Those twisty energy-saving light bulbs

[ematteo 0]

Are there dimmable LED light bulbs that are commercially practical?

I have several circuits of 65W recessed lights in my home. When we went to dimmers a couple years ago (Lutron), the bulbs pretty much stopped burning out, due to the "soft" on-off, and energy consumption went way down. I would consider LEDs as an improvement but most CFLs are non-dimmable and would be a step backwards IMO. Anyone got info on LED bulbs?

Thanks,
Evan

[JohnMitchell 14]

I would guess LEDs are an all on-all off type of light. A cluster of them could be switched to give a dimmer effect possibly. Any experts out there know for sure?

[shermanator 3]

Yes, they can be dimmed.

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CSA #720

[tbrown 26]

We don't waste our money on anything less than 100W bulbs. the 100's are pretty good, I'm happy to say. Especially outside the front door and in the garage, where the vibration of doors closing rattlesthem. the only thing at all is that they take a second or so to warm up before they go on, but I figure we'll get used to that.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[billvon 2,396]

>Anyone got info on LED bulbs?

They can be dimmed, but take so little power that some dimmers have trouble turning them fully off.

They are available in a wide range of colors, color temperatures and CRI's.

They are not as efficient as large CF's yet, but are getting there rapidly. Below about 5 watts they are more efficient though.

They are more easily focusable and thus better for task lighting.

[ematteo 0]

Thanks, Bill.

Got a vendor for LED arrays I can screw into a standard light socket? Or are they not there yet?

[billvon 2,396]

>You can't just simply say that "you use far more energy than had you
>used gas," therefore the world is better off if everyone were forced to
>use those stupid twisty little light bulbs in place of the others. Well, I
>guess you can, and apparently the government can. I'm not buying it.

Electric heat uses more energy overall than gas heat, based on where you live and the reasons listed earlier. As you mentioned, though, it may be economical to use electric power. Whether or not that means "the world is better off" or whether or not you are being "forced" to do anything is a subject for Speaker's Corner.

[billvon 2,396]

>Got a vendor for LED arrays I can screw into a standard light socket? Or are they not there yet?

They're here, they're just expensive now, and not quite as efficient as CFL's for the bigger ones. Some links:

http://www.ledtronics.com/markets/25mm_med_index.htm
http://www.doctorled.com/p4.htm
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/30900
http://www.ledsmagazine.com/press/15075

(Note that some are halogen replacements)

[ematteo 0]

Thanks. The LEDtronics look closest to a replacement for my 65W R30 floodlights. Price notwithstanding ($118 each), I am surprised that they claim equivalence to a 65W bulb. Only 192 lumens v. 755 for GE incandescent. But cool that folks are going in that direction. My dad can't put down his LED flashlights. Those suckers sure are bright.