The return of the incandescent light bulb
Traditionally incandescent light bulbs waste a lot of energy, only emitting about 5% as light. Fluorescent and LED technology is better, managing to reach up to 14% efficiency.
Now the attention is back on incandescent light bulbs, as researchers have found a way to recycle the heat given off and use it to produce more light instead. They believe it may be possible to achieve 40% efficiency like this!
Heard this on the radio earlier, but h/t to Nicholas Berry for the link.
Steven Fitzgerald says
Fascinating, I now want some.
Alan Stainer says
Me too Steven Fitzgerald
Sam Martinson says
Yay! Now we can save the world!!!
The Dredd Potato says
So will this make meth heads 40% more efficient?
Sam Martinson says
Will now go burn my florescent light bulbs
Tina Bassett says
I not surprised that the people at MIT have done this! They are very smart!
Nola Coulter says
Too bad it is illegal to sell/use them here, in Toronto. I still use ‘old’ style bulbs. The Govt. reacted too soon before there was a viable plan to deal with all the mercury. Soo frustrating. Ty MIT, congrats.
Dr. Ishiku Yūki (偉大な石工) says
actually Led emit 50-60% of their power as light
there is no way light bulbs can be better unless they would create no heat
Alan Stainer says
Ishiku Yūki can you point to an article that states that?
I found an article which indicates LED bulbs give around 55-70 lumens per watt, but that isn’t the same as saying they are 55-70% efficient. The same article also shows incandescent bulbs giving 13-18 lumens per watt.
Here’s a link to it. http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/05/led-lighting-efficiency-jumps-roughly-50-since-2012/
Sam Martinson says
Nola Coulter sorry bro
Nola Coulter says
Samuel Martinson Hey,…y sorry? ‘Cause the ‘hot’ bulbs are illegal now? If so, I know!! There ought to be laws against lobbying, eh!? Ishiku Yūki I have other uses for ‘old’ or ‘hot’ style bulbs other than just for light. Many things can be used in many, or at least a couple, different ways than they are marketed.
Sam Martinson says
Ah
Sam Martinson says
Nola Coulter I see
Edwin Laarz says
Lobbyists trying to bring back old tech so they don’t need to adapt to changing times. You want a straight up comparison of current tech
http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html
According to this LEDs are at least 8 times more efficient than incandescent, without accounting for heat loss or lifespan. Incandescent is dead tech unless you are using it as a heat source.
aron cutishtanu says
Greatest
Binaya Shrestha says
I expect them to be more eye soothing.
Filinto Rodrigues says
I like LEDs more…but this is good news also.
Filinto Rodrigues says
I from time to time like to change from led to incandescent to help my eyes see better and not use always use the same white light or incandescent light……