LEDs
Benefits
A LED bulb lasts longer - up to 10x longer than a CFL - burns cooler, and uses less energy - 1/3 to 1/30th of a CFL or incandescent. An added benefit is that, due to the minimal amount of energy required to run LEDs, solar power to operate them becomes more practical. And LEDs have no mercury.
Compare Wisely
When choosing an LED bulb, make sure you read the label to get the desired illumination, type of light (cool white or warm light), and base (pin or standard screw). Just like CFLs, output based on wattage of an incandescent is not equivalent to a LED. A 3 watt LED is equivalent to a 45 watt incandescent. Also, make sure your dimmer switch is compatible with the bulbs being purchased.
ENERGY STAR- qualified commercial LED lighting products use at least 75% less energy and last 35 times longer than incandescent lighting. Plus, qualified LED lighting produces virtually no heat and provides optimal light color for any environment from parking lots to high-end show rooms. They are durable and come with a 3 year warranty.
According to Energy Star, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that rapid adoption of LED lighting in the U.S. over the next 20 years can:
-Deliver savings of about $265 billion.
-Avoid 40 new power plants.
-Reduce lighting electricity demand by 33% in 2027.
A note about Mercury and CFLs
Mercury is a toxic metal. On average, a CFL contains about 5 mg of mercury, which is around one-fifth of the amount in an average watch battery. Producing the electricity to run an incandescent bulb results in power plant emissions of 10mg of mercury versus 2.4 mg resulting from running a CFL bulb for the same amount of time.
The mercury in a bulb does not pose a threat unless the bulb breaks.
It is important to recycle used CFLs and fluorescent bulbs at a reputable location to keep mercury out of the landfill. Some ideas locally include:
-Select a supplier who takes used bulbs back and recycles them (ask for documentation)
-Depending on quantity (you don't want to store very many), hold onto CFLs and bring them to the local Household Hazardous Waste day
-Ace Hardware will accept burnt out CFLs in a small quantity.
-YVEA will accept a small number of burnt out bulbs.
Also, you may want to consider bulbs that contain less mercury. Some fluorescent bulb manufacturers (e.g. Philips/Alto) claim to offer bulbs as low as 3.8 mg of mercury