11 September 2019 — 1258 mdt

How I’m deploying my free LED bulbs
from the Flathead Electric Cooperative

Last month, I received from FEC eight 9.5-watt, 800-lumen, Energy Star compliant LED light bulbs. After testing the bulbs, I noted that although the power factor might have been higher, they’re good bulbs. They’re still available, but the offer closes on 15 September.

Thus far, I’ve deployed five bulbs. Two replaced compact fluorescent bulbs. The other three replaced lower wattage LED bulbs. The net installed wattage decreased by approximately 30 percent.

The energy saved, however, may be greater than the net decrease in the installed wattage.

Three bulbs replaced 400 lumen LED bulbs in overhead fixtures in my hallways because I needed brighter lighting. I use these lights only a few minutes a day.

The other two bulbs replaced big CFL lamps that were on several hours a day. Switching to the slightly dimmer, but still bright enough, LED bulbs reduces by half the amount of energy consumed.

Two of the remaining three bulbs will replace the 100-watt incandescent modeling lights in my studio electronic flash units. The reduced output won’t matter, and the 19-watt draw is low enough that the rig can be used in field, powered by a small 12-volt battery and a 300-watt sine wave inverter. And the last bulb? I’m holding it as a spare.

FEC’s free LED bulbs may save me a few pennies. More important, they’re brightened my house at no expense to me, making my home safer and more pleasant. Those quality of life benefits, hard to quantify in dollars, have considerable value and should not be overlooked.