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More efficient new LEDs now available, over 200lm/W

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Motives (Score: 1)

by seriously@pipedot.org on 2016-04-20 09:52 (#1B510)

I remember reading two scientific papers about this, one was about significantly increasing visibility around dusk and dawn, when the sodium lights are not very efficient (illumination-wise, not energy-wise) It could, for instance, help reduces accidents at pedestrian street-crossing. The other sounded less scientific and tried to show a decrease in crimes when using whiter lamps.

And I've heard so many times the argument "LED consume less energy" touted that I actually believed LED were much more efficient than sodium lights already. Could it be possible that the people ordering all new lights to be LEDs incorrectly assume the same?

Re: Motives (Score: 1)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2016-04-20 16:48 (#1B6GQ)

Even for household applications, compact fluorescent bulbs often have a higher efficiency rating (in terms of Lumens per Watt) than LEDs. However, LED bulbs are pretty close, especially when compared to incandescent, and are still improving. Add in the instant startup, the more focused output, and the whole no-mercury thing, and it's no wonder why the new LED technology is quickly becoming the new "green" favorite.

Re: Motives (Score: 3, Informative)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2016-04-21 05:41 (#1B8H1)

Actually, LED bulbs handily surpassed CFLs years ago. Now a 60w equivalent (800lm) LED uses 9w, while CFLs never got better than 13w for the same output. That's 30% more efficient.

Note that I'm using the inexpensive $1.75 generic Lowes LED bulbs (60w equiv) with 2-yr warranties, for reference. There certainly are still less-efficient older LED bulbs on the market, as well as some that are more-efficient.

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-2-Pack-9-Watt-60W-Equivalent-3000K-A19-Medium-Base-E-26-Warm-White-Indoor-LED-Bulb/50423206

40w equiv (6w) LEDs are similarly inexpensive and more-efficient than their CFL counterparts.

However, what I like most about LEDs is that they work great at even lower power levels, too. CFLs below 40w were candelabra base with long, slow warm-up times and relatively poorer efficiency. Similarly, incandesent efficiency was on a curve, so 60W bulbs had DOUBLE the lumens output of a 40W bulb. But with LEDs you really can scale that down as far as you want. No longer is a 40w bulb the lowest-power practical choice for smaller rooms, closets, etc.

It also helps greatly that LEDs do fine in the cold, and can be switched off/on almost unlimited times, making them a great optionin refrigerators, motion sensors, etc., where CFLs don't really work at all. After all, hot bulbs in your refrigerator is about the worst waste of electricity imaginable.

History

2016-04-21 05:41
Actually, LED bulbs handily surpassed CFLs years ago. Now a 60w equivalent (800lm) LED uses 9w, while CFLs never got better than 13w for the same output. That's 30% more efficient.

Note that I'm using the ginexpenersic,ve $1.75 generic Lowes LED bulbs (60w equiv) with 2-yr warranties, for reference. There certainly are still less-efficient older LED bulbs on the market, as well as some that are more-efficient.

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-2-Pack-9-Watt-60W-Equivalent-3000K-A19-Medium-Base-E-26-Warm-White-Indoor-LED-Bulb/50423206

40w equiv (6w) LEDs are similarly inexpensive and more-efficient than their CFL counterparts.

However, what I like most about LEDs is that they work great at even lower power levels, too. CFLs below 40w were candelabra base with long, slow warm-up times and relatively poorer efficiency. Similarly, incandesent efficiency was on a curve, so 60W bulbs had DOUBLE the lumens output of a 40W bulb. But with LEDs you really can scale that down as far as you want. No longer is a 40w bulb the lonlywest-power epraconomtical choice infor smaller tinyrooms, closets, or similaretc.

It also helps greatly that LEDs do fine in the cold, and can be switched off/on almost unlimited times, making them a good choicresat optionin refrigerators, motion sensors, etc., where CFLs don't really work at all. Andfter all, hot bulbs in your refrigerator is about the worst waste of powelectricity imaginable.

Moderation

Time Reason Points Voter
2016-04-25 18:50 Informative +1 evilss@pipedot.org
2016-04-22 13:55 Informative +1 zocalo@pipedot.org

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