Switching to energy-saving bulbs: how many of your lights are actually LEDs?

I hear you on the nostalgia factor - incandescents had a warmth that’s tough to fake. But honestly, a lot of it comes down to color temperature and CRI (color rendering index). Most people just grab any “warm white” LED, but if you want that old-school vibe, look for 2200K-2700K and a CRI above 90. Also, not all dimmers play nice with LEDs, which can cause that weird pinkish cast. Have you tried swapping out the dimmer switch itself? Sometimes that’s the real culprit, not the bulb.

Have you tried swapping out the dimmer switch itself? Sometimes that’s the real culprit, not the bulb.

I get where you're coming from with the dimmer switches - some of them just hate LEDs, no matter what the packaging promises. But honestly, even after swapping to “LED-compatible” dimmers in a couple rooms, I still felt like the light wasn’t quite right. Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about how incandescents fill a room that LEDs can’t fully mimic, even at 2200K and high CRI. It’s not just color - it’s that soft fade at the edges, you know?

I’ve tried those “vintage” filament-style LEDs too. They look cool when they’re off, but once they’re on, it’s still a bit clinical compared to old bulbs. I do love saving on my electric bill, but I ended up keeping incandescents in a few key spots - like over the dining table - just because it feels more inviting for family dinners. Sometimes efficiency isn’t everything...

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about how incandescents fill a room that LEDs can’t fully mimic, even at 2200K and high CRI.

Totally get this - there’s a warmth to incandescents that LEDs still struggle with, especially for those cozy spaces. I’ve noticed the same thing in living rooms. I’ll take the energy savings everywhere else, but sometimes you just want that old-school glow.

I’ve swapped out probably 90% of my bulbs for LEDs, but I keep a couple incandescents in lamps for exactly this reason. There’s just something about that soft, almost golden light you get from them - makes the room feel more inviting, especially in winter. LEDs are great for closets, hallways, anywhere you don’t hang out much. But for reading nooks or the dining table? Incandescents still win, at least in my book.

I totally get what you mean about the warmth of incandescents - there’s just something cozy about them. Have you tried any of those “warm glow” or “vintage” style LEDs? I’ve swapped a few into our living room and, honestly, they’re not quite the same, but they’re getting closer. Curious if you’ve found any particular brands or bulbs that come close to that golden vibe?