Light Bulb Technology: Update III

This represents the final of the series in my light bulb experiment.

I have finished test driving three types of bulb technology, incandescent, CFL and LED.  The results are below and to be honest, I shocked.  To the point I may have to run it again.

Bulb Cost per Bulb Cost per KWH Cost per hour Lifespan 50,000 Hour Cost
Incandescent $1.00 $0.1701 $0.0070 2,000 $375.00
CFL $1.00 $0.1701 $0.0017 10,000 $88.00
LED $18.00 $0.1701 $0.0017 50,000 $103.00

The efficiency of the LED is not better, literally, then that of the CFL.  Further, the COST of the LED is through the roof.  Finally, the light given off by the LED is horrible; more akin to a institutional ward than a reading source or office light.

The hands down winner is the CFL with the incandescent coming in last.

Fascinating.

Now, for the dilemma.  Would we have seen the advent of the CFL without government intervention in the light bulb market?

4 responses to “Light Bulb Technology: Update III

  1. I am thrilled you would even give a thought that the government may have had a hand in you discovering this. Maybe you are coming over from the dark side (LOL…just joking).

    Seriously, this was very interesting. I would never have known this, so I am glad you shared your findings. Thank you!

    • I am thrilled you would even give a thought that the government may have had a hand in you discovering this. Maybe you are coming over from the dark side (LOL…just joking).

      HAHA! It’s possible I’m wrong on many many things. I hope that I never stop checking.

      And yes, I am on the “dark” side in many areas. I am a stink hippie myself ya know.

      Seriously, this was very interesting. I would never have known this, so I am glad you shared your findings. Thank you!

      Thanks!

      I was seriously thinking that the LED would have been a much higher value. I must have done this wrong.

      Anyway, CFL is for sure the way to go!

      • Thanks for this! I am forwarding this to my family….we all tend to be a bit on the skimpy side when it comes to money…smile.

      • Thanks for this!

        No problem.

        we all tend to be a bit on the skimpy side when it comes to money

        To make the deal even better, the CFL bulbs cost only $0.25 here in Raleigh. We have a program sponsored by our State that provides incentives to energy companies to offer incentives to retailers. I bought 100 of the bulbs that day!

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