LED Lamps With Warm White Illumination:

• Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)
• Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)
• Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The color temperature of light is measured in degrees Kelvin. Lower-temperature white LEDs (around 2,000-4,000 K) are warm (yellowish white) like incandescent bulbs. White LEDs with higher color temperatures (above 5,000 K) are cool (blueish white). Whether warm or cool light is desirable is a matter of preference, but many people find warmer tints of white easier on the eyes and more relaxing.

Engineers are able to finely tune the color temperature of LEDs, so LEDs that closely resemble the warm color of incandescent bulbs are widely available. The character of the light isn’t exactly the same—LEDs appear more direct and pure—but LEDs cost less to operate, last longer, and run cooler than traditional bulbs. Remember also, that you can now also purchase warm LED bulbs that replace standard incandescent bulbs.

If you haven’t tried warm white LED light, check out the products below. We’ve found a handful of warm white LED lamps of different shapes and sizes. All of our picks are a great way to explore this energy-efficient, highly-useful technology:

Koncept Z-Bar

Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)

Koncept manufactures a line of LED floor and desk lamps with highly-rated performance and elegant designs. The Z-Bar is a desk lamp housing six warm white (3,200-3,700 K) LEDs with four-step dimming. It casts an even, oval-shaped light pattern that can be directed with great flexibility thanks to this lamp’s three-joint construction. Each section pivots independently, permitting a maximum reach of over 40 inches. The Z-Bar can be mounted on its included 9”-diameter stand or clamped onto the edge of a desk or table. Its aluminum and plastic body is well-built and contemporary. Amazon reviewers give Z-Bars mostly four- and five-star reviews, praising the space-maximizing design and light quality. There are a few complaints about the price and the level of brightness (too low for some). Other comments we found in forums and on blogs are overwhelming positive, with authors such as Landis Carey of Re-Nest stating, “…after using the light on a daily basis over the past (almost) three years, the lamp has been tested, stressed and has proven to be long-lasting and durable.”

Koncept i-Tower

The i-Tower, one of Koncept’s floor-standing lamps, receives similar praise. Amazon customers rate it 4½ out of 5 stars, as do over 15 reviewers on LightingUniverse.com. And over 75 people weigh in on YLighting, where the i-Tower averages 5 of 5 stars. Much of the approbation given to the Z-Bar is given to the i-Tower: elegant design, wonderful light color, and a super-flexible adjustment system. The i-Tower employs the same six-LED design as the Z-Bar, with four-step dimming, aluminum and plastic construction, and oval light pattern. The i-Tower stands on a 9”-diameter base and its vertical arm extends 43.25”. The head will adjust anywhere from three to five feet above the floor. Both the i-Tower and Z-Bar are rated at 9.5 watts and 40,000 hours of operation before dimming to 70% of original brightness. Each carries a one-year warranty.

On Amazon, you’ll find the Koncept Z-Bar ($165) in black, silver, red, and white, as well as the i-Tower ($195) in black and silver.

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)

The LIM L Floor by Pablo Designs has a slim profile and a 3,300 K LED light array. Its aluminum body and light arm connect via a magnetic attachment system. This system allows for precise adjustments as well as the option of adding another light arm for increased illumination. Each attached arm moves vertically between 42 and 51 inches above the floor. The LIM L Floor has an on/off switch and two selectable levels of brightness. It won 2009 Best of Neocon Silver and an iF 2010 Product Design Award. Customers on YLighting give the LIM L Floor 4½ out of 5 stars, and two LightingUniverse.com customers give it an average of 5 stars. The strong points of this floor lamp are its sleek design and diffuse, warm light pattern. Its main drawback is its high cost. Pablo Designs also offers the LIM L Table ($300) for tabletop placement, as well as the LIM C Undersurface ($250), which mounts under a table to clear working space.

The LIM L Floor ($350) is available in black, white, and brushed silver through Amazon. The LIM L Table ($300) is for sale in black, white, brushed silver, and polished silver. The LIM C Undersurface ($250) is available in white and brushed silver.

