LED Light Bulbs Get A 2014 Update

LED light bulbs have been on the market for years and despite their many benefits, many have resisted making the switch.  For some, price was the biggest thing them back and when you're used to buying incandescent bulbs for around a dollar and then have to spend over $15 to get the latest and greatest technology there is a lot of room for pause.  Over time this issue has been addressed with many standard shaped LED bulbs on the market for well under $10.

Another critique of household LED lighting has been the design.  Early LED bulb manufacturers wanted to infuse the futuristic concept into the design hoping that it would capture attention and that sales would follow.  While several of these lamps gained traction, there was something missing and it was the look and feel of a traditional incandescent bulb.  Recent introductions in the market have address this with a shape and base which comes close but they were missing a very important aspect.

The lens of the bulbs are frosted instead of clear so that the internal parts so the focus is on the light being emitted instead of the components inside. This all changes with the introduction of LED filament bulbs.  The lens is clear and what you see are filaments that look very similar to bulbs people have been purchasing for decades.  Filament LED light bulbs not only open the door to clear standard shaped LED lighting but there is another benefit which is an increase in efficacy.

Efficacy can best be understood in terms of lumens per watt.  A traditional incandescent 40 watt bulb usually has 200 - 300 lumens which is only 4 - 8 lumens per watt.  A comparable 40 watt equal LED filament bulb only uses 4 watts and has an output of 310 lumens which translates into 65 lumens per watt - a tremendous improvement. With prices starting around $10, these bulbs allow consumers to decide if they are ready to invest in LED lighting without having to make the compromises other standard shaped LED bulbs ask for in terms of the price and design.

This marks a tremendous advancement in lighting and opens the door for more changes to come in the future.  Stay tuned for further updates and share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest.