It was only a few days ago that the world was spinning extra fast on its axis with the news that scientists had developed these super-duper LED light bulbs. The light bulbs are supposed to last extra long, at around 100,000 hours. But what does that even mean? It turns out, since the filed of LED light bulbs is so new no one can say for sure what those 100,000 hours represent.
“Regular” LED light bulbs last around 25,000 to 50,000 hours (the ones I linked above are experimental), but that doesn’t necessarily mean 25,000 to 50,000 hours till they fail, like traditional light bulbs. With those, you get, say, 1,000 hours of lifetime. That means you can expect 1,000 hours of light before the bulb dies a spectacular death, and always when the stores are closed, making it impossible to buy a new one till the next day. But it’s different for LED bulbs. With those, a 25,000 hour-lifetime means that you have 25,000 hours till the bulb is at 70 percent of its original brightness. Seventy percent, research shows, is the point where people say, “Hey, I think the light is less bright than it used to be”; prior to that 70 percent number, most people can’t even tell the difference.
In short, LED lifetime, as it’s currently loosely defined, means how long it takes till it loses 30 percent of its luminance. That is, it’s 70 percent as bright as it was the day you bought it.
But hold on! What happens when the LED bulb starts to loose its “power,” so to speak? One solution—pump more electricity into the LED, thus totally negating their “green” persona!
The solution, obviously, is to return to candle light. Just don’t put ‘em near curtains.
” It turns out, since the filed of LED light bulbs is so new …”
I suck at Scrabble, so I can’t figure out what the six word was supposed to be.
Excellent read by Trent about bulbs over at The Simple Dollar.
actually i dont what you are talking about.
Are you from ancient society?
Nice Read Nicolas…You’re absolutely right. Many manufacturers over-state their claims for LED life. When LED’s first came out they were rate at 100,000 which is absolutely false. Then they started being a little more conservative and rating them at 50,000 hours, which is typically the expected life of the LED chip/die itself in PERFECT operating conditions.
The truth is, that as a system (since they buy components seprately: heatsink, packaging, transformer etc. that an LED bulb consists of, the hours are closer to 25-30,000 hours….This is info I’ve heard directly from LED bulb manufacturers…..Great
LED Guide:How to buy LED light bulbs and why CFL’s are so bad…
LED bulbs do not last near 50,000 hours. Typically 20% to 50% fail within the first few months, defined by an entire bank of LEDs loosing power. Perhaps 2/3 of the LED suddenly go dark. It is a very expensive way to light the home, in fact, THE most expensive method.
Buying a quality product is usually best-
one may go to a taco bell expecting quality
cuisine – but well you know … AIM HIGHER
Did you used to own a Yugo ?
It’s a fact there are alot of substandard/inferior
led products- But as the SSL mfgs can bear out
products have improved( all 5 components)
Borealis ( IL corp) Lighting is a great example-
Full line of quality products – 5 year warranty
Multiple choices of CCT- great cri # 88- effective
optics Reasonable cost Excellent design & construct
Iuse these and my electric bills are about $35/mo
( for 4 people) Yes I am biased cuz I sell em
really why use 19 century tech. DO BETTER
GET AN ENERGY AUDIT + Switch to Leds
By the way incandescent lights will be banned
in 2012 so eventually …
Introducing the world’s first 5 spectrum hybrid led grow panel, the ISIS family of LED grow lights.
I am a big fan of LED lighting. Choose a bulb that fits the application (lumens and color) and you will be happy. Unfortunatly many manufacturers and vendors overstate (I’m being kind here) their products specifications.
I have purchased 45 LED bulbs and have had mixed reliability.
The good news – some are very reliable. I have five LED bulbs outside that have run dusk to dawn for two years with no problems.
The bad news – some bulbs are VERY unreliable. VERY high failure rates.
I purchased 12 of one type LED bulb and 7 have failed (8.5W product 47856 from LEDLight.com). To make matters worse they are refusing to replace them now.
Beware of LEDLight.com. This company is selling products that they know are defective. No support for failed LED bulbs. These bulbs are very expensive ($20 – $105) and in some cases last only two or three weeks. They refuse to replace defective bulbs. LEDLight.com is selling known defective products and has bad customer service.