exportgoods
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Holy crap ^ That's scary. I really hope that doesn't happen to mine anytime soon.
How many folks use the energy saving bulbs?
- Thread starter inspectorD
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Help Support House Repair Talk:
mudmixer
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I use ICFs or LEDs wherever possible because of the economics (buy in bulk with utility sponsored pricing).
The exception is where there is a requirement for dimming or compatibility with other bulbs.
The options on the color are improving.
I had one crazy thing happen a couple of years ago when my garage door opener light was burning out quickly and the heavy duty bulbs were no better. I screwed in an ICF that I had and and it has lasted about 3 years so far. Due to cold winter temps, it starts out a little slow, but within a minute, it is at full power.
Dick
The exception is where there is a requirement for dimming or compatibility with other bulbs.
The options on the color are improving.
I had one crazy thing happen a couple of years ago when my garage door opener light was burning out quickly and the heavy duty bulbs were no better. I screwed in an ICF that I had and and it has lasted about 3 years so far. Due to cold winter temps, it starts out a little slow, but within a minute, it is at full power.
Dick
T
TxBuilder
Guest
It's the only time I've known of it. I pay attention to my bulbs though.
Since I change all the ones in our store and home, I see about 3 of those a month. Usually because they were in a high moisture environment.
Going with LEDs as these burn out. Those are nicely adjustable IF you get the 12VDC DC variety and run them through a transformer with a battery system like an RV. If the power goes out here, only the fridge quits working and a light comes on to tell me. After an hour or so, the LPG system starts to run the fridge.
Going with LEDs as these burn out. Those are nicely adjustable IF you get the 12VDC DC variety and run them through a transformer with a battery system like an RV. If the power goes out here, only the fridge quits working and a light comes on to tell me. After an hour or so, the LPG system starts to run the fridge.
We have changed every single bulb/fixture in our house inside and outside to LED.
Gives great light, no heat output, I will never have to change another bulb for as long as we live here.
I also put dimmer switches on just about every single bulb in the house so we can keep the whole house dimly lit at night, just a slight glow enough to see and each LED dimmed that low only burn about 1 watt.
Gives great light, no heat output, I will never have to change another bulb for as long as we live here.
I also put dimmer switches on just about every single bulb in the house so we can keep the whole house dimly lit at night, just a slight glow enough to see and each LED dimmed that low only burn about 1 watt.
C
Chris
Guest
If it wouldn't cost me 500 bucks to swap to LED's I probably would.
Speedbump
Water well etc.
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I just replaced practically every light in my home for around $200.00. Lots of 40 watt led's, a few 60's and kept a few CFL's that I already had. I even put four floods outside. They were 75 watts. The wattage I'm using is the equivalency to incandescence's. They are actually much, much lower wattage. The fact that they don't heat up your house is more AC friendly also.
Now, if I only had $50,000 to go solar, I could be electrically independent.
Now, if I only had $50,000 to go solar, I could be electrically independent.
nealtw
Contractor retired
I want to know why new houses are not wired for low dc voltage for the lights. So when you go solar you wouldn't need a converter for the lights
C
Chris
Guest
Because that would be convenient.
You can buy good LED bulbs and retrofit can lights from Costco.
I think the can lights are only $12 each which can replace every ceiling light in your house, they have ceiling lights that are large domes that are LED also plus numerous bulbs and a outdoor porch light.
I think we paid about $30 each for our can lights 3 years ago.
The porch light is $29 and is about 60W 800-900 lumens
The ceiling dome is $19 and you will need a dimmer because it is BRIGHT
The can lights are $12 also need a dimmer as they are 120W 1300 lumens
If you put in 6 can lights $72
3 ceiling domes $57
A few assorted bulbs in lamps which are cheap now probably $20-$30 for all
a porch light $29
You should be able to LED your whole house for about $200 or less.
PLUS Dimmers if you don't have them which are the most expensive part.
About 8 years ago our Summer time electric bills were over $450/month in a 1900 sq/ft townhome.
Then we replaced our HVAC from the old probably 3 SEER Trane that was still clicking along with no problems and was about 22 years old.
To a 14 SEER Trane and 90% AFUE gas furnace.
Within a month or so also replaced our old water heater from the 22 year old one to a LifeTime guarantee 50 gallon Marathon.
Between those two the electric bill dropped dramatically like over $450 down to about $250.
Then a year or so later we replaced our old electric stove with a nice Gas stove and 19 year old refrigerator which still worked great with a new counter depth Samsung which uses less electricity.
Probably about $220.
Put in an extra R38 batting in the Attic.
Down to about $200 ish
Then a couple years later replaced all lights with LED and right after that fully encapsulated , sealed vents, R13 insulation on walls etc our crawlspace.
Now down to about $160/month and that is after I think about 3 Rate Hikes from the power company "Duke" during this time.
So really with the rate hikes if we had done nothing we were probably looking at close to $500/month and now our highest bills are around $160.00
Lowest in the $80 range.
The Crawlspace encapsulation saved about 18% in Summer not sure about winter but much less to be sure.
I think the can lights are only $12 each which can replace every ceiling light in your house, they have ceiling lights that are large domes that are LED also plus numerous bulbs and a outdoor porch light.
