LED Lighting Fixtures: LEDs Coming of Age
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 10.12.07
TreeHugger has been waiting and waiting for LEDs to replace common lightbulbs in normal fixtures, and we've found a few, but widespread adoption and use has been a bit spotty. However, things like salmon sperm continue to help improve the technology, and the super-efficient bulbs are becoming more widely available, even in previously hard-to-find configuration like recessed can lighting.
Today's case in point: a restaurant in Massachusetts, who replaced their incandescent lighting (picture above) that consumed 5,135 Watts (65 W per bulb) with LEDs (pic below the fold) that consume 948 Watts (12W per bulb), courtesy of LED Lighting Fixture, Inc.’s LR6 6-inch recessed can fixture that screws right in to the socket. As noted over at Green Talk, they aren't a solve-all silver bullet; the bulbs don't work with all dimmers and fixtures just yet (here's a list of compatible fixtures) and are pretty spendy up front at $85. The bucks nearly stop there, though.
According to the company, “On average in the United States, running a 65-watt light for 50,000 hours would cost $325 in electricity alone. Because the LR6 uses only 12 watts, running the light for 50,000 hours will cost only $60 under the same scenario. In addition, you will no longer spend time or money replacing lights. Over the lifetime of one LR6, you will save $265 dollars or more on your electric bill alone." Wow.
For more technical information, see the LR6 specification sheet. The company's future plans include the introduction of sister light, the LR4, which is a four inch bulb for new construction and new recessed lights. ::LED Lighting Fixture, Inc. via ::Hugg and ::Green Talk
Before...
...and after...
...and the recessed fixture responsible for the light.
I recently bought a sampler package of a handful of LED bulbs from a place in Tennessee called Don's Green Store.
I have to say, I've become acustomed to CFL light, and the light from the Hight Power JDR, 3 Watt, 160 lumens, cool white bulb is not all that white-- but it's actually a pretty cool blue. Or maybe an annoying cool blue. Depends on your perspective. I think it's something I can grow accustomed to. There are some lighting applications where the 160 lumen bulb will no doubt work pretty well. And you can't argue with 3 watts.
I needed to replace my porch light which is what prompted me to buy the bulb packet in the first place. The 36 LEDs, 3.6 Watt, amber light is out there, and it does not produce a lot of light at all. Would not be a good light if the intent was safety, but it actually is kinda like having a candle light outside by the door, so it is nice for atmosphere.
As of right now, I'm not sure I'd recommend LED lights for reading or lighting up a living room, but there's all sorts of instances where they can already make a difference. And by the time WalMart and friends have successfully switched the masses to CFLs, it'll be time to re-educate everyone on how wasteful CFLs are compared to the next generation LEDs.
Don included an extra 36 LED 3.6 watt light because he indicated they were having problems with some of them being defective. I haven't checked them both, but I thought that was super nice of him.
http://www.donsgreenstore.com/LED%20light%20bulb%20sample%20pack%207.html
LED-
I bought some cheapo (relatively) and the reading light (spot) I gave to my Mom was slightly blue and was great for reading she said, however it burned out after a couple of months and so did the next one I gave her. I have a dim globe one I use as a night light and has been working fine.
I will keep trying every few months until I find some reliable, cost effective, bright ones.
vsk
LEDs have a LOT of potential and are rapidly improving. there really aren't any good recessed fixtures yet though. the glare coming off of those fixtures is pretty evident in those pics and worse in real life. quality of light is as big a part of lighting as number of lumens put out. there are a number of great LED cove and undercabinet type led fixtures and it's the way to go for color changing, but i'm just not seeing good household lamp or downlight replacements yet. -yet-
I've been slowly replacing the light bulbs in my house with these as they burn out. Were now have 50 percent of both. It does take a little getting used too. The LEDs do put off a slightly different colored light but in my opinion they are brighter than regular light bulbs. The only place i have a problem with them is the refrigerator. I can only fit a small one in there and its not nearly bright enough to light my fridge efficiently. But i am willing to make the sacrifice
Hi. Collin, thanks for summarizing my article on Green Talk. The $85 price was obtained from a tristate NY area company. In different areas of the country it may be alot cheaper. In addition, other companies may be willing to sell them in a case which also may make them cheaper. Check for dealers on LLF's site.
Lucynda- which LEDs are you using? From your paragraph it seems like you are using the LLF LED mentioned in the ariticle. If not, does your leds provide directional lighting or llighting similar to an incandescent bulb? anna www.green-talk.com
Collin-I heard from the Company that the price I was quoted was too low for retail consumption despite the fact I confirmed the price with this particular dealer twice. In speaking with another dealer, I was quoted a price of $125 and online it is $130.00. If you have a volume order you may be able to receive a discount. I have changed my article to reflect the correct price.
**Author's comments**
Thanks Anna! Folks, please take note of this!
-CD
Ok,
Can we make a rule?
If you are going to show before and after photos of lighting installations, you MUST also post the exposure time and aperature settings.
Although we potentilaly have some clues that show the LED lights in the above photos indeed are as bright (i.e. the light in the kitchen--but who knows if lights were turned on or off) it is impossible to know that they are brighter by a photo unless we know how long the shutter was open and how big the aperature is.
