This little light of mine: LEDs
David McIntye holds one of his new 12-watt recessed LED (light-emitting diode) units
David McIntyre of Leavenworth sees a light at the end of the tunnel – and it’s illuminated with LEDs.
McIntyre purchased several 12-watt recessed LED (light-emitting diode) units for trial in the ceiling of the home he’s remodeling. The LEDs cost a whopping $90 each, which includes trim parts for the ceiling cans, but McIntyre believes the quality of light, durability of the units and miserly energy use will justify the investment. He calculates that over 10 years, using 65-watt incandescent floods would be more expensive than the total cost of the LEDs.
According to manufacturer Cree LED Lighting Solutions, the LED units use 85 percent less energy than a comparable incandescent bulb and will last 20 years.
Due to the cost, LED lighting is not yet popular in homes but is commonly seen in flashlights, stop lights and holiday lighting; the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, for example, is decorated with 30,000 energy-efficient LED lights.
