Lightbulbs going to skyrocket in price...

[SubGod22]

As Government Bans Regular Light Bulbs, LED Replacements Will Cost $50 Each

NEW YORK – Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from stores in January.

Their demonstrations at the LightFair trade show in Philadelphia this week mean that brighter LED bulbs will likely go on sale next year, but after a government ban takes effect.

The new bulbs will also be expensive — about $50 each — so the development may not prevent consumers from hoarding traditional bulbs.

I know the alternatives are supposed to last longer, but it's going to cost quite a bit to replace all the lights in a house. And maybe it's just me, but I don't care to have bulbs in my house that I have to worry about mercury. I've seen the rules for disposing of those things and it's not worth it. Unless some things change, I may be slowly buying some of the regular bulbs the rest of the year. My lights aren't on all that much anyway.

[BOBB]

I think mercury is an issue more with compact fluorescents. LED is a better light than CFL. You will still be able to buy CFLs and they are a few bucks a bulb at Home Depot. I have yet to replace any CFLs in my house over the past two years. .the CFLs do need to go to a hazardous collection site. You will notice the difference on your electricity bill with a CFL or LED.

[SubGod22]

I know LED aren't the mercury ones, but they cost quite a bit more and the CFLs are still pricey. I think they said LEDs are 40-50 and CFLs are still in the 20-25 range.

I guess my hope is I have enough bulbs to last me until some great breakthrough happens in the technology that will allow me not to shell out that kind of money. I light bulb should not cost me the same as filling up my car.

[BOBB]

I know LED aren't the mercury ones, but they cost quite a bit more and the CFLs are still pricey. I think they said LEDs are 40-50 and CFLs are still in the 20-25 range.

I guess my hope is I have enough bulbs to last me until some great breakthrough happens in the technology that will allow me not to shell out that kind of money. I light bulb should not cost me the same as filling up my car.

i use CFL and they are a couple bucks a pop. Cheaper if you buy them in packages.

[SubGod22]

I think I got the target prize thing from the article in my head. Still, I think we can do better than the CFLs.

However, I've only had to change a couple of bulbs in the 2 years I've lived in this house.

[engrshock]

I have not had great luck with the CFL's. I have had to replace way more than I thought I would. They have come down in price. I expect the LED's to also come down in price. I have had no problems with the LED's I have been using.

[SubGod22]

I have not had great luck with the CFL's. I have had to replace way more than I thought I would. They have come down in price. I expect the LED's to also come down in price. I have had no problems with the LED's I have been using.

The LED's intrigue me quite a bit. I don't use 100w bulbs anyway as I don't care to have everything that bright. I'm hoping that works out and they bring down the cost or something else is developed. I may look into some of the lower wattage ones at some point.

[InWuWeTrust]

according to the box, my 100W LED costs about 15cents a year to run based our hours a day, and on westar's rate. a regular 100W bulb runs about $96.

the LED makes pretty good sense to me.

[Kung Wu]

according to the box, my 100W LED costs about 15cents a year to run based our hours a day, and on westar's rate. a regular 100W bulb runs about $96.

the LED makes pretty good sense to me.

I would encourage you to reread your box.

[ShockBand]

From the charts I've seen, most LEDs typically use about 1/10th the power of the equivalent brightness incandescent. So a $96 yearly cost for an incandescent would be around $10 for an LED.

[rayc]

Unless your power cost is in the 50+ cents per Kwh range, a $96 annual cost for a 100 watt bulb is so far out of line it's silly.

A 100 watt bulb turned on 24 hours per day 365 days per year will cost $87.60 at 10 cents per Kwh. Most bulbs are not on more than a few hours in a 24 hour period.

A 60 watt bulb on 4 hours a day, 365 days per year cost about $8.76 per year @ 10 cents per Kwh.

Of course, most of us have more than one bulb on in the house, so it can add up.

[Kung Wu]

Rayc's post has the most accurate data points. Currently there is a competition to see who can develop a 60w equivalent LED bulb and bring it in at 10w or less with equivalent lumens (900 if I recall?).

So far 10w/900 lumens hasnt hit the market yet but at any rate a better ratio would be an LED = 1/6 x 60w bulb.

If it costs $9.00/yr to run a 60w, it costs $1.50 for LED equivalent.

[RoyalShock]

Lady Liberty's arm must surely be getting tired.