Green Talk®

Whole Body, Healthy Home, and Sustainable Garden Inspiration

  • About
    • Press
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • New Here?
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Hire Me
  • 5 Reasons to Subscribe!
  • Build Green
  • Gardening
  • Green Business
  • Green Living
  • Green Home
  • Recycling
  • Tech

EcoSmart LEDs at Home Depot. Bringing Affordable LEDs to the Main Stream

November 10, 2010 By: Anna8 Comments

EcoSmart Recess LED Light.

EcoSmart Recess LED Light.

You know what I hate about Daylight savings time?  It gets dark by 4:30 and I have to turn my lights on.  Not only do I dislike the “unnatural light,” but I hate how my electric bill increases.  Flicking the switch pains me.  When Home Depot asked me to review their EcoSmart LED recess lights, I was ecstatic but cautious since most LEDs project a directional light rather than an over all ambient light.  And there is the price.

What about the LED Light-washing Marketing Claims?

First, let’s get to basics.  Why is everyone so excited about LEDs?  According to Underwriters Laboratories,

“LEDs produce more light per watt than incandescent bulbs, making them exceptionally energy efficient. In fact, many LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light. Looking ahead, the energy efficiency of LEDs is expected to rival the most efficient light sources by 2010”

Saves money.  No mercury.  Long lasting.  What is not to love?  But, how many box store LEDs provide that shocking blue/white light, burn-out before their time, or just don’t give you the right type of light?  As many of my loyal readers know, I like lighting, and salivated when LLF in 2007 introduced their recessed LED light bulb. (LLF is now owned by Cree.)  Beautiful but pricey. Um, still pricey 2 years later, although prices have fallen.

But is the hype true?  The Lighting Facts sponsored by the Department of Energy, is a manufacturer voluntary program to assure and improve the quality of LEDs. Anyone who manufactures, sells, or provides information about LEDs, can take the pledge “to evaluate LED product quality by using the Lighting Facts label.”  See their current partners. According to the website:

“Lighting Facts® showcases LED luminaire manufacturers who commit to testing products and reporting performance results according to industry standards. For lighting buyers, designers, and energy efficiency programs, the Lighting Facts label provides information essential to evaluating products and identifying the best options.”

This is a great site for us consumers.  You can look up products and retail institutions to see who took the pledge.  Before you buy any LEDs, look for the lighting facts label on the packaging for some added peace of mine. (See here for more information about the lighting label.)

The lighting facts label for the  EcoSmart bulbs are listed here.

Specification for us Geeky Lighting People:

What are the lighting specifications for my 60 watt equivalent bulb?

  • Actual Color Temperature (K) : 3000 K
  • Assembled Depth (in.) : 4.66 in
  • Assembled Height (in.) : 4.66 in
  • Assembled Width (in.) : 3.78 in
  • Average Life (hours) : 50000
  • Bulb Diameter (In.) : 3.78
  • Bulb Length (In.) : 4.66
  • Commercial/Residential : Commercial/Residential
  • Dimmable : Yes
  • Energy Star Compliant : No
  • Indoor/Outdoor : Indoor/Outdoor
  • Item Package Type : Cardboard Container
  • Item Weight : .99 lb
  • Light Bulb Base Type : Medium
  • Light Output (lumens) : 725 lm
  • Manufacturer Warranty : 5 years
  • Number in Package : 1
  • Wattage (watts) : 15 W

So, How Affordable Are They?  What’s the Price?

So, when Home Depot comes knocking and tells you that they are selling affordable recessed LEDs made by Lighting Science, a company that I know, you listen.  Now, I am not going to persume that I know what is affordable for everyone, so here are the prices for the LED recessed lights:

A 40 watt equivalent, par 20:  $24.97 (18 watt)

A 75 watt equivalent, Par 38:  $44.97 (18 watt)

A 60 watt equivalent, Par 30:  $39.95 (15 watts)

Note, on Lighting Science ‘s website, they say the bulbs are equivalent to a halogen bulb rather than an incandescent bulb.  See here for more EcoSmart LED lights offered at Home Depot.

Which One Did I Test?

My recess lights can handle up to 75 watt bulb.  But, just to give you some background, I have an automatic Lutron dimming system in the house.  Although the dimming system automatically reduces my electrical consumption by 10%, it does not work with florescent lighting.  So, I have been waiting with bated breath for an affordable LED solution.  Right now I have 65 watt bulbs in 6 inch cans in a 10 foot ceiling.  Although my ceiling is dotted with recess cans like a chocolate chip cookie, I still can’t see well in the space.  The ceiling height does not help.

Home Depot offers a 75 watt comparable LED, as mentioned above,  but they were too big for the cans.  Hence the “par 38” number.  Sadden, I opted for the 60 watt comparable LED, and prayed that the light of the LEDs would help my tired eyes.

Do the Math.

I decided to figure out how long it would take to get my money back based upon my usage.  Let’s say I put one of these babies in my family room which gets a lot of use (and abuse.)  I figured I turn on those lights 6 hours a day.

LED vs Incandescent:

65 watts (the incandescent bulb)-15 watts (the LED bulb)=50 watts difference per hour.

