LED it gooooooo! Can’t hold it back anymore…
I know. I’m literally the worst person ever. What a terrible pun. #sorrynotsorry
But I can’t stop singing it! Once it popped into my head, it became the soundtrack for this entire project. Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I tried!
This month, Ace Hardware asked the Ace Bloggers to see things in a slightly different light by relighting an entire room with energy-efficient LED bulbs. To test the limits and break free…
I decided to tackle our living room because it’s the one room in our house that doesn’t have overhead lighting (besides the entryway light fixture), so I have no less than seven individual lights that I can switch on in the evening to help light the room…
It’s a bit of a chore to circle around and turn them all on, but I really do love the gentle warm light at night.
At first, I was a little worried that LED bulbs might not give me the same comforting, familiar glow as incandescents (yes, I have been extremely resistant to this whole “energy efficient” lighting movement).
I’ve always disliked the slightly-sickly-blue color cast of CFL (compact flourescent) bulbs, even the ones that claim to emit “warm” light similar to incandescent bulbs. They always come across as “clinical” to me. Color me critical – I can believe it’s not butter.
So when I received my new 7.5-watt (40-watt equivalent) replacement LED bulbs in the mail from Ace Hardware, I was pleasantly surprised to screw them into my lamps, turn the knobs, and be greeted by beautiful, warm lighting that didn’t make me feel like I was sitting in a dentist’s chair or an operating room!
TIP: If you’re looking for familiar warm lighting similar to incandescent bulbs, shop for LED bulbs labeled “soft white”, or that have a Kelvin color temperature of 2700K-3000K.
“Daylight” bulbs are a little cooler and have a color temperature of around 5000k. These bulbs are great if you don’t want a warm, yellow color cast, like in my DIY reading nook where a more yellow light made my perfect coral paint color appear orange.
If you’re a regular reader of blogs, you’re used to seeing photos taken by daylight. One of the first things every aspiring interior photography is told is “Turn off all the lights! Shoot by daylight only!”
So I’m about to share one of the rarest occurrences in the blogging world with you… A blogger’s home in the evening!
Complete with two kitties who were pretty insistent that I stop snapping photos and accompany them upstairs for dinner.
Yep, these new LEDs pass the warm-comfy-glow test with flying (wait for it) colors!
I know $9 per bulb isn’t pennies, but according to this helpful infographic available on the Ace Harware site, I would go through twenty-five incandescent bulbs before just one LED bulb burns out! Plus, LED bulbs use up to 85% less electricity than incandescent bulbs – my new bulbs only cost around 90 cents per year to operate! My living room lights are definitely the most frequently used lights in the house, so I’m excited to see what kind of savings we’ll see.
Add to that, there’s no weird, dim warm-up period for LED bulbs. I have this recurring nightmare that I’m in the house and it’s completely dark and something terrifying is happening, so I switch on the lights but they’re extremely dim and don’t actually brighten anything… I’m scarred for life thanks early-childhood fluorescent experiences. It’s very traumatic.
But I’m happy to report that’s not an issue with LEDs! In fact, I have a few new catchphrases I’d like to suggest for the energy efficient lighting cause…
- LEDs: you won’t feel like you’re in a horror movie.
- LEDs: think of the children.
Basically, I’m totally sold. In fact, you might say…
I’m never going back – the past is in the past!
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I couldn’t be more excited to be a member of the Ace Bloggers panel this year and to partner with Ace on this post! Ace Hardware provided me with the materials for this project and I was also compensated for my time and this post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware. |
P.S. Want to get in on the LED happenings?
Visit your participating neighborhood Ace October 16th-18th and take advantage of this awesome printable Buy 2 Get 1 Free LED light bulb coupon! Buy two select FEIT LED bulbs and get one of equal or lesser value free. There’s no limit, so you can mix and match to get the bulbs you need to re-light your entire house!*
*While supplies last. Store stock only. See store for details.
i can’t wait to led it go in my house! i will be going after the dining room! so glad there is no dim warmup- i HATE that!
I can’t wait to see those LED edison bulbs in action in your dining room! I will definitely be looking for a place to use them myself!
I’ve been a big fan of the energy savings and the longevity I’ve gotten out of my bulbs. I’m more of a bright light kinda gal but occasionally enjoy the dimmer lights especially after a long day of work staring at bright lighted screens. And that’s a pretty darn good sale, I may just have to stop into my local store!
I just realized – my kids could be changing these bulbs! Isn’t that a weird thought?!
LOL, you’re adorable! Can’t wait to try these in my house!!
I have been resistant as well because most of them have failed. I guess I have to try these
Haha! LED think of the children. Done. Your evening pictures look great!! Those bulbs will be so helpful in the upcoming horrible winter months!
Never stop with your brilliant puns! I want to switch to LED lights in our camper; that was actually one of the sad things about buying a used one….the new ones usually come with them already .
Oh yeah – I hadn’t even considered that! The lower wattage of LEDs helps a ton, I’m sure! I’m definitely going to start picking more up as various bulbs around the house burn out!
That is a perfect amount of warmth. I hate yellow toned lights. They ick me out so these are perfect!