Are LEDs Ready for Prime Time?

Q.
Is there an alternative to CFL lights for residential lighting? I know CFLs are the alternative to traditional incandescent light bulbs, but is there another option to CFLs? I heard LED light bulbs are, but is that true?
anonymous

A.
CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and other fluorescent shapes are the only viable option at this point, and a very viable one at that!

LEDs are not "there" yet.
Eventually (within a year or two experts say) they will be.

But right now you get more lumens (light) per watt (unit of energy) with fluorescent than with LEDs.
If you match them watt for watt, the LED fixture will be too dim to give you enough light for your tasks.

That's why California's Title 24 does not yet recognize LED fixtures as equal to fluorescent ones.
You CAN get an LED fixture bright enough, but only by adding more LEDs...and that adds more energy usage and HEAT; making them less efficient.

You see LED fixtures are made up of many tiny LED light bulbs.
Just like you see looking at a traffic light...all those little green dots are individual LEDs.

A Japanese inventor just created the first bright white LED last year, which made them a lot brighter.
It's only a matter of time...but not yet.

On the other hand; fluorescent lighting, in the hands of a creative designer, is a very energy smart, cool and long lasting lighting choice.

In the last few years new fluorescent colors have become available that are very close to incandescent in appearance (very warm), or approximate sunlight, or several color stages in between.

Designers also have the option of using lenses and photographic gels ( like colored cellophane) to alter the color temperature of fluorescent lights. So even the wide range now available is customizable!

My web site has a great article on lighting at:http://www.kitchenartworks.com/lighting.htm

Peggy

Earth Day To-Do List!

The bad news: Global warming is real.

The better news: there are real ways you can help.

In honor of Earth Day, here are three things we can do to make a cleaner planet and a better tomorrow. The best part is they are low-cost or free -- but have a huge impact.

1. Reduce. Here's a bright idea: Swap out five standard light bulbs for energy-saving compact fluorescents. They use 25% less energy and last 10 times as long. Other ways to save: unplug unused appliances and take public transit. For more cool tips, go to the Natural Resources Defense Council website.

2. Offset. Once we've done what you can to reduce our impact on the environment, offset the rest. We can make a donation to reverse the greenhouse gases we produce. Go to CarbonFund.org. I requested this from my "gift exchange Santa" last Christmas. And I've felt really good about that certificate I received ever since.

3. Recycle. Have an old cellphone just sitting in a drawer? CollectiveGood can send these phones for use in developing countries, or safely recycles materials from them. To donate your phone today (the shipping is free), go to CollectiveGood.com

Thanks to Working Assets for these great Earth Day ideas! I have my long distance service with them and feel positively angelic every time I pay my bill! What could be better?

Peggy

Knockout Armani Kitchen at 20 Pine

Oooh! What a stunner! And I couldn't even snag a picture to show here.

You'll have to go to 20Pine and wade through the rooms on the flash display until you get to the Armani kitchen.

A bit spare. But what do you do in a pied a terre anyway?

Peggy