Just when you thought that you had your head and wallet wrapped around changing the incandescent bulbs to CFL's...here comes LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting!

When the LED was invented in 1968, it wasn't even considered as potential competition to the reigning champion incandescent!  As we all know times, technology, and energy costs are always a-changing.  LED's use almost 90% less electricity than standard bulbs, last up to and beyond 10 years and produce an even spectrum of light with no heat output (wasted energy).  It's not easy or fair to directly compare incandescents, CFL's and LED's.  But at Tangible Green we like to attempt the impossible, so here's the good, the bad and the ugly!

THE GOOD 

• Incandescents are inexpensive and can be found everywhere.
• Incandescents are available in every wattage, soft light, colored light, etc. 
• CFL's cost more, but still give you the same lighting effects of incandescents.
• CFL's are becoming more and more available.
• LED's can eliminate the need for additional power plants.
• LED's can pay for themselves in the first two years of their 10 year plus life expectancy.

THE BAD

• Incandescents are inefficient and only last as long as they want to.
• CFL's look funny.
• LED's only emit light in a focused beam instead of all directions.

THE UGLY

• Incandescents are inefficient and only last as long as they want to!
• CFL's contain trace amounts of mercury and must be disposed of properly.
• LED's are extremely hard to find and cost way more!

So what, I just want to save money on my electricity bill!  Okay, let's look at all of your lighting needs.  If you can change the most used lightbulbs to CFL's then you are going to save money over incandescents.  If you have track lighting, spot lights or directional lighting, try to find LED's.  It is still okay to use incandescents in low use areas or where you might want a little added warmth, like Fido's house or the craft room!  The most important thing is to think before we purchase!  Is there something better available that can save me $$$?  Well, lucky for us there is! 

 If you are in the market and looking for LED lighting, the internet or specialty lighting store is probably your best bet.  LED Waves is a great internet source and we would love to hear from you about any others.  Just drop us an email and let us know!