Major lighting companies are working tirelessly towards becoming the first to own the LED market. The super-effiicient light source is the future of lighting, but so far, for most consumers the available LED bulbs have been too expensive and dimmer than the incandescent bulbs we're used to.
But that seems to be changing. In the next few months, 60-watt equivalent bulbs in the $30 - $40 price range will be hitting the shelves. In comparison, just two years ago, a 60-watt equivalent cost $90 and a 100-watt dimmable bulb went for $360.
Osram Sylvania is releasing an LED bulb in August that emits 810 lumens (similar to a 60-watt incandescent) that only consumes 12 watts and should last 12 times longer than an incandescent bulb. That bulb should cost around $40. The company is also releasing a 75-watt equivalent next year.
Lighting Science will soon start selling a 770 lumen, 9 watt LED bulb at Home Depot with a price in the low $30 range. Other lighting companies like GE, Panasonic, Lemnis Lighting and Philips are all scrambling to hit a similar lumen-per-price ratio.
Why is $30 for a 60-watt equivalent an important milestone? Well, first-off, the 60-watt bulb is the best-selling incandescent, so bringing an equivalent consumer LED bulb into an affordable price range is key. Secondly, industry experts say that once LEDs hit $20, utilities could give them away to customers because the energy saved would cover the cost of the bulbs and would allow them to postpone bringing on new power plants. So, getting the cost of these bulbs into the $30 range means that a $20 bulb is right around the corner.
via Greentech Media
Hits: 25941
Comments (29)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Louise, May 18, 2010
I'm so excited about this [sad I know!]. I'm about to move house, so hopefully I'll be able to get at least one of these for my new place. I'm in the UK, but I've just looked online and it seems there are some 60W equivalent LED bulbs available. The only dilemma is that like anything else I'm sure they will get cheaper and better with time, and if I buy one now I'll have to wait 10+ years to replace it. I tend to be the kind of person who lets everyone else be first and then reaps the benefits, but with this I'm willing to be one of the first. Can't wait.
-
- +1
-
-
written by Josh, May 18, 2010
Secondly, industry experts say that once LEDs hit $20, utilities could give them away to customers because the energy saved would cover the cost of the bulbs and would allow them to postpone bringing on new power plants.
If that were true, why has it not happened with CFLs? They're much cheaper and offer similar power savings?
-
- +2
-
-
written by Gubba, May 19, 2010
I don't believe for an instant that the suggested retail prices in the article reflect the true cost of manufacturing these lights. I suspect that the true cost is a small fraction of the suggested retail price.
This is simply price gouging because they can.
This is simply price gouging because they can.
-
- -2
-
-
written by Marc, May 19, 2010
OK...pseudo LED lighting is finally here. I say pseudo because the lights still use a phosphor layer on the surface of the bulb (why they are yellowish) to generate a green light. They do this because, up until recently, they could not makea green LED light.
Well...ORNL has recently invented the green LED light and say it will be in production by about 2013. The pure white LED light will not have a phosphor layer and be about twice as efficient as the bulbs coming out now.
So....the problem is. If I buy a 60$ pseudo LED light now...the darn thing is going to last till 2020...but the true LED bulb is going to come out in 2013...do you see my dilemma?
Well...ORNL has recently invented the green LED light and say it will be in production by about 2013. The pure white LED light will not have a phosphor layer and be about twice as efficient as the bulbs coming out now.
So....the problem is. If I buy a 60$ pseudo LED light now...the darn thing is going to last till 2020...but the true LED bulb is going to come out in 2013...do you see my dilemma?
-
- +0
-
-
written by Stuart Brierley, May 19, 2010
I have received quite a few free CFL bulbs from the British Gas (also an electricity provider), and I think it is common practice with other providers too.
If a 60w equivalent LED uses 12w isn't this similar to CFL power usage? Is there a benefit manufacturing or lifetime wise to these LED bulbs?
If a 60w equivalent LED uses 12w isn't this similar to CFL power usage? Is there a benefit manufacturing or lifetime wise to these LED bulbs?
-
- +2
-
-
written by Doc Rings, May 19, 2010
Think of the money I've saved already by not buying the $90 bulbs two years ago! 
At some point, I'll save more money by buying & using them, and not just waiting...
I still have CFL's around the house, so no LED's until they burn out in 7+ years...
Use to be you could get a 4 pack of "warm" CFL's at Lowe's for about $7.
I'll have to see where the break-even point is for hopping into the LED market with my energy costing 9.5c per Kwh.
At some point, I'll save more money by buying & using them, and not just waiting...
I still have CFL's around the house, so no LED's until they burn out in 7+ years...
Use to be you could get a 4 pack of "warm" CFL's at Lowe's for about $7.