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern has over 20 customer reviews on Amazon, averaging 4½ out of 5 stars. There is also a lively discussion on CandlePowerForums (Favourlight Mini Lantern Disambiguation Guide) that points out the many positive attributes of this little lamp, which is sold under several different names by several different merchants. At the core of this lantern is a high-quality Cree XLamp XR-E warm white LED. This is a top-notch diode that exhibits high brightness (up to 110 lumens), high efficiency, and long lifespan. It is packaged within a compact (5″ H x 2″ W x 2.5″ D) and durable aluminum body with rubber end caps. It weighs just over seven ounces with the included three AA batteries. It is rated to run up to 24 hours in High output mode, 48 hours in Low mode, and 55 hours in Flash mode. Remove the top cap for flashlight functionality. This lantern comes with a carabiner.

You’ll find the Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern for sale on Amazon.

The AmbientLED from Philips is the latest LED light designed to replace the 60 watt bulbs in people’s homes. Unlike older LEDs I tested, this light is definitely up to that job. It gives off 800 lumens of warm light, while running on 12 watts. It’s the first LED light to earn an ENERGY STAR qualification. To qualify, a 60-watt LED equivalent must have a minimum light output of 800 lumens, a color temperature of 2700K (for soft white light), color rendering index (CRI) of 80 and a minimum three year warranty, among other requirements.

The AmbientLED’s illumination is omnidirectional, closely matching the way light is thrown from an incandescent bulb. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between this LED and an incandescent in a blind test.

It’s good to see LED replacements coming to market that more closely match what people are accustomed to in their homes.

The light sells for $39.95 online at Polar-Ray.

LEDs offer the best energy efficiency of any widely available lighting technology.  And LED lights contain no mercury, as opposed to the compact fluorescent bulbs that have become so common.  But recent reports suggest that LEDs may have their own issues with hazardous substances, so should you steer clear of them?  Not so fast – LEDs are still a great choice for energy efficient, eco-friendly lighting.

Although a recent study from two University of California research teams did find surprising levels of potentially dangerous substances (primarily lead) in some LED lights, the problems are focused primarily on holiday light strands.  LED bulbs may also contain low levels of these substances too, but they are durable and unlikely to break (an important point, since breakage is the only way that the chemicals would be released in a household setting).

LED Light Strands Were The Focus Of The Recent Study

Furthermore, the overall environmental impact of any chemicals contained in LED light bulbs is more than offset by their energy efficiency.  The electricity saved by using LED lighting eliminates far more toxic pollution from power plants than is contained inside a bulb.

So all in all, you should continue to feel good about making the switch to LED lighting.  Just make sure that (as with any electronic products) you dispose of them properly when they reach the end of their life cycles.

via Modern Enviro and USA Today

Pharox 300 Warm Led Light Bulb

The Pharox 300 Flame is the warmest LED light bulb I’ve tested. It’s been in a desk lamp in my living room — it gives off a pleasing yellow glow (a 3000 kelvin output). The Pharox’s light quality is very good. Unlike CFLs, this bulb contains no mercury it emits no UV radiation. Typically, quality household lights tend to have the Color Rendering Index (CRI) between 80 and 100. The Pharox has a CRI of 85.

Pharox Flame LED Light Bulb Replacement

The Pharox Flame outputs 336 lumen, and runs on 6 watts of power. Lemnis says the Pharox is equivalent to a 35W to 60W incandescent equivalent (depending on the lamp or fixture). This light also represents a kind of price breakthrough for LED bulbs — it sells for $24.99 from the manufacturer, Lemnis Lighting.

Lasting six times longer than a CFL and 35 times longer than an incandescent, the Pharox 300 LED light bulb should last 25 years if used four hours daily.

Here’s a comparison chart:

The Pharox 300 Flame Bulb is available from Amazon.

Website: Lemnis Lighting

VU1 ESL Light Bulb

Retailers are gearing up to meet deadlines for the incandescent light bulb ban. Ikea has already stopped selling the inefficient bulbs. And California has pulled the plug and is letting current supplies run down. Many incandescent lovers are shedding tears and hating on the mercury-containing CFLs and the more expensive (though infinitely more efficient) LEDs. So here come the ESLs. The VU1 Corporation has developed a light bulb using Electron Stimulated Luminescence that the company claims to be more efficient than incandescent, CFL, and LED bulbs.