I think we paid about $30 each for our can lights 3 years ago.
The porch light is $29 and is about 60W 800-900 lumens
The ceiling dome is $19 and you will need a dimmer because it is BRIGHT
The can lights are $12 also need a dimmer as they are 120W 1300 lumens
If you put in 6 can lights $72
3 ceiling domes $57
A few assorted bulbs in lamps which are cheap now probably $20-$30 for all
a porch light $29
You should be able to LED your whole house for about $200 or less.
PLUS Dimmers if you don't have them which are the most expensive part.
About 8 years ago our Summer time electric bills were over $450/month in a 1900 sq/ft townhome.
Then we replaced our HVAC from the old probably 3 SEER Trane that was still clicking along with no problems and was about 22 years old.
To a 14 SEER Trane and 90% AFUE gas furnace.
Within a month or so also replaced our old water heater from the 22 year old one to a LifeTime guarantee 50 gallon Marathon.
Between those two the electric bill dropped dramatically like over $450 down to about $250.
Then a year or so later we replaced our old electric stove with a nice Gas stove and 19 year old refrigerator which still worked great with a new counter depth Samsung which uses less electricity.
Probably about $220.
Put in an extra R38 batting in the Attic.
Down to about $200 ish
Then a couple years later replaced all lights with LED and right after that fully encapsulated , sealed vents, R13 insulation on walls etc our crawlspace.
Now down to about $160/month and that is after I think about 3 Rate Hikes from the power company "Duke" during this time.
So really with the rate hikes if we had done nothing we were probably looking at close to $500/month and now our highest bills are around $160.00
Lowest in the $80 range.
The Crawlspace encapsulation saved about 18% in Summer not sure about winter but much less to be sure.
Speedbump
Water well etc.
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I like what you did. The $200 I just spent on LED's for the house hasn't shown up on my next light bill yet, but I hope it's very noticeable. I might even have more insulation blown into the attic, that's got to help in the summer here in Florida. I have a few more floods to replace yet and my little 1100 foot rental is next to be LED'ed. Maybe the $50,000 for going totally solar won't even be worth it after a few more upgrades.
This thread has been around for a while and certainly shows the evolution of energy efficient lighting. I think CFLs will become obsolete in a few years as the price of LEDs have dropped and continue to do so. We tried some "dimmable" CFL PAR lights at church, the results were less than satisfactory. They tend to step down rather than a continuous dim, and they definitely didn't like being on a mixed circuit with incandescent bulbs and CFLs. I did not have the same issue with a mixed circuit of LED and incandescent PAR lights.
I've been swapping my incandescent bulbs out with LEDs as they burn out. I have 7 can lights in my bonus room that I swapped out over about a year. These are on a dimmer and work fine, I went with the same manufacturer on all of them incase there were differences in dimming between brands. The can above our sink was my first LED and it was $50 before a rebate. Now they are getting into the sub $20 range for PAR lights. I just swapped out 3 candelabra lights in an outdoor fixture, I have a few more to swap outdoors before I'm done. I have at least one exterior CFL flood right now, they do tend to start up a bit slow.
Colors on the LEDs are certainly getting better, now you can get them in a soft white instead WHITE!!!!! Still I think it will be a while before I go LED on our dining room fixture. It has at least 10 bulbs so completely outfitting it with LEDs would be a small fortune. Given the frequency of use the payback at today's prices would exceed my lifetime.
I've been swapping my incandescent bulbs out with LEDs as they burn out. I have 7 can lights in my bonus room that I swapped out over about a year. These are on a dimmer and work fine, I went with the same manufacturer on all of them incase there were differences in dimming between brands. The can above our sink was my first LED and it was $50 before a rebate. Now they are getting into the sub $20 range for PAR lights. I just swapped out 3 candelabra lights in an outdoor fixture, I have a few more to swap outdoors before I'm done. I have at least one exterior CFL flood right now, they do tend to start up a bit slow.
Colors on the LEDs are certainly getting better, now you can get them in a soft white instead WHITE!!!!! Still I think it will be a while before I go LED on our dining room fixture. It has at least 10 bulbs so completely outfitting it with LEDs would be a small fortune. Given the frequency of use the payback at today's prices would exceed my lifetime.
I haven't seen them in large quantities yet. I got three at Lowe's and they were about $10 each. Given the long life expectancy and the hours of use our outside light gets I felt it was decent investment. They also have a decent color rendition, that could work indoors in a more frequently used light. The dining fixture not so much.
I bought ours at Costco, 40W 300 lumen Chandelier LED in a 4 pack at Costco I believe at the time was only about $18 after a rebate so all 8 cost $36.
oldognewtrick
In memory of
http://www.costco.com/Feit-Chandeli...-25,000-Hours-|-4-pack.product.100116351.html
Here ya go, they also have the globe bulbs.
Here ya go, they also have the globe bulbs.
oldognewtrick
In memory of
This dimmable high-powered 4.8-watt flame tip chandelier is a direct replacement for a incandescent 40 watt flame tip chandelier bulb. It uses less energy than an incandescent, which saves money on energy costs and has an average life of 25,000 hours.
^Appears to be so.
^Appears to be so.
