Re: Odd Question: are LEDs more efficient than incandescents?

[Jeff Clearwater <clrwater@valinet.com>]

>
>5) White LEDs, although they do not presently provide as many lumens/watt
>as incandescent bulbs, can be useful because of the long life and low heat
>output.


Something is wrong with this,  Besides my own personal experience 
with the amazing .04 watt night lights, I know that the solar 
catalogs sell LEDs because they are so efficient and make batteries 
last so much longer - and yes again I know they aren't as bright as 
an incandescent but they are in the same league.

Other thing that doesn't add up with the above statment - less heat 
means higher efficiency.  60% of energy of incansdescent I've read is 
heat!  LEDs are absolutely cool to the touch.

My .04 watt night lights light up my bathroom and hallways.  If they 
only put out 1/100th of a 4 watt incandescent night light you 
wouldn't be able to see!  So I really question the accuracy of the 
above statement.

Cheers,

Jeff
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Jeff Clearwater
Ecovillage Design Associates
Community and Village Scale Renewable Energy Systems
413-259-1900, clrwater@valinet.com

Board Member - Living Routes-Ecovillage Education Consortium 
http://www.LivingRoutes.org
Council Member - Ecovillage Network of the Americas 
http://www.gaia.org/secretariats/ena/
Sirius Community, 72 Baker Rd, Shutesbury, MA  01072
(413) 259-1254, (413) 259-1255 Fax
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