If you don't believe me talk to any pro photographer--with the right camera settings a single candle can appear to light up a room the same as 1000w bulb...
Mike
The exposures for the two pictures are the same, according to their website.
LED technology is getting more and more mature.Like our customer,they buy a small quantity for trial.then found our quality is very stable.they buy big quantity then...
LED lighting mostly based on the LED source.We use the quality led from Taiwan for low power led lighting and for high power led lighting,the led from CREE in usa.
Our price is a little higher than other suppliers.but quality is most important..
If you are interested in our products,pls browse our website:www.jmelectronics.cn
Carol
LED technology is getting more and more mature.Like our customer,they buy a small quantity for trial.then found our quality is very stable.they buy big quantity then...
LED lighting mostly based on the LED source.We use the quality led from Taiwan for low power led lighting and for high power led lighting,the led from CREE in usa.
Our price is a little higher than other suppliers.but quality is most important..
If you are interested in our products,pls browse our website:www.jmelectronics.cn
Carol
I investigated the LLF "Where to buy" vendors in my Area (San Jose, CA) and received the following quotes for the LR6 LED lamp:
$88.00 ea
Vendor: Central Wholesale Electrical Distributors, Inc.
827 Industrial Drive, Unit A
Hollister, CA 95023
ph#831.637.1500
$94.00 ea
Vendor: Lite Line
51-F University Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Ph#888.399.9003
Neither price includes shipping of any sort. These appear to be normal, walk-in merchants, so they probably don't offer shipping. This is also California, so that means add another 8.25% Sales Tax to any purchase.
The person I spoke with at Lite Line said the LR6 (incandescent) replacements were excellent in color, and brightness in comparison to their original incandescent equivelents. They also said the neutral white (LR6C) did not look nearly as good as the recommended LR6 white. They also said the diffusion completely disguised the LED as the light source.
I then got down to the most important question of all... I asked about how they behaved when using a dimmer. He told they were as smooth as an incandescent would behave. For me, this is all about being able to dim lights. Every light in my home has a dimmer (manual, or X10 controlled), and this is the main reason I have not converted to CFLs already.
This is enough incentive for me to make the $100 purchase and give one of these LED downlights a shot. With a lifespan estimated at 20 years per bulb, replacing my most frequently used CAN bulbs, and simply unscrewing the unnecessary incandescents when no one is visiting, I should dramatically reduce my lighting costs without having to replace every single bulb at once (I have about 15 can lights throughout the house.)
LEDs, although costly, appear to be more dimmer-friendly. I really wish the dimming capability became a key factor in comparing any and all green lighting alternatives. For most family and friends of mine, this is the single most important (personal) factor in such decisions, especially after investing in quality dimmers throughout the house.
Raises the question: What costs more? A 60W incandescent dimmed to 25% of its lighting capacity, or a CFL equivilent at full brightness?How do you deliver variable brightness with a CFL solution? Seems like an opportunity to further reduce power consumption if we could choose to use less than the full CFL's stated wattage. What happens if you do accidentally dim a CFL that isn't dimmable? does it shorten its life or damage it in any way? I know when I dimmed my boom box by accident, it never boomed again...(simulated brown out).
-Jason
Disclosure- I'm one of the retailers mentioned in the comments above.
The LR6 really is a revolutionary bulb. It's not just the next logical step in lighting, it's a whole new dynamic.
Up until it was released, you realistically could not use LEDs to properly light any room of your house. They were only good for individual lights- such as reading lights, flash lights, etc.
Any replacement LED bulb just didn't have the brightness to replace an incandescent.
Now, suddenly, you have the opportunity to truly illuminate any room of your house with LED bulbs. Add to that, LED under cabinet lighting or puck lighting and you can now have 100% of your kitchen lights as LED.
Most importantly, you're not sacrificing anything in light output or quality (when compared to incandescent).
Low voltage halogen bulbs still hold an edge in the whiteness of a light. So special artwork and other color sensitive pieces would do best under those. And keep in mind, low voltage halogens are rather energy efficient- it's just a matter of scale.
As to glare. The LR6 has no more glare than a regular bulb. In fact, I think it's actually less. LLF has done a wonderful job with the casing of the bulb to generate a very even coverage of light.
The only drawback is the ~$100.00 price tag. That, of course, will drop. But even with that price, it's still worth it in many applications.
And with California requiring high efficacy bulbs (which until now were fluorescent), you finally have the opportunity to save energy and *not* introduce poisons into the environment - unlike fluorescent bulbs.
I have tested $100's of dollars worth of LED bulbs over the years. I have been disappointed 100% of the time. They *never* lived up to the sales literature and never provided anything more than a simple light. Keep in mind that my angle was to effectively light up rooms and to use LED in my lighting designs.
The LR6 changes this.
And don't think I'm gushing all over this for the money. I make way less on these bulbs than I do with CF recessed lights. But I simply will never spec a fluorescent light if I can use the LR6 instead.
Forbes has a wonderful article on the potential of LEDs.
For glare-free LED downlights, check out www.galliumlighting.com. Gallium's GS6 produces about 2x as much light as the LLF retrofit module.