Though using this patented technology in lighting is new, the science itself is by no means cutting edge. It works in the same way that a cathode ray television works- electrons stimulate phosphors inside the bulb to make them glow. The VU1 Corporation is marketing their bulbs as having the same light quality as an incandescent, yet up to 70% more efficient. They’re taking on the LEDs with a cheaper sticker price. And by not containing any mercury, they are a safer option over the CFLs.  They also have dimming capability and come on instantly, fit into a standard socket and have a similar shape to the Edison bulbs. Here is a comparison photo from the VU1 website:

VU1 Light Quality

Energy efficiency compared to an LED though is still in question. The VU1 bulb produces 30 lumens per watt, the equivalent of a 65 watt incandescent. LED technology continues to advance rapidly with some LEDs producing 3 times that many lumens per watt. And the LED holds the top spot when it comes to longevity. The VU1 bulb lasts 10,000 hours, while LEDs average 40,000-60,000 hours. Check out our guide to LEDs here.

Nevertheless, the ESL is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting option and VU1 could find a nice slice of the light bulb market, especially as the incandescent bulbs leave the building. As stated in this report on Bloomberg, VU1 is in talks with two major retailers in the U.S. to begin selling the ESL bulbs. The bulb, which received UL certification in October, currently sells on the company’s website for $19.95.

[Via: Technology Review]

Best LED Christmas Lights

LED Christmas lights have come a long way since they first hit the market. Now you can get just about any shape, size, and color to please the most die hard of holiday decorators. Most agree they are even more brilliant than the traditional incandescent Christmas lights, but perhaps the greatest benefit is that they are up to 90% more efficient. Making the switch will reduce your utility bill and your carbon footprint.

Though the price has come down over the years, they are still more costly than their incandescent counterparts. However, LED Christmas lights can be a better investment in the long run with many providing a long lifespan of up to 100,000 hours and the fact that they are encased in a durable plastic, which offers less chance of breakage than with glass bulbs. And say goodbye to the frustration of having the whole string of lights go out when one bulb dies. That doesn’t happen with LEDs. These Christmas lights are safer as well, especially if you have little kids running around, because they don’t get hot.

Don’t just throw your old lights away. If they’re still working, donate them to a local charity. Your broken ones can be recycled. Christmas Light Source is an online LED company that will take your old lights and recycle them for you, then donate the proceeds to buy books for Toys for Tots. So go ahead and be a Griswold instead of a Grinch this holiday season. Here’s our list of the best LED lights for your Christmas display.

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting 50-Light FlexChange LED Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting 50-Light FlexChange LED Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, a company who have long provided commercial light displays including lighting State Street in Chicago for Christmas, offers high quality LEDs to the consumer. Their patent-pending FlexChange are sealed with non-corrosive components for indoor or outdoor use. This 50 light set features 5 mm wide angle replaceable LED bulbs that are 6 inches apart. These sets can be connected and are Energy Star certified. Amazon reviewers give the FlexChange LED light set an average 4 star rating with most commenting on the high quality. Also available in single colors: blue, green, red, purple, and white.

Sells on Amazon for $25.86.

100 LED Energy Smart Mini Holiday Christmas Lights by GE

100 LED Mini Holiday Christmas Lights by GE

These miniature LED Christmas lights by GE measure 33 feet in length, but you can make them even longer by connecting up to 25 sets together for indoor or outdoor use. The lights are 4 inches apart. All the other lights will still work even if one LED is burned out or loose. They are replaceable, break resistant, and cool to the touch. Keep these glowing even after Christmas as accent lighting. It should be noted that some Amazon reviewers point out that since LED lights are so energy efficient, they are not strong enough to power the motion ornaments. This set uses 8 watts of power.

The Energy Smart GE Mini Christmas Lights are sold on Amazon for $23.00.

GKI/Bethlehem C9 LED 25 Multi-Color Christmas Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem C9 LED 25 Multi-Color Christmas Light Set

Hard to believe these LED lights as they look like a throwback to the traditional lighting of Christmas past. Another selection from GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, who boast the brightest and truest color of LED Christmas lights, this set of multi-colored candle-shaped bulbs is Energy Star certified with 6 inch spacing between bulbs that are UV protected to prevent fading. The C-9 size is perfect for outdoor use, but would also bring some Christmas nostalgia inside. Comes with a 3 year warranty.

Sells for $39.99  on Amazon.

