LED lights

[jbailey]

Anyone know if the LED lights are any good yet? I'm tired of CFLs burning out in less than a year for the cost and am switching back to incandescents for now. Replacing these things yearly can't be resulting in a net improvement for the environment.

Comments

[broonie]

CFLs are generally supposed to last way more than a year (that's one of the things they use to sell them round here)...

[zwol]

I've had CFLs last years, but I've also had them repeatedly fail just after installation in *one specific light fixture*. Based on that I suspect they're a lot more sensitive to dodgy electrical supplies than incandescents are.

[xtat]

Random tip: somehow the IKEA CFLs last for eons-- where eons = 3+years They are the only ones I will buy.

Reduce stress to prolong life

[ext_18134]

I agree with earlier comments that there's something wrong if your CFL bulbs are lasting less than 3 or 4 years. One year per bulb is ridiculously short.

Fluorescent bulbs can have their lifespan significantly reduced by turning them on and off frequently. If you'll be moving around the house a fair bit, only staying in a room for a few minutes or leaving then coming back a few minutes later, leaving the lights on in those rooms will prolong their lifespan.

LED!

[ext_412016]

The LED's I purchased for our display cabinets at work are working FABULOUSLY! and were totally worth the $15/bulb I spent on them.. over a year already.

I hear you on the crap CFL's - they're out there. Someone recommended to me that if you're going to buy one, get one of the more expensive ones - with the better name that you know - Sylvania, Phillips etc. because their quality standards are higher. Based on that premise the few I've had to purchase were Sylvania and about $3 more than the run of the mill ones on the shelf (and what seemed to be cheaper Sylvania's were also in that mix) and they've worked well so far. And recently - a few of the big stores have completely taken incandescents off the shelf all together.