In a recent post I mentioned the compact fluorescent bulb that came in the press kit at the International Builders’ Show. It’s been installed in the front-entrance fixture, where it’s nice and bright without giving the house that “prison-yard feel” that my dear wife loves so much. Inside, I’ve started evaluating a Koncept Z-Bar Lamp that uses 60 LEDs to give a nice blue-white glow. I’m using it beside the bed as a reading lamp and, so far, it’s working well. The light balance works well in a task lamp, since it’s not expected to do anything kind to skin tones. I’m also pleased that it doesn’t cast such a wide light circle that it illuminates the whole bedroom. It’s a very high-tech look, but Carol says she’s interested in one on her side of the bed, too, so I think we may have a winner.

I was very impressed with some of the LED fixtures we saw at the IBS. They use far less energy that halogen or incandescent fixtures, remain relatively cool to the touch and, in the newer versions, have a color temperature that’s shifted much farther into the yellow than earlier LEDs. They’re still far more expensive than the other lighting technologies, but with a lifetime that can be measured in decades and lower energy costs, LEDs have an important role to play in the lighting future.

Categories: Consumer Technology