Good Tidings Holiday Christmas Light Set

Good Tidings Indoor/Outdoor Holiday Christmas Light Set

If you’re looking for something a little smaller than the C-9s without skimping on brightness, this set from Good Tidings features 70 multi-colored flame shaped LED bulbs that are 4 inches apart. The green cord measures 23 feet long and can be connected with up to 20 other sets. If one bulb goes out, the others stay lit. Using less than 10 watts of power for the whole set, they are cool to the touch. Authorized for both indoor and outdoor use.

The Good Tidings Christmas Light Set is sold on Amazon for $17.99.

Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String

Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String

These LED multi-color icicle lights by Gemmy provide a multi-function light pattern to create your own holiday light show. The glass-like appearance delivers a cleaner look when the lights aren’t in use, compared to the traditional icicle lights. Each string is 24.5 feet long with 24 icicle bulbs that are 12 inches apart. They can be connected to other light show sets for display inside or outside.

The Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String can be purchased at Lowe’s for around $40.00. There is a smaller set available on Amazon.

Color Selectable Rope Lights

Color Selectable Rope Lights

Orange Tree Trade, an American company, designs LED rope lights that render a low maintenance alternative to bulbs. This 10 foot version contains 60 blue LEDs and 60 white LEDs with 1 inch spacing between them. Using the controller, you can select blue only or white only or a mix of the 2 colors. The rope is 1/2 inch diameter and has an average life of 100,000 hours. Safe for indoor or outdoor use, LED rope lights do not heat up and this one uses about 6 watts of energy for this 10 foot rope. Comes with 10 mounting clips. You can connect with other rope lights up to 100 feet.

The 10 foot color selectable rope light sells on Amazon for $40.60.

Lawn Lights

Lawn Lights

These LED lights for your lawn have become so popular over the past couple years, the company has struggled to keep up with demand. If you’re not one for getting up on a ladder and stringing lights across your house, these lights will still give you a beautiful Christmas display without the hassle. According to their website, you can set them up in about 15 minutes. You can read more about Lawn Lights here. Each set covers 2500 to 3600 square feet. Amazon reviewers have given Lawn Lights an average 4 star rating. One reviewer said the lights still glowed through the extensive snow cover on her lawn which made for a cool effect.

You can get Lawn Lights on Amazon for $59.88.

Solar Powered Christmas Lights

Solar Powered Christmas Lights

Want to completely eliminate your energy cost for Christmas lighting? Try out these solar powered Christmas lights by GudCraft. The 100 LED lights are solar charged during the day to come on automatically at night for approximately 8 hours. Each string is 35 feet in length. What’s great about these is you can decorate anywhere without the use of extension cords or worrying about where you’re going to plug in. Comes in a choice of white or blue. The blue lights have a flash setting as well.

Sold on Amazon in white or blue for around $30.00.

GKI/Bethlehem Christmas Tree Topper with Morphing LED

GKI/Bethlehem Christmas Tree Topper with Morphing LED

Add some energy efficient lighting to the top of the Christmas tree with this color changing star by GKI/Bethlehem Lighting. The LED lighted star flows through a variety of holiday colors. It has a crystal-like appearance when not lit up and attaches to either a real or artificial tree with the 24 inch flexible mounting arm. Energy Star certified, the Bethlehem Star tree topper has received a 5 star rating by Amazon users.

Sells for $50.88 on Amazon.

Energy Efficient Gadget Gifts

Energy efficient isn’t a term often associated with gadgets, especially for those who aren’t technologically savvy. With each holiday season, review sites across the web make their annual picks for the coolest gadget gifts. Generally these gadgets turn out to be novelty items that are tossed aside when the holidays are over.  As energy prices rise, consumers are looking for more energy efficient products while still having fun with the latest gadget. We’ve picked 10 gadgets for your holiday gift list that are energy efficient time savers to delight both the techie and the tech-impaired. You may also want to check out our Green Gift Guide.

