Are you educated on the LED light bulb technology?  Most consumers and lighting experts are still trying to educate themselves as this technology continues to progress through its beginning phases.   While LED technology has been around for several years there is still plenty to learn and understand how this energy saving and reliable lighting solution can help you.

Why LED Light Bulbs?

LED light bulbs lead the lighting industry with their extremely long life and energy efficiencies.  LEDs are expected to have a working life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours which is significantly higher than incandescent and CFL light bulbs.  Incandescent light bulbs typically have a max working life of 1,000 hours while CFLs are expected to last 10,000 hours.  Generally speaking, a LED light bulb will last 60 times longer than any incandescent bulb and 6 times longer than a CFL light bulb.

In addition to their long life, LED bulbs provide an amazing amount of efficiency for the consumer and the environment.  Whether they are being used in a residential or commercial lighting application, these bulbs provide a significant amount of savings.   These bulbs traditionally use less than 1/6 as much energy as an incandescent bulb and about 2 to 3 times less than compact fluorescents.   This savings equates to several hundreds of dollars worth of savings throughout the life of the bulb.   While these energy savings typically affect the consumer’s pocket book, LEDs help the environment be cleaner and significantly greener.  The use of LED light bulbs reduces the mercury and harmful emission footprint in our environment.  Most CFLs contain mercury while the use of incandescent bulbs requires more energy and electricity.

The use of LEDs, which have a longer rated life, help reduce your maintenance costs.  The longer rated life translated into a lower setup cost, which helps justify the light bulb.  Most individuals have a narrow focus around the cost of the bulb and its electricity costs, but there certainly is a cost savings in the labor and time needed to install a new light bulb.

LED Light Bulbs and their Concerns

The one overwhelming issue with LED light bulbs is the up front costs included with using LEDs.  These bulbs have consistently continued to drop in price and will continue to fall as the market becomes saturated and competition drives the prices and materials lower.  While these bulbs are cost effective, it’s hard to achieve the optimal return on investment when CFLs and other light bulbs are significantly cheaper.

In addition to high costs, quality is also a major concern.  When CFLs where first introduced into the market, several companies rushed to offer products first while several had a low quality record.  This same issue is also occurring with the LED light bulb market and you must be aware of it.  When looking for LED light bulbs, make sure you choose bulbs that have been manufactured from well-known companies and ones that are sold with product warranties longer than a year.

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Myth #1: The heat from incandescent bulbs help heat the house.

Incandescent bulbs do produce heat; however they do so very inefficiently.  Most of the energy output from these light bulbs is wasted and not used.  In fact the heat from the light bulb is just as inefficient as electric baseboard heaters in your house. Therefore there is no real evidence that incandescent light bulbs provide heat for your house and help reduce your heating bill.

Myth #2: New CFL light bulbs contain mercury.

Yes, CFL light bulbs do contain a very small amount of mercury, however very small is the appropriate phrase.  There are several items in this world that contain mercury, including tuna.  Mercury is found in tuna because of air pollution from coal-fired power plants. A researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has said that if you break a CFL light bulb and do a good job of cleaning it up, your mercury exposure would be like taking a nibble of tuna. On the other hand, if you closed all the doors and smashed the bulb with a hammer, it would be like eating a can of tuna.

Myth #3: CFLs produce a weak flickering pale light.

Yes, some CFL bulbs do produce a weak light, however there are plenty on the market that produce the same soft yellow light as incandescent light bulbs.  There are even CFL light bulbs that produce brighter warm and daylight white colors too.

Myth #4. CFL bulbs don’t work with dimmer switches.

False, CFL light bulbs do work with dimmer switches.  It’s extremely easy to find a dimmable CFL light bulb today.

Myth #5. They don’t last as long as they should.

CFL light bulbs have proved to have a faster burnout rates such as bathrooms, recessed lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, and etc.  Several variables unfortunately have led to shorter life spans than originally expected.  New CFL bulbs still last approximately 6 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs that burn out after about 1,000 hours.

Myth #6. They don’t come on immediately.

This is no longer the case for most CFLs.  These light bulbs contain small electronic ballasts that have improved throughout the years helping reduce the start up times.

Myth #7. There’s no safe disposal methods or recycling programs.

False, there are safe disposal methods for broken CFL light bulbs and there are great recycling programs for CFLs that need to be disposed of.  Need to clean up a broken bulb, check out the latest light bulb clean up procedure.   If you are looking to recycle CFL light bulbs, you can find your nearest recycling drop-off at Earth911.com.

Myth #8. Everyone should use LEDs, not CFLs.

LED bulbs are much more efficient than CFL light bulbs.  Unfortunately, LED light bulbs are still expensive ($40 per bulb).  As the technology continues to improve, the prices will continue fall for LED bulbs making them the top light bulb in about 10 years.

