Switching house lighting to LED.

[Jase]

Anybody done this? Any pointers? Looks like as the tech is evolving, some products are real lemons (lower lumens than advertised, odd coloring, splotchy dispersion)

With the cost associated, I'd prefer to not make a mistake on a lightbulb. I'm going to start with lower risk fixtures like outdoor floods, then move to indoor floods, then eventually indoor fixtures.

I'm curious most of all for a good place to get them... the loweses and home depots of the world have spotty inventory with poor products peppered in.

[2shy]

[Wither]

May I ask why? Just curious.

[Jase]

well, the first batch of CFLs that I bought are dropping left and right... LEDs last longer, and they don't have mercury in them. They're also a bit better on energy than CFLs.

the technology seems to be getting to the point where practical bulbs are starting to be made.

I've been working with the military lately and they're starting to make the switch to LED.

Right now I'm looking at outdoor flood lights that will last for 20 years at 6 hrs per day. :eek:

[Jase]

right now it is expensive, which is why I am legging into this slowly.

[ThaJackal]

A lot of airports are going to LED lighting (taxiway, runway, signs, etc.) b/c they have a much longer life and use less energy. Problem is that they are very expensive to switch to and the feds are more into granting funds to address security issues right now (and rightfully so). I know that if I had the funding, I would take a good look at installing LED lighting on the field. If you can afford it, I say why not.

[Wither]

I'd make sure to get name-brands regardless of the price, if available.

Honestly didn't know they were coming out with "traditional" LED lights for residential. Cool. :p

[j2sgam]

You can get them from China via ebay, get the 'warm white' for the color closer to traditional light bulbs. I renovated someone's theater Christmas before-last. Installed 15 canlights and got the LED bulbs for them pretty cheap. I think the case of 24 was like $38... LED are the way to go, nowhere near the energy consumption of even CFLs, 10k hours before you should have to change most, and you can get color-changing for some real cool accents...

eBay's warm white selection...

Youre welcome...

[SorthNarolina]

A lot of airports are going to LED lighting (taxiway, runway, signs, etc.) b/c they have a much longer life and use less energy. Problem is that they are very expensive to switch to and the feds are more into granting funds to address security issues right now (and rightfully so). I know that if I had the funding, I would take a good look at installing LED lighting on the field. If you can afford it, I say why not.

at least for civil building the feds have huge grants for energy efficient lighting. I got a job 12.50 an hour no taxes from one of those at school just replacing lightbulbs and ballasts.

[g5jamz]

Yeah...if you know how to get the Chinese ones (ebay reference) they work fine. Cree is the top of the line LEDs and you will pay dearly for them.

I'm wanting to build some flounder-gigging lights, but I'm wanting the most powerful LEDs/compact that I can find. Daylight bright.

[Hawk]

someone say CFL? ya...it ain't near as good as NFL but it sure helps tie me over.