Jan 28
Blue LED + Yellow + Orange = ?
So where does $60 million in LED research going? It seems a large chunk of grants from the department of Energy is going towards improving the 3 things that we’ve been talking about for a while: Price, light output and color.
- Price - Bringing down manufacturing costs and ultimate end costs to the consumer by improving the materials used and finding cheaper alternatives to creating LEDs.
- Light Output - Focusing on creating LED dies that are brighter, lenses that don’t cut light output and cover the LED “dots” that people see in bulbs and fixture, as well as creating fixtures that can be used by consumers that are bright enough to replace a 100W incandescent bulb.
- Improving the color output - Researching new phosphor materials (which are currently being used in fluorescent lighting as well) that make LED light “warmer”
Looks like CREE, Philips and GE are receiving the bulk of grant money. It will be interesting to see what they can come up with as well as what the future brings for LED lighting… My question is how long until all this great research is APPLICABLE to us? 2,3,4 years? Let’s hope not…
Source: Popular Mechanics
Posted in technology | 5 Comments »
Jan 19
Is there any other investment that can guarantee this kind of return?
Everyone KNOWS that LED bulbs save money. With the appearance of LED bulbs in more and more places ( Philips LED bulbs just popped up in Home Depot), the general public is starting to become more aware of the products that are available, but the consensus is they’re STILL too expensive.
The truth is what few are saying is that it really doesn’t make sense financially to switch out to LEDs if you’re using them less than 8 hours a day.
Compared to a “traditional investment”, if you are only using an LED bulb 6 hours per day, you’re making a measly 5% return on your investment - i.e. if you spend $10 for the LED bulb, you’ll “make” $0.50 per year(in savings).
The numbers get really interesting when you starting getting to 12 hours usage per day and more. In this example, we plugged the numbers in for California ($0.15 /kWh) into our trusty LED energy evaluation calculator at 16 hours usage a day and the average return on investment is an astounding 76%! - i.e. if you spend $10 for the LED bulb, you’ll “make” $7 per year (in savings).
Now imagine in commercial applications where you have HUNDREDS of bulbs…this savings are just immense. Is there ANY investment vehicle out there that can guarantee a return like this?
See the full LED evaluation here.
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
