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carol_theresa

Does anyone actually like LED bulbs?

3 years ago

No matter how low they're turned, I really dont care for LED light. Is anyone with me?


Our recessed can lights were outfitted for LED bulbs. Can I switch them to halogen bulbs?


Please tell me what you use to make your home feel warm and cozy!

Comments (37)

  • 3 years ago

    I love LED lights but I am very careful to select the correct "K" value to provide the warm lighting I prefer. I think most of my bulbs are 2700-3000K. Some folks here say to use 4000K especially in the kitchen but that value is way too sterile for me. The K value has nothing to do with the dimming of the bulb. I've found it hard to get the warmer value bulbs to replace old fluorescent bulbs.

  • 3 years ago

    Surely, the recessed cans you have are not compatible with halogen lamps, they have a different base.

    LEDs are here to stay. In order to figure out what to change, exactly what you don't like about your LEDs would need to be understood.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I love LED lighting in my house I have all LED 4000K some on dimmers but most not. So why would you want to replace LEDs with halogen . We spent the last year finally replacing all out halogens with LEDs I have already noticed a change for the better in my electric bill not to mention no heat form LEDs

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    If your fixtures take a bulb with a screw base you can change them out.


    We're only beginning to learn how harmful LED bulbs are to our health & the environment.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/14/increase-in-led-lighting-risks-harming-human-and-animal-health

  • 3 years ago

    I do think the Kelvin and the CPI are important when choosing an LED bulb. For my remodel, I chose 3000k, a CPI of 90 and dimmer capability and I have been pleased. To my eye, homes lit with 4000k are too cool and sterile feeling while 2700k is too yellow and too warm.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Lower the temperature to 2700 or 3000 in the bulbs.

    In rooms that are not a kitchen or bath? Augment with lower lighting sources......table lamps, standing lamps. Even in the kitchen, look for a corner on your counter to tuck a small accent lamp. Get online and buy every incandescent bulb you can get your hands on....and "HOARDUS MAXIMUS" Do it now...your "ship" is sailing fast.

    1000 bulbs.com

    Hurry. : )

    What REALLY irritates me? Having them shoved down the tonsils. These were supposed to be the big new deal. Already relegated to the trash bin of hideous history. Ruining every lampshade with a sallow yellow green !! as they took forever to fully brighten to more hideous sallow yellow green.:: ( Lol..... "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" Sure you are.......


    No worries..... soon you can choose between lighting a chair with enough to read.......or charging the car you didn't want, and you can forget firing up that monster gas grill by the pool . In fACT? YOU CAN PROBABLY FORGET THE POOL TOO. Unless you let it collect enough rain for a swim.

    Theresa Mary thanked JAN MOYER
  • 3 years ago

    Some of the really bright LEDs blind me, and I sometimes have trouble with the headlights of some cars when driving at night.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Those CFL above have been off the market for avery long time things cahnge welcome to life.Use common sense do not sleep in a space with the lights on everyone knows this no computer in the bedroom . Really the Gaurdian is not the be all and end all of truth

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    As I said, " relegated to the trash bin of history".....

    where I could only pray I find 4000k in my someday heaven or hell..

  • 3 years ago

    Remove your bulb and look for tiny print that might reveal the temperature of the light and the CRI. A 2700K light is warm and glowing. It feels to me a bit like honey. This is probably what you are looking for to feel more cozy. No matter how low you turn a bulb that is 3000K or higher you are going to just get a more shadowy version of a brighter feel.


    Also, professionals will tell you to get bulbs with CRI of 90+. I begin to see the difference at 95+. They are expensive and very hard to find and still look different from bulb to bulb. So start playing first with the temperature of a 2700K. If you still aren't happy then look at CRI.


