[N_Fiddledog]

This one on how great LED lights are, and how to install them is from a global warming skeptic, so there must be something to it. It's not just part of the scam like those twisty, buggy, inefficient, mercury ridden, abortions.

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/02/07/s ... more-16141

[Mr_Canada]

The only issue I've ever heard with LED's are when they are used in traffic lights. Since they produce like, no heat, they don't melt and snow/ice int he way of the light, blocking it out completely.

[ASLplease]

Mr_Canada wrote:

The only issue I've ever heard with LED's are when they are used in traffic lights. Since they produce like, no heat, they don't melt and snow/ice int he way of the light, blocking it out completely.

thats a good point. However, I would think that a heater element specifically for that purpose would be more efficient and more reliable than a light that unintentionally creates heat through inefficiencies.

[Regina]

ASLplease wrote:

Mr_Canada wrote:

The only issue I've ever heard with LED's are when they are used in traffic lights. Since they produce like, no heat, they don't melt and snow/ice int he way of the light, blocking it out completely.

thats a good point. However, I would think that a heater element specifically for that purpose would be more efficient and more reliable than a light that unintentionally creates heat through inefficiencies.

Apparently not according to city workers I've talked to. Some sort of heated box would use more power than the original bulb therefore defeating the overall purpose. Not to mention the extra cost associated with installing the heating system.

[ASLplease]

Regina wrote:

Apparently not according to city workers I've talked to. Some sort of heated box would use more power than the original bulb therefore defeating the overall purpose. Not to mention the extra cost associated with installing the heating system.

did they explain why this is the case? I would have guessed that something like a rear window defrost grid would be the most efficient way to melt ice and snow from a piece of glass. couldn't they even go as far as putting the grid inside the glass so that losses contribute to heating the glass?

[Regina]

No but I suspect that since they're not mass produced and special use that they would be expensive. Certainly more than the price of a light bulb that would do both jobs.

[bootlegga]

Honestly, for me it's more about the energy savings than saving the environment, and with LEDs, there is simply nothing that can match them in price. My LED christmas lights added about $2.00 onto my electric bill this past Christmas, whereas back in the old days with regular lights, it jumped as much s $50.

If they made nice looking LED lamps or light fixtures I could easily install, then I would (those need a recessed hole in the ceiling which my home doesn't have).

[ASLplease]

Regina wrote:

No but I suspect that since they're not mass produced and special use that they would be expensive. Certainly more than the price of a light bulb that would do both jobs.

hmm...I live in Calgary, I have a hard time believing that they aren't mass produced

[Regina]

"mass produced" is a relative term based on the item. Yes there's lots of them but that market is small.

[ASLplease]

streetlights fit a wonderful definition of "heavy use profile" I'm sure issues like mass production and the overall efficiency are not 'small'

But then what the hell do I know, right?

[Regina]

[poquas]

We just replaced 6 compact fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs that we purchased from Costco. The total wattage isn’t all that different, but the life is expected is substantially better, and the light is far more natural than the fluorescent. Cost is also a little higher but I expect that will drop quickly as they becom more popular.

[Regina]

I like the light it gives off rather than the fluorescent bulbs. It's a whiter light and more durable.

[herbie]

Found these CFCs at Fields years ago that wer substantially cheaper than all the CFCs elsewhere.
Plugged it in and it gave a ghastly purplish light...

We're in a suite w heat/light included. The landlord came by and replaced the clear incandescents in the bathtroom light-rack with CFCs. But like all morons that don't know tranformers aren't all identical and light bulbs are different wattages he used six 100W equivalents! No shit if someone peed you could damn near see them through the wall like an Xray. Purple cheap ones from Fields to boot. Soon as he left, they were gone... tired of comments from the guests about how they could see the bones in their hand right through their skin and three layers of toilet paper.

[DrCaleb]

herbie wrote:

No shit if someone peed you could damn near see them through the wall like an Xray. Purple cheap ones from Fields to boot. Soon as he left, they were gone... tired of comments from the guests about how they could see the bones in their hand right through their skin and three layers of toilet paper.

LOL.

In my kitchen, I've got a CFC under the fume hood, incandescents in the main lights, and new LEDs in the Ikea fixture over the sink, replacing the 12v halogens it came with. The CFCs in my reading lights have been there 15 years now.

The CFC and incandescents are nearly identical in colour tone, but the LEDs are distinctly blue and 'flicker'. You can watch the water in the sink as if it were subject to a 50Hz strobe.

Environmentally, I don't think LED bulbs are any nicer. CFCs have a small amount of Mercury, but electronics used in LEDs tends to have Cadmium in them, and that is some nasty shit to mine. Look for the 'RoHS' tag, that'll let you know they are somewhat more environmentally friendly.