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TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

4. LED's are getting better...

Thu Jun 2, 2016, 09:15 PM

Jun 2016

for a while it was tough to get decent color out of them-- fluorescents can use various phosphors to get balanced colors, but LED's have very narrow color bands so it's expensive to get good color.

But, they are getting better. I laid out a bundle for the basic Philips Hue system where I can remotely control the lamps to get almost infinite color and brightness. Too expensive to do the whole place with them, but having them in the living room is fun. The rest of the place is gradually going LED as the fluorescents die.

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We bought our first LED light bulbs today (update) [View all] Omaha Steve Jun 2016 OP

LED bulbs for $3? meow2u3 Jun 2016 #1

We don't normally shop there for political reasons Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #9

I never heard of Menard's meow2u3 Jun 2016 #12

Menards is a midwest big box chain run by a right wing nutjob. Snarkoleptic Jun 2016 #21

Menards indigoth Jun 2016 #25

Like I said Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #27

Strange greytdemocrat Jun 2016 #44

I specifically bought a 4-pack of LEDs from Home Depot about a year ago bullwinkle428 Jun 2016 #65

"they treat the employees like crap and are anti-union" philosslayer Jun 2016 #56

Well I could have gone to Wal-mart it was closer Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #58

Or Ace Hardware philosslayer Jun 2016 #59

They didn't have the items I needed Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #61

You should tell everyone where to shop LanternWaste Jun 2016 #69

They also won't honor the military discount Drahthaardogs Jun 2016 #63

I can't imagine a three-way LED going for $2.99. passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #17

I paid $13 for a 3-way at Wally World meow2u3 Jun 2016 #19

Yes, I know. passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #24

I paid $150 for a three way in las vega . . . . ChairmanAgnostic Jun 2016 #52

The less expensive LED bulbs don't last as many years flyingfysh Jun 2016 #36

We have them less than that at Lowes Bradical79 Jun 2016 #47

I like them. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2016 #2

Had some for years now Duckhunter935 Jun 2016 #11

Agree, I've had some begin to intermittently flicker after a couple of years. Snarkoleptic Jun 2016 #22

Depends on where they go. plimsoll Jun 2016 #33

This scscholar Jun 2016 #34

This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Jun 2016 #3

CFLs fail quickly because they don't like to be turned on and off. thesquanderer Jun 2016 #8

I gave a big bag of CFL's away just to get rid of them passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #16

They're supposed to last between 10 and 22 years meow2u3 Jun 2016 #13

LED's are getting better... TreasonousBastard Jun 2016 #4

I installed 6 of them in cans and one is starting to flicker after about a year or two Major Nikon Jun 2016 #5

Just moved a year ago Kelvin Mace Jun 2016 #6

I don't like bright, so I was hesitant. demmiblue Jun 2016 #7

Love them. We did 25 6 inch can-light retrofits 3 or 4 years ago. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2016 #10

It took me a couple of years to get it done passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #14

I did the same thing about 4 years ago rufus dog Jun 2016 #37

Welcome to a bright future Steve. For the next purchases, know that LEDs come in dimmable, and warm FailureToCommunicate Jun 2016 #15

I have a friend going the Costco online route rufus dog Jun 2016 #38

Entire house is LED. We like them except for dimmers. At low light levels, the light flickers which WestSeattle2 Jun 2016 #18

It might be the dimmer switch Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #23

Yeah, the low heat is nice for summer. passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #39

I like them for some things but not others. Laffy Kat Jun 2016 #20

Why would it take a long time to brighten? passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #40

Are you sure those are LEDs? LEDs brighten almost instantly. Some CFLs take a while. BillZBubb Jun 2016 #41

Oh, maybe that's what they are, CFLs. Laffy Kat Jun 2016 #72

Yup, as other said, LEDs are instant on. CFL's can take a while. Adrahil Jun 2016 #64

I'm gradually replacing all my incandescents and CFLs with LEDs OldRedneck Jun 2016 #26

Some electric companies give deals on led bulbs Marrah_G Jun 2016 #28

I love the absolute bright-white light they make. kentauros Jun 2016 #29

Always look at the "Temperature". 4000K or higher gives a great white light. BillZBubb Jun 2016 #42

I knew there was another name for it. kentauros Jun 2016 #43

You may not have to switch to LED bulbs. PADemD Jun 2016 #30

I wonder how fast they will get on the market Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #50

I love LED lights! herding cats Jun 2016 #31

A total win-win, once you get past the initial sticker shock. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #32

I purchased 3, and all 3 have failed. scubadude Jun 2016 #35

I think not all brands are created equal and not all types work in all fixtures, etc. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #45

I've got the very first I ever bought 7 or 8 years ago still, going strong. TheKentuckian Jun 2016 #46

Have dozens. Never had to replace one yet. Not incorrect for me. whatthehey Jun 2016 #60

Nearly 100% here....but those cheap LED will come back to bite you. ileus Jun 2016 #48

I converted.. sendero Jun 2016 #49

Lowe's usually has some really good sales on LEDs. djean111 Jun 2016 #51

Bought my first LED bulb at Lowes JonathanRackham Jun 2016 #53

Until I could afford LEDs, I got incandescents at Dollar Tree and Walmart. djean111 Jun 2016 #55

We have a CFL disposal bin at work. JonathanRackham Jun 2016 #66

We went all LED when we remodeled last summer. Love them!! Scuba Jun 2016 #54

Still gonna use CFLs blogslut Jun 2016 #57

All but one fixture in our home has LED's only madokie Jun 2016 #62

I never expected this response Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #67

Anyone tried halogen bulbs? KamaAina Jun 2016 #68

LED bulbs marybourg Jun 2016 #70

My entire house has been lit with LEDs since 2012 REP Jun 2016 #71

I bought several 2 paks of LEDs from Costco on sale $5 per pak. They flicker though, I may have Dont call me Shirley Jun 2016 #73