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?