NIX Hu-Motion X10A Energy Efficient Digital Picture Frame

NIX Hu-Motion X10A Energy Efficient Digital Picture Frame

Nix Digital is a top selling manufacturer of digital picture frames who have created what they boast as the world’s first energy efficient digital frame. It contains a motion sensor that automatically turns itself on when someone walks into the room. It shuts itself off after not detecting motion for a period of time set by the user. Or you can turn off the motion detection and use the remote control. The Nix X10A was selected by Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry for their Smart Green Home exhibition in 2010. This model contains an internal 512 mb memory which plays JPEG  photos, MP4 videos and MP3 music so you can play specific music to go along with specific photos to create your own slideshow. I like that one Amazon reviewer used it to play back recorded video messages to their kids when they came in too late. You can read other reviews here. Included is a USB cable to connect to your PC or Mac. The screen is a high resolution 10 inch LCD which features a split screen option to display up to 4 photos at once and automatically converts to portrait size if you turn the frame. A much sought-after gadget gift for a parent or grandparent.

The Nix Hu-Motion X10A Digital Picture Frame is sold on Amazon for $109.99.

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

Perhaps the ultimate gadget gift of all, the universal remote has the obvious benefit of eliminating all those pesky remotes cluttering the living room. The Harmony One Universal Remote by Logitech adds the benefit of an energy efficient rechargeable lithium battery with a recharging stand. The downside is the price, being more expensive than other universal remotes, but it is the most highly rated. Features a color LCD touch screen which enables the user to choose up to 15 components with one touch. Set-up is easy with guided online instructions and live customer support. The Harmony One is ergonomically designed  and lights up for use in the dark. Amazon offers this with it’s frustration-free packaging, a recyclable alternative to all the annoying plastic casings and wires found in most electronics’ packaging. Gift this to the entertainment lover on your list.

Sells on Amazon for $160.99.

Belkin Conserve Socket Energy-Saving Outlet

Belkin Conserve Socket Energy-Saving Outlet

A practical gadget gift, the Belkin Conserve Socket is not only energy efficient, but reduces your utility bill by shutting off power with a timer that can be set to 30 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours. The green LED illuminates when the power is on. This is perfect for charging cell phones, shutting off space heaters after a certain time, or eliminating wasted power to appliances such as toasters or coffee makers. It can be plugged into a standard outlet without covering up the bottom socket. Ships in frustration-free packaging.

Sells on Amazon for $9.99.

Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light

Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light

This book light by Mighty Bright uses 2 high intensity energy efficient LED bulbs that last 100,000 hours. Push the button to use one or both of the bulbs which are bright enough to illuminate both pages of a book. It’s compact enough to carry in your bag or in your car for emergencies and can clip on something or use freestanding. Includes 3 AAA batteries or can be powered by an ac adapter which is not included. This is the highest rated book light on Amazon with 56 reviewers giving it a 5 star. I use mine all the time and have tossed my other non-LED book lights. Give this gadget gift to a book lover or Kindle owner.

You can get the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 book light on Amazon for $16.99. You can also get it with the adapter for $24.99.

Sanyo Eneloop 2-AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries with USB Charger

Sanyo Eneloop 2-AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries with USB Charger

The Sanyo Eneloops are one of our picks for the best rechargeable batteries of 2010. This package comes with 2 pre-charged batteries and a USB charger to charge 2 AA batteries in 4 hours or 4 AAA batteries in 2 hours. This would make a great gadget gift for a parent who is constantly having to replace batteries in the kids’ toys or the digital camera. Also great for travel with your laptop. Made in Japan, Sanyo Eneloops last longer than other rechargeable batteries and have received over a thousand 5 star reviews on Amazon.

Sells for $9.84 on Amazon.

USB + AA Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm

USB + AA Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm

A sweet gadget gift for the outdoorsy type, this solar charger from PowerFilm Solar charges 2 AA batteries or a device with a USB port such as a cell phone or iPod. Utilizing earth’s most fundamental energy efficient resource, the Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm recharges in 4 hours in full sun and the USB charge can work in the dark by using the included rechargeable batteries that store the solar energy. Many cyclists and hikers use this charger as it is lightweight and folds for portability, while still offering a large solar panel. The six grommets featured on the bottom of the charger secure the unit to a backpack, the ground, or your car dashboard. This charger has received an average 4 star rating on Amazon. You can read the reviews here.

You can get it on Amazon for $79.99.

Zipbuds By DGA

Zipbuds By DGA

Zipbuds are the latest innovation developed by Digital Audio Group, a California company who make high quality portable audio products. DGA describes these cool looking earphones as “bold, not bulky”. The zipper integrated cable is lightweight, flexible, and best of all, never tangles. Uses a patented centralized acoustic ventilation system and noise isolating eartips for quality sound. Cables are made of Dupont Kevlar. Also includes 3 eartip sizes for a custom fit as well as a sports clip. These would make a terrific stocking stuffer for anyone who enjoys the latest gadget gift. Comes in a variety of colors.

