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Potentially moving to LED light bulbs

While we do not have any old fixtures, we have switched completely to LED bulbs. Replaced all of our can lights, chandeliers, lamps, night lamps, stair lights, and out door lights with LED's. Check the following if you have access to it:

  • Sam's Club has a deal right now, 10 LED bulbs for around $30 dollars.
  • Amazon.com usually has a good deal on the philip can lights, which is where I purchased all of mine for around $6-7 bucks a bulb. At the time, they were usually running double that price.
  • HomeDepot.com or HomeDepot seem to have some good deals on bulbs also. Usually in their weekly ad. I have not tried their brand of bulbs though.
Also, need to figure out what color of lighting you want. Some are super stark, while others are nice and cozy. We opted in the living room, kitchen, hallways, and bathroom to go super stark. 6500K or so, while the bedrooms we opted for a slightly softer color in the 3000-4000K range.

Also if you need dimmable, make sure the LED says dimmable.

The only issue I had with one of my chandeliers, was it had to be a standard or cfl bulb. It would not take an LED light bulb.
 
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Am in the process of switching all ceiling lights to LEDs. I love them, but it has been a bit of a problem has been getting the right one re colour temperature, beam width etc. They do have a bit more 'glare' than the old bulbs, but it's fine.

We had MR16 halogen downlighters, which were hell - the bulbs cost pennies, but they were constantly blowing, or the transformers were blowing, or the dimmers were wearing out. It seemed to be a neverending cycle of repair.

Took out the dimmers in the hall, took out transformers, put GU10 LEDs in, all lovely.

Later I put dimmable LEDS in the kitchen, and they work fine with the dimmer on full, but as soon as I turn it down, they flicker like mad. OK, I'm happy to replace the dimmer, but I cannot for the life of me work out how to make sure I get the right dimmer.

Can anyone help? (this is a British 240v system)
 
We went completely 100% LED this year, except for one bulb. Very satisfied. The startup costs were high, though.

I experimented with different brands and in the end preferred the GE "Reveal Soft White" lights (for downlights). The color temp suits me. I advise experimenting, because color temp is a matter of preference.

For smaller fixtures, I've been using GE LED Bright Stick -- I can get them into places where only small incandescents or small CFL bulbs will go.

Like RedTomato, I do have dimmer/flickering issues, but only on 5" Philips downlights. I keep meaning to call my electrician and ask about it. The 6" GEs have no problem with dimmers.

I did amuse myself once by taking the highest estimates for bulb life and working out who would have to change the bulbs. Not me (I have only about 20 or so years left), maybe my son, and more likely my grandson. Max estimates and minimum hours per day, of course. For fun. Ignoring failures. I'm easily amused.
 
BorderingOn said:
Be careful. Only some of the newer LED bulbs, not all, run cool enough to not burn. Many are very hot, hence the heat sinks and in some cases liquid cooling.
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Picked up a 100 watt led and yes it gets hot at the base. Still not as bad as a traditional bulb but still.
 
Oh they can get hot like some of said. But nothing like the traditional bulb. I wonder if the off brand or generic LED bulbs suffer more from the heat then say a name brand like Philips.
 
rhett7660 said:
Oh they can get hot like some of said. But nothing like the traditional bulb. I wonder if the off brand or generic LED bulbs suffer more from the heat then say a name brand like Philips.
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I think more so in the older ones. Perhaps the circuitry to drive the LED was not very efficient. I've seen there are now plastic bulbs. That should tell you something.
 
Over the last few years we have switched over to LED in our house. We have bought bulk bulb packs at both Sam's Club and Costco with great results. In our living room, kitchen, and dining room we have put in dimmers and just love the look.
 
monokakata said:
did amuse myself once by taking the highest estimates for bulb life and working out who would have to change the bulbs. Not me (I have only about 20 or so years left), maybe my son, and more likely my grandson. Max estimates and minimum hours per day, of course. For fun. Ignoring failures. I'm easily amused.
Click to expand...

My wife hates it when I mention the expected longevity of our LED bulbs, even if the point about them outlasting us is left unstated. :)
 
UPDATE:

Went to Home Depot and bought a pack of Philips. Definitely saving the receipt in case I need to use the warranty.

So far I'm very satisfied.
 
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