I'll have to see where the break-even point is for hopping into the LED market with my energy costing 9.5c per Kwh.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Jonathan, May 19, 2010
I've been to several events where my local power company was handing out CFLs. Pretty much any time they set up a booth at a public event, there's a stack of CFLs on one side and information about free power-use audits on the other.
-
- +0
-
-
written by RunawayJim, May 19, 2010
$30 is not affordable for a single light bulb. CFL's cost just a few dollars. LED bulbs will not be adopted by the mainstream until they are more closely aligned with the prices of CFL's, which offer about the same in power savings.
-
- +1
-
-
written by Yup, May 19, 2010
It has. The Utility I work for gives away buckets of the things.
-
- +0
-
-
written by StephenL3, May 19, 2010
YA the manufacturing cost is probably really small Gubba, but the equipment and technology R&D costs needs to be paid for, and since there is not a huge demand they need to pay that somehow. You can't just give stuff away hoping it becomes popular enough to pull yourself outta the debt.
-
- +2
-
-
written by Jackal, May 19, 2010
Genuine question. There is apart I don't understand. Currently a 60 Watt equivalent CFL uses 13 watt. So what is so great about a LED using 12 watts? Seems like a step backwards to me considering the costs are 5 times more.
-
- +2
-
-
written by RunawayJim, May 20, 2010
It may not be evolutionary in terms of power savings, but CFL's contain mercury.
Also, the percentage of power saved is greater in small increments as you get lower in wattage.
I agree with you on the price. I don't know how anyone can get off calling these things affordable. For the price of one bulb, you can buy at least 5 CFL's.
Also, the percentage of power saved is greater in small increments as you get lower in wattage.
I agree with you on the price. I don't know how anyone can get off calling these things affordable. For the price of one bulb, you can buy at least 5 CFL's.
-
- +2
-
-
written by Kevin, May 20, 2010
We can't use CFL's because fluorescents are a migraine trigger for my wife. In extreme cases 5 mins exposure has lead to 3 days incapacitation, and yes, we've done 'blind' trials with hidden light sources. So I have to do all the shopping, and the local hospital is completely inaccessible.
So I'm really excited about finally getting access to a low energy lighting technology.
Of course since in the UK we have some heating on for more than half the year, our savings will be rather less than in warmer climates. If you use heating all year, then waste heat from bulbs isn't wasted. On the other hand, if you use aircon, you're paying for the waste energy twice, once to generate it and again to remove it.
So I'm really excited about finally getting access to a low energy lighting technology.
Of course since in the UK we have some heating on for more than half the year, our savings will be rather less than in warmer climates. If you use heating all year, then waste heat from bulbs isn't wasted. On the other hand, if you use aircon, you're paying for the waste energy twice, once to generate it and again to remove it.
-
- +2
-
-
written by Tom Savage, May 23, 2010
This is going to be huge! This will be a big step. Last year, a lot of people started using LED lamps for their Christmas lights and that made a big difference. According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if everyone in the US replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. Now, imagine how much the savings will be if there are cheaper LED bulbs available.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Jason Petty, May 24, 2010
The key is the light output. What kind of light does the LED produce - spend $10 or $100 - if the kelvin temperature is not right you will not be happy with it in household applications. I just got back from a lighting trade show and hunted down the best lamp for household use. I found the Lemnis Pharox 300 is the best LED in the market. Here is a link if anyone is interested www.SOSLightBulbs.com
After seeing good light and bad (honestly a lot of Chinese product) - I really think most will be happy that they checked into color temperature before buying a bulb.
After seeing good light and bad (honestly a lot of Chinese product) - I really think most will be happy that they checked into color temperature before buying a bulb.
-
- +2
-
-
written by ann philip, May 27, 2010
These lights provide alot of light on stairs now I'm not missing anymore steps. I recommend that you buy these lights and get three for your stairway.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Larry Leichtman, May 27, 2010
LED's don't have the danger of mercury contamination if broken as CFL lights.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Zach Hunter, May 28, 2010
For those who consider replacing their CFLs with LEDs - please wait until you actually have to buy new bulbs! The waste from throwing away a good CFL + manufacturing a new LED couldn't possibly outweigh the energy savings.
-
- +0
-
-
written by North, June 01, 2010
We started buying CFLs when they finally dropped to the affordable price of $25. In the mid 1990s. Why? because we were off the grid and could not waste a single watt. So 30 bucks seems reasonable for early adopters. however I have never seen a bulb last as long as advertised.
-
- +0
-
-
written by wouter, June 02, 2010
In Holland at IKEA you can buy 3 CFLs of 60Watt equivalent for 2.50 euro's (about $3.06 according to xe.com). They use 12Watt and can be used for 6+ years.
IKEA has this offer for more then 10 years now.