CFL reflectors are manufactured in two different types, an indoor compact fluorescent bulb and an outdoor compact fluorescent bulb, both of which are sold in the same size and wattages.   An indoor CFL reflector is typically a lightweight bulb that is used in indoor lighting fixtures.  These bulbs are designated as R series bulbs and manufactured in several types and different sizes including R20, R30, and R40.  The different R designators are the diameter measurements of each bulb.  The diameter helps you understand the size of bulb that will fit into your lighting fixture.  In order to decipher the diameter out of the different designators, you have to divide the R number by 8.  (i.e. R30 / 8 = 3.75”)

R20
2.5” Diameter

R30
3.75” Diameter

R40
5” Diameter

The outdoor CFL reflector is a heavier and more rugged bulb that is designed to with stand harsh environmental temperatures and weather.  These bulbs are predominantly manufactured in two different sizes, PAR30 and PAR38.    The PAR series bulbs (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) are also measured and designated by the diameter of the bulb.  The diameter of each PAR bulb can be calculated by dividing the R designator number by 8.  (i.e. PAR38 / 8 = 4.75”)

PAR30
3.75” Diameter

PAR38
4.75” Diameter

Each these bulbs above, go well in most all light applications.  The R series bulbs are great in recessed lighting fixtures including the Kitchen and other rooms that use down lighting for decoration.  Track lighting and dimmable lighting fixtures also normally require the use of CFL reflectors.  The PAR series bulbs are normally used in all outdoor lighting fixtures.  These bulbs make great outdoor spot lights, security lights, and other outdoor lighting decorations.

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32 Watt – T8 Linear Fluorescent Bulb – 3500K – 2850 Lumens – F32/T8/735 – LFT832735 (Case of 25)

$45.00 per Case

All about the bulb…

Brand	EarthTronics
Wattage	32 Watt
Voltage	120 Volt
Bulb Shape	Medium Bi-Pin
Bulb Type	T8 Linear Bulb
Color Temperature	3500K
CRI	75
Lumens	2850
Life Hours	22,000
Diameter (in)	1"
Length (in)	48"
Case Quantity	25
Part Number	LFT832735

Where you can use this bulb…

Ceiling Fixtures
Work Fixtures
Kitchen Fixtures

Buy 1 Case and we will ship it to you for FREE!

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In the past several weeks, CFL light bulb manufactures have came up against strong resistance from the government and other political figures.  Several individuals want to see the incandescent bulb ban lifted in order to allow consumers to continue to buy and use any incandescent.   However, I think several people are over looking the benefits and efficiency of CFL light bulbs.  Outlined below are several benefits that help show why CFLs have a bright future in the lighting industry.

Efficiency:

• CFL light bulbs are 4 times more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs.
• CFLs last up to 10 times longer than any incandescent bulb.
• A CFL bulb uses approximately ¼ as much energy as any incandescent.
• You can power a 100 watt light fixture with as little as 23 watts of electricity.

Cost Effective:

• Initially CFL light bulbs are more expensive, however in the long run you save money because a CFL bulb will use 50 – 80% less energy.
• The average CFL light bulb will pay for itself in about 6 months.
• Using the rate of 10 cents per kilowatt, if you use one 13 watt CFL light bulb in the place of a 60 watt incandescent, you will save approximately $65.

Light Quality:

• CFL light bulbs output a warm, soothing light versus older fluorescent bulbs which give off a “cool white” light.
• CFLs are available in several different color temperatures including: soft white, bright white, and daylight white.
• New electronic ballasts are installed in all CFL light bulbs to help minimize the flicker, hum, and start-up time.

Flexibility:

• CFLs can be used almost anywhere an incandescent light bulb can be.
• 3 – Way CFL light bulbs are available to use in lighting fixtures with 3-way settings.
• Dimmable CFLs are now being manufactured to use with dimmer switches.
• CFL light bulbs come all different shapes and sizes to handle various different lighting projects.

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13 Watt 6500K CFL – Daylight White – 900 Lumens CFL Light Bulb – Spiral CFL – T3 CFL – 60 W Equivalent

All about the bulb…

Brand	EarthTronics
Wattage	13 Watt
Voltage	120 Volt
Bulb Shape	Spiral CFL
Base Type	Medium (E26)
Bulb Color	Daylight White
Color Temperature	6500K
CRI	82
Lumens	900
Life Hours	12,000
Length (in)	3.4
Dimmable	No
Part Number	CF13DL1B

Where you can use this bulb…

Table/Floor Lamps
Ceiling Fixtures
Ceiling Fans
Wall Scones
Outdoor Covered Lamps

Buy 6 or more bulbs today and we will ship them to you for FREE!

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As we continue in 2011 one of the biggest changes that will affect consumers is the switch from watts to lumens.  Since the beginning, most think of a light bulb’s brightness being measured and referred to in terms of watts.   Watts is actually a measurement of power and does not directly indicate a level of brightness while lumens are the brightness level of the bulb.  New in 2011, light bulbs will be packaged using a new label that will display the lumens that the bulb will output.  Since this change affects your light bulb decisions it’s important that you understand the difference between a watt and why lumens are important.