50 watts x 6 hours a day x 365 days= 109500

109500/1000 watts = 109.50 kilowatts

109.50 x 16 (winter rate) cents per kilowatt =$17.52 per year.  (Note, my rate increases to 21 cents in the summer.)

Payback 2 years give or take a few months compared to an incandescent bulb.

What about comparing it to a fluorescent dimmable bulb?

An EcoSmart 15 watt bulb costs $9.97.  It lasts 8000 hours.

EcoSmart LED bulb last 50,000 hours and costs $39.97.

LED last 6.25 years longer.

The break even point is 4 years without taking into account the fluctuation in price of the fluorescent.  Then there is the environmental cost of the fluorescent’s mercury content.  Many people throw away their CFL without properly recycling them.  Remember, Home Depot takes back CFLs.

Was I Disappointed?

Hmm.  I think I am going to keep you on pins and needles.  In my next post, will be the Big Reveal. And a Giveaways for four lucky winners! You will be begging me to say, “Move that Bus.”  (Um, like on Extreme Makeover.)

Questions:

  • Would you buy one of these LEDs at the prices noted above?
  • For you geeky lighting people (I love you, people!) what do you think of the specs?
  • Have you tried these lights in your house?

Similar Posts:

  • EcoSmart LED Reveal and Giveaway. Move that Bus!
  • LightFair 2009 Lites Up NYC!
  • A LED That Shines Above the Rest
  • LED Expert Gives his Two Cents About LED Use for Home and Biz
  • LED Buying: Road Map to Get Beyond the Marketing Hype

Grow From Seed Mini Course

Grow From Seed Mini Course

About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 5

    Tracy T says

    February 7, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    Woo hoo! The delivery man just brought me ths LED bulb that I won from this giveaway and I immediately put it in my living room lamp. Voila! I love it! I thought I was doing great by having a 23W CFL in there but this 9W LED takes the cake! I look forward to eventually replacing my CFLs (as needed) with LEDs. And can you believe that it can last *46 YEARS*?! Suh-weeet!

    Thank you so much, Anna, for offering this prize on your blog!

    Glowing with LED happiness in cold MI ;’)

    Reply
  2. 6

    Anna@Green Talk says

    February 7, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Tracy, I love your enthusiasm. It seems that you might be able to downsize light-wise. Did the 9Watt seems just as bright as the 23 Watt CFL? Then this is a double bonus. Anna

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention EcoSmart LEDs at Home Depot. Bringing Affordable LEDs to the Main Stream | Green Talk™ -- Topsy.com says:
    November 10, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Green Moms Carnival, Greentalk , Greentalk , Seth Leitman, Ecocanteen and others. Ecocanteen said: Stuff I've found…: EcoSmart LEDs at Home Depot. Bringing Affordable LEDs to the Main Stream: EcoSm… http://bit.ly/bvRacz […]

    Reply
  2. Home Depot Power Tools Workshop | How To Eliminate Debt Working From Home says:
    November 10, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    […] EcoSmart LEDs at Home Depot. Bringing Affordable LEDs to the Main … […]

    Reply
  3. Speedfight 2 Blue Neons LEDS | Buy a Moped says:
    November 13, 2010 at 11:45 pm

    […] […]

    Reply
  4. EcoSmart LEDs at Home Depot. Bringing Affordable LEDs to the Main … | LED Home Lighting :: Home LED Bulbs – E27 LED Lamps – Home LED Lights says:
    November 29, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    […] View the original home LED lighting news Share and Enjoy Home LED Lighting Today: […]

    Reply
  5. Install CFLs or LEDs in one light fixture | Practically Green says:
    May 10, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    […] I reviewed Lighting Science’s 60 watt comparable recess light bulb sold at Home Depot.  Although I loved the white halogen type light, would I splurge for multiple bulbs at a price tag […]

    Reply
  6. LED Buying: Road Map to Get Beyond the Marketing Hype | Green Talk® says:
    June 16, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    […] noticed when I tried Lighting Science’s EcoSmart bulb that my dimmer acted a little funny.  Some LED bulbs flicker.  Schwartz told me that it could be […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shop from Anna’s Farm– The Naked Botanical– Farm Fresh Teas, Salts & Body Products

The Naked Botanical Click HERE

Save Money By Growing Your Plants Indoors.

Three Must Have Equipment "

Grab My Free Mini Course

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

  • Freeze Cucumbers & Learn How to Use Them.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Ears = Bye to Colds. A Remedy that Works

  • Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner. Make Your Own Green Cleaner

  • 15 Ways to Recycle or Repurpose Your Underwear

Recent Posts

  • How to Grow Grains in a Small Garden
  • Proper Lighting to Grow Seeds Indoors.
  • Gone Vegan: And Loving My New Life
  • Sleep On Latex: A Healthier Mattress to Sleep Better
  • Eco-Friendly Multi-Use Yard Living. Eat and Enjoy.

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

RSS Green Talk TV

  • Hibiscus in the high tunnel and some discoveries I found.
  • Turmeric indoor sowing time!
  • Short snippet of creating a rose hydrosol
  • Elderberry, more uses than just for health
  • The Naked Botanical's Gift Boxes

Copyright Green Talk © 2025 · Website Designed by Clever Kiwi