LED lighting expands to Habitat for Humanity homes

We are always on the prowl for news that can help save homeowners money.

USA Today Article: August 10, 2010

As competition for LED lighting expands, new Habitat for Humanity homes for the low-income are benefiting. One such house broke ground this weekend in Durham, N.C., that will have only LED fixtures.

Cree, a Durham-based manufacturer of LED lighting, is sponsoring the home’s construction to showcase its energy-efficient lighting, which it estimates will save $250 worth of electricity each year. The house, expected to be completed in October 2010, is part of Cree’s $1.5 million pledge to provide its CR6 LED downlights for the kitchens of all new Habitat homes built in the USA in the next three years.

This LED (light emitting diode) donation reflects increased competition to win market share as incandescents begin their Congress-mandated phaseout in 2012 with the 100-watt bulb, followed by the 75-watt in 2013 and the 60-watt and 40-watt in 2014.

This month, Osram Sylvania introduced a dimmable, mercury-free LED replacement for the traditional 60 watt incandescent. The company says its A-Line 12 watt LED offers up to 80% energy savings and lasts 25,000 hours, 12 times longer than traditional light bulbs.

In May, Royal Philips Electronics announced it had an LED replacement for the 60-watt incandescent, which is the biggest-selling bulb in the USA. Its 12-watt Endura light bulb, also expected to use 80% less energy, will be available to consumers later this year.

Home Depot began selling a 9-watt, $20 LED bulb in May that replaces the 40 watt incandescent. It ECOSMART bulb is mercury-free, recyclable and dimmable.

Similarly, General Electric also has a new 9-watt LED replacement for the 40-watt incandescent that’s expected to be available later this year for $40 to $50.

In June, IKEA’s announced that it will stop selling incandescent light bulbs by year’s end at its 48 U.S. and Canadian stores.

Article part of the Green House column of  USA Today.