You can get Zipbuds on Amazon for $39.99.

Multi-Color E27 LED Light bulb w/ Remote

Multi-Color E27 LED Light bulb w/ Remote

This LED bulb creates mood lighting with a variety of colors to choose from. Use the remote to select from 16 colors or flow through all the colors with four different transition effects: flash, strobe, fade or smooth. You can also select the from 4 brightness levels. Fits into a standard light socket. You can purchase extra bulbs to go with the remote. These energy efficient multi-color LED bulbs have an average life of 10,000 hours. This would make a cool gadget gift for a teen’s room. Amazon reviewers have given it an average 4 star rating with the biggest complaint being that it is dimmer than expected. Most other reviewers say it’s great for accent lighting.

Sells on Amazon for $32.99.

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch

Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch

Replacing watch batteries is not only one of those aggravating errands, but the batteries contain harmful substances that you then have to worry about recycling. Citizen has developed their energy efficient Eco-Drive line of watches that run on natural and artificial light. These watches use a solar panel to convert light energy into electrical energy which is then stored in a storage cell. The process works so efficiently that many other features are available to the gadget lover besides just telling time. The Citizen Nighthawk features a pilot slide-rule that performs many functions including calculating gas mileage, metric conversion, and pilot and nautical applications. Other features include the stainless steel band, non-reflective scratch-resistant crystal, low-charge indicator, power save function, and water resistant up to 660 feet. Makes for a classy gadget gift for that special man.

The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Nighthawk Watch sells on Amazon for $237.00.

HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse

HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse

This wireless mouse from Hewlett-Packard is for use with a desktop or laptop computer. The eco-friendly features are that it is made of 30% recycled plastic, contains a single AA battery that will last up to 7 months, uses an automatic power saving mode, and packaging is made of 76% recycled materials that can again be recycled. Gadget gift lovers will appreciate the high-tech portability of the laser for use without a pad, as well as the 2 additional programmable buttons that allow you to pull up your favorite applications and websites, control volume, and navigate forward and backward. Amazon reviewers have given the HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse a 4 out of 5 stars.

Sells for $17.45 on Amazon.

Best Solar LED Lawn And Garden Lights

Since LEDs are an efficient light source and draw far less power than traditional bulbs, they are perfect for off-the-grid applications where solar cells charge a battery that powers the lamp. Large-scale applications of this concept include LED road lane markers, but smaller-scale projects like lighting your lawn or garden are perfect uses for them as well.

Keep in mind that most solar LED lights simply won’t be as blazingly bright as a wired halogen lamp, but they can be an efficient and convenient way to illuminate your outdoor spaces – especially in areas where you want to avoid the hassle or expense of wiring.

Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light

Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light

The Motion-Activated Solar LED Light from Frontgate (a popular retailer of landscape accessories) is one of the brightest ones available. 80 LEDs are mounted in a reflective panel to maximize brightness, and the light swivels for precise positioning. The 180-degree sensor triggers the light from motion up to 35 feet away, and a full battery charge will power up to 250 30-second activations. A 15’ cable allows the solar panel to be placed away from the lamp for optimal charging.

The Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light is available for $129.

Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights

Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights

For illuminating walkways or decks, or for upward accent lighting on trees or signage, small spotlights are perfect. These Do It Best solar lights turn on automatically at dusk, and the batteries provide up to 10 hours of illumination when fully charged. The lamps are adjustable to direct light where it’s needed, and the small solar panel on tip pivots to maximize sun exposure.

The Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights are available for $12.99 each at Amazon.

Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection

Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection

A motion detector light is a great way to light dark corners of your property, but often those out-of-the-way spots don’t have a plug. The Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light uses 45 white LEDs to provide illumination. The polycarbonate housing is weather-resistant, and the light detaches from the mounting plate for handheld use. The solar panel can be mounted up to 15’ away from the light in order to charge the lithium ion battery.

You can find the Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection at Amazon for $79.99.

