In case you weren’t already aware, incandescent light bulbs are mostly on their way out. While some retailers like IKEA have, by their own initiative, opted to phase incandescent lights out of inventory, others will likely follow suit, motivated in part by the Bush Administration’s 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which calls for about a 25% increase in light bulb efficiency from 2012 to 2014.
Resistance to the widespread adoption of the considerably more efficient compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs has frequently been chalked up to poor light quality (i.e. bad color temperature), high initial cost (expensive to buy) or concerns over mercury content. While the former two of these three concerns have been largely mitigated by advances in CFL technology, lingering concerns over the inclusion of mercury in CFLs seems to be holding some folks back from making the switch.
Now there’s a new lighting option on the block. LED bulbs are making their way onto the lighting scene and offer the promise of efficiency that rivals CFL options, very low heat output, zero mercury or lead content and, as some manufacturers say, the potential for pleasant color temperatures. However, as was the case for early versions of CFLs, LEDs are currently expensive and many cast off a blue-ish light that isn’t so pleasant. All of that considered, LED bulbs will need to deliver on manufacturer promises if they are to compete with CFLs as the nation changes over to more efficient lighting.
