From Guest Blogger Dr. Bulb: LED Edison Bulbs Provide Vintage, Energy-Efficient Style
(Note: I have to admit; this looks pretty good. – ed)
While the lighting industry is indeed moving toward total energy efficiency, it continues to experience growing pains. At first, the everyday consumer turned from incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) for the most cost-effective lighting solution. This switch certainly improved the efficacy of the fixtures, but the light they produced was no longer the warm, candle-like glow people had gotten used to with incandescent lights. People had a hard time opting for the blue-white, sallow glow of CFL, even if it meant saving some extra cash on energy bills.
Production costs and market prices for LEDs have dropped, making them the number-one choice for energy-efficient lighting. The applications for LEDs seem almost limitless, not to mention the fact that they last about forty times longer than incandescent bulbs and have about twice the efficacy of CFLs. However, we’ve been hearing the same complaints about LEDs that we once heard about CFLs—both kinds of lights burn too bright and too blue.
Interior designers and everyday users looking for a warm glow have lately found themselves at an impasse. Depending on the situation, other options like HMIs, high-density discharge lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps can give off unnatural light, too.
Now, to be fair, LED technology does offer a number of solutions for consumers needing a “warmer” glow from their lighting. The warmth and dimness of some LEDs can be adjusted via mobile phone or remote control; this is a huge step up from higher-Kelvin, blue-white lights we’ve seen in the past. However, there is still the issue of aesthetics. The dimmable LEDs come in a variety of styles but are generally designed to have the same look and feel as a run-of-the-mill incandescent bulb.
Vintage Design with a Modern Twist
Edison Light Globes may alleviate both issues. Several top lighting brands, including Lighting Science and Bulbrite have developed a series of vintage-style LED bulbs that have a warm glow, high efficacy, and tremendous cost savings . . . and an amazing look, to boot.
Edison-Style Bulbs with the Efficiency of LED
“Edison style” bulbs, meant to imitate the wound filament bulbs created in the early 18th century, are already a popular design element in many establishments. Not sure where you can find some? Our advice is simple: Follow the hipsters.
We’re being a little facetious here, but Edison bulbs do tend to be the preferred lighting choice in coffee shops, cider houses, high-end thrift stores, and other bohemian-esque locations. They have the bare-filament charm of Edison’s original incandescent bulbs, but unfortunately, are terribly inefficient; their lumen output and lifetime both leave a lot to be desired. Those who use them usually have to install (and pay for) a large number of them in order to achieve their desired lumen output. These Edison bulbs will not only a burn a hole in your wallet; they also release mercury into the atmosphere and are harmful if broken.
Lighting experts have come up with a solution. New Edison-style LEDs come in hundreds of shapes and sizes, are extremely efficient, and have creative “filament-style” designs.
Best of Both Worlds
The LED Edison bulbs have a Kelvin temperature of 2200K, which means they burn with an even warmer glow than incandescent bulbs. They are far from the brightest lights available (they average about 375 lumens), but they do use 90% less energy than incandescents. They also have the notoriously long lifespan of LEDs, lasting about 15,000 hours (over 600 days).
Another advantage of the LED Edison bulbs is their color rendering index (CRI). They have a CRI of about 94.9, which means they’ll make your blues bluer, your reds redder, etc. The Edison Light Globes company also offers the option for dimmable bulbs, making the product truly as versatile as its incandescent ancestors.
For the savvy designer, steampunk enthusiast, or everyday consumer considering antique lights on a budget, these Edison-style LEDs are a dream come true. Now, it’s possible to enjoy the pleasing nostalgia of vintage bulbs without the cringe-worthy expense to our wallets and the environment.