    I live in NYC where they sell incandescent bulbs in the bodegas in my neighborhood. (Of course the packages say not for sale in the United States) I use a lot of them in my screw-in fixtures, even though they are terrible for the environment. However, I do have some LED's - two recessed lights, under cabinet lights, and six sconces with built in LEDs. They are extremely high quality and all 3000K. Even though I prefer a warm cozy look like you do, these work for me because they are expensive good bulbs. Quality really, really matters with LEDs.



    Theresa Mary thanked Kendrah
  • 3 years ago

    I'm on the I Love LED's wagon!

    I really dislike yellow incandescent lighting and hated having to replace burned out halogens in the range hood.

    Which, if you have 9-20' ceilings is another reason to like LED's.

    I can imagine that some folks grumbled when kerosene lamps started going by the wayside. Like those people, you don't have to switch but you do need to lay in a forever supply.

  • 3 years ago

    I don't like them either. I think some people are more attuned to the blue light they emit. I find it irritating, even disturbing. Everyone is different, so people who don't perceive this think we are crazy. Similar to the way some people like cilantro and other people think it tastes like dirt. At some point in the not too distant future you won't be able to purchase incandescent lights anymore and LEDs will take over. Stock up on the incandescents.

  • 3 years ago

    It's a bit harder to pick out a suitable LED than an incandescent. Back in the day all you had to decide was 40, 60, or 100 watt. Frosted bulb or clear bulb. And you had to keep a supply of them in the house because periodically the filament would burn out.

    I love how long LED's last, how I can get the kind of light, where I want it, from general room lights to undercounter task lights to plant grow lights to closet lights to night lights. One thing I don't care for is how every Vape shop in the state seems to have bought the same over-bright advertising set up. Talk about burning out your eyeballs if you go passed one at night!

    And one more trend I don't like is how just about every light fixture out there has an "integrated LED". It reminds me how disposable our culture has become.

  • 3 years ago


    If you want the warm, cozy, more yellow light you simply need to buy an LED lightbulb that has a k value of between 2700k and 3000k and a CRI of >90.


    It is helpful when people understand the differences between different lighting sources.


    Incandescent bulbs have a natural color temperature (Kelvin) of 2700k

    Halogen light naturally burns at 3000K

    LEDs are available with a variety of color temperature ranging from 1800k to 6500k.


    The other difference between the older, less energy efficient bulbs and LEDs is the CRI value.

    CRI stands color rendering index and measures which specific color waves a light bulb emits.


    Both incandescent and hologens, by nature, have a CRI of close to 100.


    Older and inexpensive brands of LEDs had some difficulty reflecting some light rays.


    For the most part this issue has been resolved and few have a CRI under 80% and many have a CRI of over 90%.


    Because I do a lot of art and color related activities and I moved into my home over 5 years ago, finding an LED with a CRI >90 was challenging. (Found CREE and FEIT met all my lighting criteria at that time.)


    I just searched bulbs.com for LEDs with a CRI >90 and got this list - lots more available today than 5 years ago.





    Theresa Mary thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 3 years ago

    @ BeverlyFLADeziner - the guardian is misleading. Noise and light pollution along with habitat destruction do need to be addressed, but it isn't the use of LED technology that is at the crux of the problem.


    Many cities found that brightly lit streets and parking lots reduce crime. The other side of this coin is the huge impact on wildlife. More light, brighter light, whether LED or other lighting technology is still more light and brighter light.


    Light pollution and noise pollution and habitat destruction along with increased use of pesticides and global warming has impacted the natural eco system.


    One of the big differences I noted when moving between urban, suburban and rural settings was that the closer to the city, the fewer songbirds would be filling my spring mornings with song.


    Songbirds need to be able to hear the mating calls to breed and city noise can interfere with this.


    After being in California for 30 years and returning to my hometown in Central PA I also found that the beautiful ring necked pheasants that graced our yard have all but disappeared.


    Since 1970 the population of Ring Necked Pheasants in PA dropped from 1.3 million to about 110,000 birds.


