Led me

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I'd like to replace the 60 watt bulbs in my overhead can lights with LEDs. I'm tired of borrowing a 12 foot step ladder to get to them when I have to replace them (2wice a year normally). They aren't dimmable, so a cheap 7 watt LED would work?

I put some can lights in my old house. I was having a problem with blowing CFL bulbs. Based on the recommendation of someone on this board, I switched to LED bulbs. At HD, they have an LED replacment for recessed lighting. It looks better than other bulbs and the quality of light was very good.

What I put in was something a lot like this.
EcoSmart 65W Equivalent Daylight (5000K) BR30 6 in. Dimmable LED Downlight-ECO-575L-50K at The Home Depot
I installed three several years ago and never had a problem. They came on instantly (no delay like some LED bulbs). And the quality of light was very good. They also looked much better than the usual bulb and separate trim ring.

[campbellcj]

Join the club! Our summer electric bills are as much as some people's house payments. Unfortunately IMO the A/C is the killer. Secondarily, at least in our case, the pool pumps. Distant third is probably the big desktop/tower PC rig. All of our appliances are new/modern.

I've installed CFL and LED bulbs and Nest thermostats but the cost reduction is insignificant. It's probably more of a geekout and conscience thing than a true economic benefit.

I may look into replacing the A/C units but for now have just been notching the thermostats upwards hoping the family doesn't revolt. There is some black magic entailed in that, since we have to get the house cooled-down enough by bedtime to be able to sleep, and we have a two-story open floor plan and split-zone HVAC system where the units/zones obviously can't function completely independently.

[kinein]

Here is a update after replacing my outside night lights with LED's. The electricity bill did drop about $90, There was a couple of days the AC didnt run because of cooler days. So to be little conserative with the number I would say 30 of the 90 goes to the lights, in savings.

On the website it shows the usage of electricity and during what hours the electricity was used. Most of the usage was at night when we had our lights on. Originally the lights were 60watts each with 5 lights at about 300 watts usage all nite long, just from the backyard lights.
We replaced them with 7 watts lights and used only 2 of the light sockets for nite at 14watts total.

I'm still enjoying the warm golden glow of incandescents and with the supply I have, will for years to come.

[futurefun]

Thanks Flieger that's the LED I was expecting. LEDs are throughout the house which is off the grid.

[ckelly78z]

I make it a point of turning off lights when leaving a room even for a few minutes, and don't run outside lights to beautify my property, or for any security purposes. Saving electricity is as simple as unplugging things that have ghost loads for when you actually use that appliance. You will probably save far more by installing an insulating blanket on your water heater (electric), than replacing all the lightbulbs in the house before the existing ones burn out.

[flipper35]

Has anyone used the Cree UR series linear bulb replacements?

Cree UR Series


We keep having issues with our fixtures downstairs and thought these look good. Dimmable as well for the home theater.

[Vipergrün]

Costco had a great deal not too long ago, Feit 65w replaceable 13w LED in 2700K color, I think they were 5.99 each with instant rebate. I replaced 24 recessed lights with these and did notice a decent drop in the electric bill. There were 14 65W bulbs always burning, which changed to the equivalent of 3 65W bulbs. I've replaced outside and porch lights with LED too. CFL's didn't last very long. So far, so good with the LED's Now, just need to beat into the kids to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS when they leave the room :--)

[scottmandue]

I have also been switching over to LED's... seems to me the price on the LED bulbs is coming down slowly.

[Typ616]

We had our new(old) home redone before moving in, all LEDs. I love the light quality, it's not cold or anything, and all switches have dimmers. They weren't cheap, I think $80 a piece for the fixture and bulb and there are a lot of them - but you just want bulbs.. it adds up, possibly in the same way a hybrid won't pay for itself for 300K miles ;-) But during a renovation we didn't care, it was needed, looked good and provided way more light... Electrical cost wise, we're paying peanuts now, but I don't think that's the LEDs as much as it is the lack of A/C in the new house !