Let's compare this to this new LED bulb:
8/6 (years) * $3.06 / 3 (pieces) = $1.36 per CFL bulb for 8 years usage. That is about 22-29 times cheaper than this new LED bulb.
IKEA has this offer for more then 10 years now.
Let's compare this to this new LED bulb:
8/6 (years) * $3.06 / 3 (pieces) = $1.36 per CFL bulb for 8 years usage. That is about 22-29 times cheaper than this new LED bulb.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Al Toman, June 05, 2010
Can purchase an 8 pack of the GE Energy Smart CFL for 8.43 (plus S&H). It is 13 watts over 8000 hours. At 15cents per KWH it costs $16.66 over its lifetime.
The OSRAM costs $35. It is 12 watts over 60,000 hours. At 15cents per KWH it costs $143.00 over its lifetime.
You would need 7 CFLs over the lifetime of the LED for a total cost of $174.31. This results in a savings of $31.31 using the single LED.
If you are in a commercial application then you would have to calculate the time/labor expense in changing out 7 CFL bulbs. Now, multiply that by 100 or 1000 bulbs in your facility and that comes to a substantial savings even at today's cost.
The OSRAM costs $35. It is 12 watts over 60,000 hours. At 15cents per KWH it costs $143.00 over its lifetime.
You would need 7 CFLs over the lifetime of the LED for a total cost of $174.31. This results in a savings of $31.31 using the single LED.
If you are in a commercial application then you would have to calculate the time/labor expense in changing out 7 CFL bulbs. Now, multiply that by 100 or 1000 bulbs in your facility and that comes to a substantial savings even at today's cost.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Scott Dumaresq, June 13, 2010
Something to bear in mind when comparing CFL's to LED is the power factor. While not affecting most consumers directly in electricity costs it does mean wasted energy which has to be produced at the power station.
Some figures I have read on CFL's are a PF of around .5-.6 which is extremely low.
If users where charged by the VA instead of the Kw the cost of CFL's would become more apparent.
Some figures I have read on CFL's are a PF of around .5-.6 which is extremely low.
If users where charged by the VA instead of the Kw the cost of CFL's would become more apparent.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Ramona, July 02, 2010
I remember when the CFL bulbs cost more, they started sellling them in bulk packages at the bulk stores, which helped making them more affordable. LEDs have the advantage that they don't (as far as I know) contain toxic waste. BTW, our CFL bulbs have lasted a long time, so long that I don't remember the last time we changed them.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Travis, July 08, 2010
This is very interesting, as are the comments on CFLs vs LEDs. But, it seems to me the LEDs would justify a higher cost over their lifetime if it means further investment and development of the technology. Not to mention the consumerization of LEDs.
Since they really do seem to be the lighting source of the future, and will be less energy intensive and toxic to manufacture than CFLs, they ought to justify a kind of subsidization, just on those grounds.
Since they really do seem to be the lighting source of the future, and will be less energy intensive and toxic to manufacture than CFLs, they ought to justify a kind of subsidization, just on those grounds.
-
- +0
-
-
written by ron davison, July 16, 2010
i will buy one or two in the next few years and that will be it untill the price drops by 10x!
because only a few lights in the house get used on a continues basis. desk light kitchen light, family room light, These will pay off in 5 to 10 years. all other locations will have 10 to 80 years to pay off as they do not get used but a small % of the time.bathroom lights, bedroom lights...
because only a few lights in the house get used on a continues basis. desk light kitchen light, family room light, These will pay off in 5 to 10 years. all other locations will have 10 to 80 years to pay off as they do not get used but a small % of the time.bathroom lights, bedroom lights...
-
- +0
-
-
written by Cameron Benz, July 30, 2010
The reasons an LED is more cost effective than a CFL?
About a 5 times longer life expectancy than a CFL.
CFLs contain a significant amount of mercury.
The LED also consumes about half as much power as a CFL.
About a 5 times longer life expectancy than a CFL.
CFLs contain a significant amount of mercury.
The LED also consumes about half as much power as a CFL.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Cameron Benz, July 30, 2010
Also don't compare the ultra cheap CFLs as they usually have very short lives!
-
- +0
-
-
written by Brent Moore, October 13, 2010
You give me an idea on what i am working on right now. Thanks for this informative post. It really helps me a lot.
UV Blocking Light
UV Blocking Light
-
- +0
-
-
written by cheongsam, March 21, 2013
CFL bulbs cost more, they started sellling them in bulk packages at the bulk stores, which helped making them more affordable. LEDs have the advantage that they don't (as far as I know) contain toxic waste. BTW, our CFL bulbs have lasted a long time, so long that I don't remember the last time we changed them.
-
- +0
-
-
Write comment
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
MAY 18
"CFL bulbs cost more, they started sellling them in bulk packages at th..."
View all Comments