That is ironic, isn't it. To make the energy saving LED usable, a load resistor that wastes electricity in the form of heat, has to be used, negating any energy benefit.
...and you get to pay more.
On a related note, the move to auto LEDs has a REALLY nasty side effect for some cars. You can replace ALL the incandescent bulbs in an older car every year and it still cheaper than when one molded LED fixture fails to the tune of $300. if $30 years ago you told us "when your tail light burns out, you'll have to replace the entire assembly" we would have laughed at you.The irony is people didn't bother to see the original legislation and realize automotive bulbs aren't covered by this legislation so the whole conversation is irrelevant to the thread. I think people tend to go to LED bulbs in automotive applications for looks, longevity, and/or brightness, not because they are concerned with the energy consumption of a turn signal bulb.
On a related note, the move to auto LEDs has a REALLY nasty side effect for some cars. You can replace ALL the incandescent bulbs in an older car every year and it still cheaper than when one molded LED fixture fails to the tune of $300. if $30 years ago you told us "when your tail light burns out, you'll have to replace the entire assembly" we would have laughed at you.
I was talking about the ones where the LEDs are molded into the plastic assembly like tail lights and marker lights where there is no bulb (even a relatively expensive one) to replace. Instead of a $2-$50 bulb, its the WHOLE damn fixture.I've got HIDs in my Camaro and LEDs in my Power Wagon. I understand they are pricey when they go out, but some things are worth it. My issued car has halogens and the difference is, if you'll pardon me, night and day. Especially the PW, which has bending beams that move with the steering wheel so the 'sweet spot' is always in the middle of where you are pointing, plus cornering lights that come on at lower speeds. Like Lasik, I'll pay the price to see better.
I was talking about the ones where the LEDs are molded into the plastic assembly like tail lights and marker lights where there is no bulb (even a relatively expensive one) to replace. Instead of a $2-$50 bulb, its the WHOLE damn fixture.
CFLs sucked. They did not have the lifespans they claimed. When I had them, I had to replace them about as often as incandescents.That is that is what all the ads keep saying, they last forever. That has not been my experience. I have been in this house 11 years. Every CFL bulb has been replaced several times, Every LED bulb has been replaced several times.
The oversized globe 100 watt incandescent above my kitchen table Just got replaced the first time. It is usually dimmed to about 75%
When I moved here I had a case of USA made 60 watt GE bulbs, They lasted for years. The 3rd world GE incandescent bulbs are clearly not the same quality, and some only last for weeks.
I'll defend anyone's rights to make their own choice, but that choice should never be done by Congress or the resident chump of the white house.