Designers Edge Rechargeable Solar LED Shed Light

Designers Edge Rechargeable Solar LED Shed Light

Sometimes homeowners simply need a low-level light to find their way around paces like work sheds or porches. The Designers Edge Solar LED Shed Light uses 3 rechargeable AAA batteries powered by its remote solar panel to power 10 LEDs, and it’s approved for use in damp locations. Reviewers indicate that there are some variations in brightness between different lights, but agree that the amount of light is adequate for smaller indoor spaces. A pull chain switches the light on and off, and users can select “high” (2-hour) or “low” (4-hour) settings.

The Designers Edge Solar LED Shed Light is available at Amazon for $25.23.

D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern

D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern

The Kiran lantern from D.light is a wonderfully efficient replacement for kerosene or battery-powered lanterns. It’s great for outdoor uses like patio dinners or campouts, and it does double duty as a backup indoor light source. A full charge provides 8 hours of light on the “low” setting, or 4 hours on “high”. The Kiran is 4 times brighter than typical kerosene lanterns, and gives complete 360-degree lighting without the fire risk or the need for fuel.

D.light is committed to producing smart, efficient, and affordable products that can help improve quality of life in the developing world. Learn more at the D.light International website.

You can find the D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern at Amazon for $15.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are a new type of LED where a thin film of organic compounds is used to produce electroluminescence.

This means that OLEDs can produce paper-thin lights and displays — even foldable ones.

They are, however, still in the early stages of development, so their reliability and energy efficiency needs works. But recently, a company called ODC demonstrated an OLED light that comes close to Energy Star standards.

Specifically, UDC reported data for a series of white PHOLEDs that span a range of white colors that were designed to satisfy the requirements of differing lighting applications. These research results range from warm to cool white with varied power efficacies of 54 to 102 lumens per watt (lm/W). Depending on the specific designs employed, the color rendering indices (CRI’s) varied from 70 to 88, and lifetimes varied from 4,000 to 17,000 hours (to 70% of initial luminance at 1,000 nits*).

Via: OLED Info and U.S. Department of Energy

Thanks to Ron for the tip.

Zetalux LED Light Bulb

Update: See our latest post on LED Light Bulbs For The Home.

I recently had the chance to test two state-of-the-art LED light bulbs from EarthLED. LED bulbs have many advantages over incandescents and compact fluorescent: they use very little power, they last 10 years or more, and they contain no hazardous substances. They are also tough: they can be dropped and turned off and on repeated without damage, they can operate in very cold or warm temperatures.

LED bulbs can also save you money in the long term, because an incandescent bulb requires about $300 worth of electricity over ten years of use. The LED bulbs cost $40 (for the 60 watt equivalent Zetalux) and $50 (for the 100 watt equivalent Evolux), and their cost to run over ten years is about $38.

The Zetalux

The first EarthLED bulb I tested was the ZetaLux LED (pictured above). This bulb produces a pleasing warm white light.

Until recently, LED bulbs were only capable of producing a stark, cool white light, so I was happy about the color temperature of this bulb (it’s rated at 3000K). The bulb didn’t need to warm up like a compact fluorescent, and there was no flickering at all.

The Zetalux uses a CREE LED engine and features a high CRI or Color Rendering Index (75 for cool white and 80 for warm white). The bulb is rated at 7 watts. However, when I tested it with a Kill-A-Watt meter it was drawing only 5 watts.

The warm white version of the Zetalux produces 350 lumens, and the cool white produces 450 lumens. Comparing LED bulbs and other bulb solely on lumens is tricky because LED bulbs tend to make better use of their lumens in recessed fixtures (see this page for more details). EarthLED says the bulbs are equivalent to a 50-60 watt incandescent bulb.

The Zetalux LED Bulb illuminating my hallway.

The Zetalux currently sells for $40. The bulb costs about $2 per year to run, assuming it’s left on 8 hours a day and the cost of electricity is $.10 per KWh.

The Evolux

The second bulb I tested was a cool white Evolux. This 13 watt bulb produces 1075 lumens, and according to EarthLED is equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent. This bulb is definitely bright — it illuminates my garage quite well.

EarthLED says the Zetalux and Evolux will become the first FCC and Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) listed LED light bulbs on the market at the end of 2008. Both bulbs are RoHS compliant.

EarthLED will be releasing a dimmable version of the ZetaLux, and a new version of the Evolux in early 2009.

These bulbs are available from GoGreenSolar