    Overall the US and Canada has lost almost 3 billion birds since 1970. We have lost 1 in 4 birds.


    https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/vanishing-1-in-4-birds-gone/?__hstc=161696355.43598f04afbd7f8b19a607c824d94b18.1680446062112.1680446062112.1680446062112.1&__hssc=161696355.1.1680446062113&__hsfp=2607812815&_gl=11ughniq_gaMjI3NjY3NjAwLjE2ODA0NDYwNjE._ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY4MDQ0NjA2MS4xLjAuMTY4MDQ0NjA2MS42MC4wLjA.#


    I appreciate your concern, but I think blaming LEDs may be the wrong answer.

  • 3 years ago

    My house is NOT an airport runway and it is NOT a store. I do not like the color of most LED and I detest 4000.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    @ Sherry7bNorthAL - again, you can buy an LED that produces the same color light as an incandescent or halogen lightbulb.

  • 3 years ago

    An expanding population will always have an impact on wildlife, usually negative.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Jennifer Hogan, Yes, maybe. The packaging is had to read and most led lights, you CANNOT change the bulb, you just have to throw away the entire light. The contractors put the wrong lights in my kitchen, they were not to be led. One outside light the entire fixture is led and it is only good for a few years and then must be throwed away. I cannot buy Christmas lights for my tree that are not led and they are the wrong color.

    I do not and will not like led and I especially detest the 4000 crap that a certain someone on here says you HAVE to have. NOT ME.

  • 3 years ago

    I have lived in cities my entire life and have always had enough birds waking me up in the morning that I've longed for a sling shot. I now live in Manhattan where hawks and Eagles soar past my windows.

  • 3 years ago

    I have on old house, with old school ceiling light fixtures. No pot lights. Those light fixtures - you can change the bulbs just like always, no matter if you use incandescent, flourescense, or LED. As do all of the lamps that I have. Heck, I can even get dimmable LEDs for the one that is a dimmer switch, and one that works on my touch lamp. And I've noticed that I can buy "regular" LED or "daylight" LED - which I presume the regular ones are the warmer color and the daytime ones are brighter like you are outside in the sunshine. I got a daylight one for my porch so I can see better at night, and they also provide purer light for crafting where you need to compare colors. AND they last a really long time so I don't have to ask someone to get on a ladder to change bulbs.

  • 3 years ago


    You can get LED bulbs for any "regular" fixture, from old piano lamps to vintage automotive bulbs to modern lighting.


    I do avoid fixtures with built-in LEDs. I don't like disposable things. I prefer fixtures with a standard socket and I've been sticking LEDs in those sockets for a long time. They used to be kind of bad, but still awesome if you were running lights off a 12 volt battery. The more people complain, the better the tech gets!


  • 3 years ago

    LEDs continue to improve and they are more energy efficient. Some are better than others.

    Like it or not, per my understanding. the federal government has banned the manufacture and import of non-efficient light bulbs as of Jan 1 , 2023 and will ban the sale as of July 1, 2023.

    Is this something that is worth allowing it to impact your happiness? Not to me.



  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Not sure your locale. But in a dreary climate 8/9 months of the year? Where you wake in the dark, go to bed in the dark? For SOME of us, they are nails on a blackboard, they are SAD.... they don't make us feel welcome or cheered, upon entering our homes. They sadden even exterior Christmas lights unless you pay out the gazoo for a somewhat decent mimic. I have GE incandescent and no near plans to be rid of those either.

    Call me when they appear exactly the same, all of them, in every possible configuration.

    In the meantime? Let the 80 million folks who champion this control, buy them up!! I doubt the rest of us will destroy earth : )

    CHOICE. ...................In the meantime? Hoarding.

    Along with taking extra kind care of the lamps which I spent a ton of $$$$$$$$$ on - all taking nice glowing incandescent.

    Wait until they decide gray paint is bad for the planet ...LMAO

    Theresa Mary thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I like choices. If I want to spend my money on lighting my home with candles, that should be my prerogative. I use LEDs in locations where I don't want to change the light bulb for the rest of my life. I use them in lamps sometimes when I can be sure there will be a shade covering the bulb.


