Anyone using LED based lighting for home (in place of 4Ft fluoro's)?

[Stobe]

I've got a 4 bulb, 4ft fluorescent fixture that lights my kitchen.  I've heard lately that some contractors are putting in LED alteratives, but I haven't seen them in person yet.

Just wondering if anyone here is using them, and if so: how do you like them, and where did you find them.

Thanks,
Stobe

[SirPeale]

The problem with LEDs vs florescents is that florescents are still more efficient than LEDs, despite the cool factor.

[SirPeale]

This is new...last time I looked at it (I admit it was a while ago) it was the opposite. 

I got to see one of those LED FL plug-in modules a couple months ago.  Pretty neat.

[Stobe]

I've found the LED replacement bulbs that will snap right in an existing fixture, but has anyone seen a total replacement solution?

[SavannahLion]

The problem with LEDs vs florescents is that florescents are still more efficient than LEDs, despite the cool factor.

No.  The LEDs consume 20% less energy for the same amount of light.

Which product? I've purchased about half a dozen LED direct replacements for (smallish) FL's and incandescents. Sure 20% less energy, but it takes three or four times as many bulbs to match the lumens.

Do not kid yourself by just looking at the box. Apparently manufacturers have a very vague grasp on just what lumens really means.

[ChadTower]

The problem with LEDs vs florescents is that florescents are still more efficient than LEDs, despite the cool factor.

Once you have the LEDs in place, though, they will work nearly indefinitely.  And since it takes so many to light a room you may never have to replace the whole array unless the transformer itself dies.

I light my shed with LED arrays.  Two small fixtures of probably 30 super bright white LEDs, each runs off of  either two or three AA batteries, and they do the whole 10x12 room.  If you wanted to spend time in there you'd probably want to use four fixtures but two do make it safe to walk around in a room full of sharpened blades and tools.

[Ken Layton]

How well do the LED units stand up to power spikes/surges? Probably not as good as fluorescents.

[ChadTower]

How well do the LED units stand up to power spikes/surges? Probably not as good as fluorescents.

Doesn't that depend on the transformer being used on the array a lot more than the LEDs themselves?  It's not like you plug LEDs right onto the 110v source.

[richms]

The newer 3 and 5 watt LEDs are getting up to the efficiancy of T8 fluros, but they dont tell you about the transformer losses, which are quite high for LEDs at the moment, vs the ballasts for a large fluro which are getting down to 5% or so for a cheap electronic one.

Also the colour rendering of LEDs still leaves a lot to be desired - it can be done, but the efficiancy suffers. All up, they are a great replacement for spotlights at the moment, since led dies are about as close to a pointsource as your going to get, but for a replacement for a T5 or even an old T8 fluro, still not there yet.