A lumen is a measurement of the brightness of the light bulb.  The brightness of the bulb is the light that can be seen by the human eye.

A watt is a unit of power or the amount of electrical power that a light bulb consumes.   In other terms, wattage is the product of amperage times volts.

As new energy efficient light bulbs move into the market, the measurement of lumens will continue to be more important.  New light bulbs are being designed to use less electricity (i.e. wattage) but put out a brighter light (i.e. lumens).  New CFL light bulbs and LED light bulbs meet this requirement compared to an older incandescent light bulb.   Going forward, if all light bulbs were referred to in terms of watts, it would be confusing comparing older incandescent bulbs with newer brighter bulbs that have a lower wattage.  This is the very reason why lumens are now preferred and are being used to identify light bulbs.  It is the goal to have a light bulb that is efficient but also the brightest.  As a tool to help determine what lumens to expect for a given wattage refer to the following chart.

Lumens	CFL Light Bulb Wattage (W)	Incandescent Wattage (W)
450	8-9	40
800	9-14	60
1,100	14-19	75
1,600	20-24	100
2,600	25-45	150

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16 Watt R30 Bulb – Dimmable CFL Reflector – 700 Lumens – 2700K – Soft White – 65 Watt Equivalent – Neptun – 33016-ADIM

All about the bulb…

Brand:                                     Neptun

Wattage:                                  16 Watt

Voltage:                                  120 Volt

Bulb Shape:                             R30 Bulb

Base Type:                              Medium (E26)

Bulb Color:                             Soft White

Color Temperature:                 2700K

CRI:                                        82

Lumens:                                  600

Life Hours:                              8,000

Diameter (in):                          3.75

Length (in):                             5.625

Dimmable:                               Yes

Part Number:                           33016-ADIM

Where you can use this bulb…

Kitchen Lighting
Recessed Can Lighting
Track Lighting
Weatherproof Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Buy 3 or more bulbs today and we will ship them to you for FREE!

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In order to minimize the exposure to the mercury, it’s highly recommended that the following steps are followed during the clean and disposal of the CFL light bulb.

CFL Light Bulb Cleanup and Disposal Overview

The most important steps to reduce the exposure to mercury vapor from broken CFL light bulbs are:

Prior to Cleanup

1. Completely vacate the room.

2. Air out the room exposing it to the outdoor environments for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Shut off your Air Conditioning or Heating Systems.

4. Gather the materials need to clean up the broken light bulb(s).

Cleanup

1. Completely collect and clean up broken glass and visible powder.

2. Seal the broken glass and powder in a sealable bag or container.

After Cleanup

1. Place the sealed package into an outside container until it can be disposed of.

2. Continue to air out the room in which the bulb broke for several hours.

For additional information about cleaning up broken CFL light bulbs please visit EPA.gov.

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1. CFL light bulbs used on dimmer switches must be manufactured for dimmable lighting applications.  These light bulbs will have packaging that notifies the consumer its safe to use in dimmable lighting fixtures.

Using dimmable CFLs in lighting applications can save the consumer additional energy and money!

2. Buying a 3-Way CFL light bulb is the proper way to yield the most efficiency from 3-Way lighting fixtures.  The use of regular CFLs will work, but only at its normal level.

3. Remember a CFL may require a short warm up period to reach its maximum brightness.  In order for a CFL light bulb to reach its brightest output, the internal gases must reach a predetermined temperature.  The warm up period is the duration that it takes for the gases to rise to that specific temperature.

4. Did you know that CFL light bulbs can be used in closed or recessed fixtures as long as there is airflow to or around the light bulb?

5. Using outdoor lighting bulbs? Remember that there are types of CFL light bulbs manufactured for outdoor use.  These bulbs are typically represented with the acronym, PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector), which signifies that the bulb has been manufactured to handle the outdoor environments.

6. Garage door openers and Ceiling fans can vibrate at times and may cause premature failure to the CFL light bulb and its internal electronics.

7. CFL Reflectors or floodlights are available for use with indoor and outdoor lighting applications. Remember when buying CFL reflectors you will need the diameter of the bulb, the wattage, and new in 2011 the lumens required for the lighting application.

8. Looking to replace the light bulbs in your chandelier?  Energy efficient decorative CFL bulbs are available for purchase.

9. CFL light bulbs are manufactured in several different temperature colors including everything from daylight white (6500k) to warm white (3000k) and soft white (2700k).  Daylight white makes a great reading light while the softer warm white and soft white lights are great for bathrooms and applying cosmetics.

10. Do you have a light bulb that stays on for extended amounts of time? Outdoor post lamps, outdoor floodlights, kitchen can lights, and living room lights are just a few that might stay on for a long time. Remember CFLs are more efficient and last longer if they are not switched on and off frequently.

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