    The mandate for low-water consumption toilets went so well for this country. I just hate when it's dictated to us. The free market is often a better solution to these matters.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    "The free market is *often a better solution to these matters."

    Edit*: Always.

    Meaning that nasty capitalism thing, so despised as of late.

    Not to be confused with "if you build it they will come" lol, but the LAST thing you do is not allow it to BE built.

    Theresa Mary thanked JAN MOYER
  • 3 years ago

    I guess it is all how you choose to look at things.


    Do we care about the earth we leave for our children and grandchildren? I care. I try to do my part.


    I will admit that I do not love my low flow toilet and probably have a better reason than most.


    I had cancer in my lower intestinal track. The cancer left me without some of the parts that slow things down and form solid waste, so I squirt brown liquid into the toilet 6-10 times a day. The new low flow toilets don't rinse well. So I clean my toilet 6-10 times a day.


    I choose to be happy that I am alive, cancer free and not wearing a colostomy bag. So what if I have to clean the toilet 6-10 times a day. At least my toilet is always clean! Don't have to think about when I last cleaned the toilet when company comes over or what it might look like under the seat if male company comes over. It will be sparkling clean.


    I have chosen not to let the color of an LED light bulb or the effectiveness of the low flow toilet take one moment of joy from my life.


    You are going to be stuck with LED bulbs and low flow toilets, but you do have a choice on how you are going to let it impact your happiness.

    Theresa Mary thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 3 years ago

    In my new kitchen we tried LED. Absolutely hated it. And those shadows! It just sucked any warmth right out of the room. We do however have 2700k in the rest of the house which I'm OK with. Lamp shades help somewhat. I so agree with Jan Moyer with the Christmas lights. There is no more sparkle on the garland or ornaments on my tree which is sad. I think I see hoarding in my future! 😏

  • 3 years ago

    Well said, Jennifer; I will attempt to hate my water efficient washing machine that does not get clothes clean with the fierceness of 100 suns instead of 1,000 suns.

  • 3 years ago

    The free market caters to desire. It doesn't generally consider externalities unless forced to. And business has a long history of considering everything that doesn't contribute directly to the bottom line to be an externality. That's why we have regulations-- so that the public good is put before profit, even when it makes us grumpy. So some people are being prevented from wasting energy the way they used to? Oh well: maybe if they were pushing for better LEDs the research to produce them would be happening faster.

  • 3 years ago

    My motion light to sunrm/mudrm I can't get a LED bulb to work there. My house is cold in winter I like the old bulbs. In summer I like the LED.

  • 3 years ago

    I hate how LED can flicker & almost strobe! Halogen is too hot for wiring..

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    All the bulbs you own now have a replacement LED bulb and in many temps They do not all emit a blue light 4000K is like bright daylight who doesn't like a nice bright day. I garee we do not need every light on all night outside for sure .I have motion sensor light at my back door easily replaced with LED .

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    "Nice Bright Daylight" isn't blue. : ) The sky is blue, usually accompanied by the yellow glow of the sun.

    It mimes nothing in nature, but given choice/preference are essentially synonymous? Have at 4000k and enjoy.

    Which is the point for all aspects of design.

    Lets face it: we all love or loathe something. Style, lighting , all.

    It would be quite refreshing : ) to see this in a P.C post:

    " I personally favor the very cool/bright effect of 4000k in every room in my own home. But you may prefer something a bit warmer. Try a 3000/3500 in your kitchen.......!"


  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I detest LED lights and am stocking up on halogen and incandescents. LEDs are not "just light." They cast an awful pall on everything, can harm your eyeballs, and, for me, are unsettling. Where is the choice here? Why do we have to have them mandated? I'll pay the extra electricity to keep the light bulbs I want. If the government is so worried about the environment, why don't they outlaw disposable furniture and plastic packaging?

    I predict they will be on the dust heap just like their CFL forefathers before long.