Switching To Energy-Saving Bulbs: How Many Of Your Lights Are Actually LEDs?
I hear you on the dimming—incandescents just have that smooth fade that most LEDs still can’t quite replicate. I’ve tested a bunch of brands for projects, and while the filament-style LEDs look decent, the color rendering (CRI) is usually where they fall short. Some of the higher-end models from Philips or Soraa get pretty close, but they’re not cheap. For me, it’s a trade-off: I’ll use LEDs everywhere except maybe in a couple accent fixtures where I really want that old-school warmth. The energy savings are hard to ignore, especially when you’re dealing with dozens of units... but yeah, there’s still room for improvement.
Totally get where you’re coming from on the dimming thing. I remember swapping out the old bulbs in my workshop, thinking LEDs would be a no-brainer, but that weird “stepped” fade just bugged me at first. Still, after seeing the drop in my power bill, I just couldn’t go back. I keep a couple of those vintage incandescents in wall sconces for the vibe, but everywhere else it’s LEDs now. It’s not perfect, but it’s wild how much better they’ve gotten just in the last few years. Progress isn’t always pretty, but it’s moving in the right direction.
Switching To Energy-Saving Bulbs: How Many Of Your Lights Are Actually LEDs?
That stepped dim is still a pet peeve for me, honestly. In my last remodel, I went all-in on high-end LEDs—every recessed, every pendant, even the landscape lighting. The cost up front was a bit ridiculous, but the payoff is real. I do keep a couple of statement fixtures with classic Edison bulbs for the look, but I’m not kidding myself—running those all over the house would be a waste. For entertaining, nothing beats the convenience and control of smart LEDs, even if they aren’t perfect yet. The tech’s catching up fast… but I’ll always make room for a little old-school ambiance where it counts.
In my last remodel, I went all-in on high-end LEDs—every recessed, every pendant, even the landscape lighting.
I get what you mean about the upfront cost—felt like I was bleeding money swapping every bulb to LED when we moved in. Honestly, I’m still not 100% there. The kitchen and living room are all LEDs, but I’ve got a couple of old halogens in the garage and one stubborn lamp in the guest room that just looks better with a regular bulb. That “stepped dim” thing bugs me too, especially when you’re trying to set a mood and it jumps instead of fading. Still, the energy bill drop is real, so I’m sticking with it for most of the house.
That “stepped dim” thing bugs me too, especially when you’re trying to set a mood and it jumps instead of fading.
That’s the one thing that drives me nuts about LEDs—nothing beats the smooth fade of old-school incandescents for atmosphere. I’ve tried a few “warm dim” LEDs, but they still don’t quite nail it. Has anyone found an LED setup that actually feels cozy, or is it always a trade-off between vibe and efficiency?