An Associate Press article focused on the growing sales of LED Christmas lights, Efficient holiday lighting gains more converts and quoted this blog (blogger) as to the value of the more cost and energy efficient choice: LED lighting over incandescent strings. The AP reporter read Christmas Lights … scrooge or savior? and wanted to discuss the story further. “Scrooge or Savior” highlighted how LEDs can save money through reduced electricity use, longevity (perhaps never needing replacement), and are safer than traditional lights. The subtitle to the AP article, however, shows that at least the headline author seems to have missed the point:
LED lights can cost three times as much, but they save lots of energy
The classic confusion of cost-to-buy versus cost-to-own. LEDs cost more to buy but they cost far less to own over the years and could even cost less in just one holiday season. But this sort of thinking about costs clearly remains outside many people’s way of thinking.
Brian K. Nagatani, an employment attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area, said there’s no point taking a long-term view.
“I would just buy the cheapest one on the shelf,” said Nagatani, 33. “I mean, you only take it out once a year for, like, three weeks.”
Well, Brian, with deep thinking like this, don’t expect a call from me seeking help in any employment dispute. Sure, buy that “cheapest one on the shelf”, not caring that it uses many times the electricity, has that higher fire risk, and will require replacement much sooner. With San Francisco’s 19 cents per kWh, who cares that you might well pay for the LEDs with the electrical savings over those three weeks … and save money over the “cheapest on the shelf”? Oh, of course, that is without getting into that pesky little issue of consciously deciding to pollute more, rather than less. Sure, cost yourself money and pollute more. What a great deal all around. Ever hear of ‘penny wise, pound foolish’, Brian?
It seems, however, that not everyone is as short sighted as Brian. Sylvania is reporting a doubling of LED sales, year to year, with 15-20 million units to be sold this year. Christmas Lights Etc. reports a 50% increase in LED sales, with many items selling out.
“It did catch us off guard a little bit, but we’re all learning from the trend,” Spokesman Aaron Hassen said. “I think people are finally understanding what a difference these make.”
As my discussion ended,
again, if you love Christmas light displays, buy yourself a gift and replace your incandescent strings with LEDs.
Your pocketbook will thank you.
Earth will thank you.
As, for me, a true tipping point in the battle against Global Warming will be when I don’t feel like Scrooge and we start pulling the plugs on non-LED lights.
1 response so far ↓
1 A sign of progress: LED bulbs hitting the stores // Mar 15, 2009 at 10:11 pm
[…] LED recessed lights for years, but they were far from mass market choices. And, there are the LED string lights. And, there are LED flashlights, the LED reading lights, the almost never used LED night light, and […]