Friday, December 27, 2013

BEST LED LIGHT BULBS FOR YOUR HOME

CONSUMER REPORTS: BEST LED LIGHT BULBS FOR YOUR HOME
    Incandescent bulb's days are numbered; on Jan. 1, 2014, most will have been phased out. We sure won't miss their influence on our utility bill though, the typical 60-watt bulb costs more than three times as much per year to run as a similar LED bulb.

The Best LED Bulbs for Different Fixtures

Don't assume the most expensive LED bulb is the best. Consumer Reports says these less expensive, LED options shined brightly compared to the competition:

For lamps and ceiling fixtures: For 60-watt replacements, Wal-Mart's Great Value Soft White LED ($10) the least expensive of the new bulbs in Consumer Reports' preliminary tests gives off a warm yellow light similar to an incandescent bulb. They also liked Cree's 9.5-Watt (60W) Warm White ($13) and the Philips 11W 60W Soft White 424382 ($14). The fully-tested, top-rated Samsung 60-Watt Warm White LED ($30) provides a bright, warm yellow light. For light that's warm but brighter, and is meant to replace 75-watt bulbs, the EcoSmart 14-Watt (75W) Soft White 726558 ($35) is an alternate choice. Personally I prefer a Daylight bulb, it’s natural light and brightens up everything like the sun is right in the room with you.

For recessed and track lights: In preliminary tests, Wal-Mart's Great Value Soft White BR30 is bright and dimmable, and is the least expensive replaces a 65-watt bulb and casts a warm yellow light.


For outdoor lights: The MaxLite 20Watt PAR38 100W ($40) offers bright white light in Consumer Reports' preliminary tests and can be used with some electronic timers, photocells and motion sensors. The fully-tested TCP 17W PAR38 Flood LED ($40) claims to last about 46 years when used 3 hours a day. I also use the Daylight bulbs in my carriage lights outside. When I come home at night I can see my house right away, it stands out from the other dull yellow lights on the street. 

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