Back when I played with a draw measuring device and did research on this, the big deals in the house were #1 old A/C, #2 old appliances (fridge(s)), #3 UPS !!! Surprised me (the UPS), I stopped using them. Pool pumps too, I hear...

[porsche4life]

Here's a slightly different style of LED light putting out a ton of light. We tossed this up as an experiment of sorts and it actually works damn well. These are LED light module strands intended for use inside signs. We had some stuff laying around out of a damaged sign( clipped by a truck). So we mounted it up since it was free! puts out really great light on the patio. Just enough for using the grill.

They are powered off a small weather proof power supply, and the modules are all weather tight as well.

Total power should be less than a 2 amp draw!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

So we mounted it up since it was free! puts out really great light on the patio. Just enough for using the grill.

Total power should be less than a 2 amp draw!

(which of course = 2x100W bulbs.)

FWIW, spacing them out and putting the rest in several rows will eliminate glare from one light source, plus reduce shadows.
When is dinner btw?

[porsche4life]

John the leds done ores paced for their intended use which is to be 8-10" behind a face. Space them out much more and you will get dark spots. We may put more somewhere else but te primary goal of those was to get good light on the grills. Shadows elsewhere aren't a concern.

[1990C4S]

I have seven pot lights in my kitchen, I replaced them all with LED GU10 equivalents, except over the sink. The LED's just aren't bright enough for that.

I also installed cheap LED tape lighting under my cupboards. For $20 it's a huge improvement.

[DByers]

flipper

Has anyone used the Cree UR series linear bulb replacements?

Cree UR Series

Flipper, I am a CREE Master Distributor and have done several project with that product. You can PM me and let me know your application and I can help you out.

Good to see people moving towards LED technology. Most of my lighting business now is LED which is great. We were an early adopter of the technology over 10 years ago. Its come a long way.

[kinein]

Research Confirms Advantages of LED Lights | CA Energy Efficiency Model

[red-beard]

I sell LED lights, but mostly for off-shore and remote locations. If you wish to understand your savings you will need:

1. The price you pay (on average) per kWh of electricity
2. The specific number of lights you wish to replace and their power level
3. The number of hours you have the bulbs turned on each day (on average).
4. The price difference between the LED bulb and the bulb you are presently using
5. The power difference between the LED bulb and the and bulb you are presently using

Here are my numbers

1. $0.089 /kWh
2. We will use 1 bulb, 120 Watts (Outside night light)
3. Outside night light, 12 hours per day
4. Led=$40, Regular $3
5. LED = 20 Watts

Power difference per day = 1200 Watt Hours = $0.1068 per day
Cost difference is $37.
Basic savings to pay for the difference in cost is 346 days of operation about a year.

So for an external, high power light, used a lot, it is VERY cost effective.

If the usage is 6 hours per day. It would require double the hours. If the power usage is lower, it may require even more time to pay back.

CFLs, are a lot cheaper than LEDs. They use around twice the power.

Where LEDs make sense are where the price of electricity is very high and/or when changing the bulbs is very expensive.

[chocolatelab]

A resurrection of sorts on this thread.

I have 61 recessed lights in our house.

All are the 6 inch variety with 65 watt bulbs.

I don't care for the straight build replacement but prefer the look of the recessed retrofit look.

Looking for 10-13 watt ( 13 on the high end ).

2700k range for warmer light

Home depot and lowes run around 20 bucks per retro unit.

Any vendor recommendations?

Thanks

[john70t]

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

Home depot and lowes run around 20 bucks per retro unit.

Any vendor recommendations?

I don't have the specific brand in front of me, but I bought some junk spotlight bulbs from Home Depot last year that failed miserably outside.
Can't recall the brand at this time.

Save your receipts and take a pic of the packaging.

All the other interior LED bulbs (10+) have worked well so far.