efficency of the LED and the lower failure rate per lumen/hour means the way I went works out. LEDs are not future, they are now, if used with a bit of “strategy”.
jeremy
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 1:16 PMwierd typo crept in – I used 600wh for lightling peak before, now use <100w. Power where I live is nearly 18c per kwh.