How LEDs Work — A Layman’s Explanation November 29, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in The Basics.Tags: how leds work, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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I have a deep curiosity about science, took my share of chem and physics in high school. But that’s about it. When you delve deep into LED’s you quickly get beyond my meager knowledge. So here’s my translation (with apologies to any scientists who shake their heads at my oversimplification!). (more…)
The Future of Booklights November 28, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Novelty, Products.Tags: book light, booklight, consumer reviews, Itty Bitty Book Light, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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Who can ever forget the invention of the Itty Bitty Booklight! It was a marvel of its time and probably saved countless marriages 
LED technology is revolutionizing this product category, and the new shapes this type of light are taking show, in a microcosm, the potential for LED lights to change more than just energy consumption.
GE: Bring Ecomagination to Christmas Lights! November 24, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Novelty, Products, The Business.Tags: Christmas Lights, consumer reviews, Ecomagination, Home Depot, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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I was in Home Depot yesterday and couldn’t help going by their Christmas decorations section to see what they had in the way of LED lights.
There were rows and rows of LED lights (at $7.99 a string for 50 lights – best price I have seen), but they were all some generic/store/non-name brand. Made in China, of course.
GE had the most shelf space, but all their lights were traditional incandescents. Yet, they have a made a significant strategic investment in LED with their Lumination division.
So, GE, what’s up? You appear to have the largest market share in Christmas lights. You espouse “Ecomagination” as your strategy. On the Ecomagination site, you pay Kevin Kline to narrate – and who knows what cinematographer to create — glitzy videos.
Granted, you probably make more money selling lighting systems for grocery displays to Wal-Mart, and I applaud that.
But take a hint: the LED Christmas lights on Home Depot’s site are sold out online.
If you want to been seen as a green company, do more with your products, and less with your PR.
Directory of LED Manufacturers November 23, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in The Business.4 comments
This post will be a straighfoward link list and a quick overview of the major manufacturers. (more…)
LED Christmas Lights November 22, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Novelty, Products.Tags: Ace Hardware, Christmas Lights, consumer reviews, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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Product: 16-foot string of 50 LED Christmas lights (lights spaced at 4 inches)
Brand: Celebrations (an in-house brand of Ace Hardware)
Manufacturer: Unknown
Retailer: Ace Hardware
Price: $10.99 (on sale from $12.99)
Summary
I was excited to see LED lights at such a low cost. While they are more expensive than traditional light strings, the electricity savings in one holiday season will pay for most — if not all — of the difference. But the bluish quality of the light may put you off of these lights.
The Maglite Battery Test: LED vs Krypton Bulb November 22, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Flashlights, Products.Tags: consumer reviews, Flashlights, LED, LED flashlights, led lights, Maglite, Replacement bulbs, solid state lights
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Product: Mini-Maglite, AA battery model
Brand: Maglite, with Duracell AA batteries
Summary
One of the advantages of LEDs is that they consume far less energy. How much less? You’ll see from this test: enough less to last at least 25% longer.
Maglite Replacement Bulbs November 22, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Flashlights, Products, Replacement bulbs.Tags: consumer reviews, Flashlights, LED, LED flashlights, led lights, Maglite, Replacement bulbs, solid state lights
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Product: A replacement bulb for the Mini-Maglite 2 AA battery model containing a 3 LED assembly
Brand: NiteIze
Manufacturer: Unknown
Retailer: Ace Hardware
Price: $11.95
Summary
Simple to replace, much brighter light, more even spread, and longer battery life.
Welcome to the revolution November 11, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in The Basics.Tags: consumer reviews, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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You can just about forget compact fluorescent bulbs. In a few years they will be as obsolete as incandescents already are.
I’ve become fascinated by this new technology and excited to see so many products already using them. While there are still significant research, development and engineering that must be done to make them everyday products, they are a lot closer than many other alternative energy products. The nightlights, flashlights, Christmas lights, booklights, etc. already on the market will drive volume to lower costs and revenue to fund the additional research.
I’m not a professional in the LED industry, or anything related. I’m just an energy efficiency nut and looking to help drive a major change in how we consume energy.
So stay tuned and I will be trying out a lot of products and will let you know what I, an ordinary consumer, think of them.
The LED Beginning Inventory November 11, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in The Basics.Tags: consumer reviews, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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A few months ago when I first started hearing about LED lights, I was fascinated. I read that they are in mobile phones and other gadgets as the light source for the displays. And I thought that was cool. Then I started to look around my house and saw them already here:
Wear a baseball cap? Light your way! November 11, 2007
Posted by Speaking Sustainability in Novelty, Products.Tags: baseball cap, consumer reviews, LED, led lights, solid state lights
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Product: A light assembly that clips onto the bill of a baseball cap
Brand: Unknown
Manufacturer: Unknown
Retailer: Ace Hardware (displayed at the checkout stand)
Price: $4.99
Summary
Here’s one of those fun little things that would be impossible with regular bulbs: clip this to a baseball cap and you’ll never be in the dark!
