If you are still hanging on to those Edison bulbs, it is time to let go my friend. I understand; you just couldn’t embrace those compact fluorescent bulbs. The CFLs lacked the warmth and fire you desired, I get it. You were concerned about mercury in your home, disposal and radiation.

Now you have a new way to do good for the environment, have the warm glow of the sun, be free of mercury spilling in your home and have no guilt of tossing a bulb in the trash. The new LEDs are here and better than ever.

Now, brace yourself, they are not cheap. Think of replacing those old incandescent bulbs with an LED like you think of replacing your drafty, old, inefficient windows; not cheap, but worth the investment. LEDs can last up to 20 years, yes, years. LEDs cost pennies to run compared to dollars to run the old-time bulbs. The new LEDs can be dimmed almost as well as an incandescent and there is no buzzing like you get from even a dimmable CFL. We even had some LEDs that were labeled dimmable, but flickered terribly.

Philips AmbientLED lit.

My favorite new bulb is the Philips AmbientLED. I have replaced many bulbs, including CFL bulbs, in our house with this new bulb. I know, it does look a little funny, but most of the time you don’t see the bulb or notice it. It is very bright. It seems brighter than what is stated on the package. I love the warm glow from it. I love that it does not flicker or buzz when dimmed. Although these bulbs are no where as cheap as an incandescent at the register, they cost far less than LEDs from just a year or two ago. Not only that, but an incandescent is about 90 percent inefficient. Literally, it makes a better heater than a light.

There is a very good reason that governments decided to phase incandescents out, it is technology from over a hundred years ago. Do you get in touch with friends with telegraphs? No, you call them on your phone, probably your cellular phone. Do you beat your clothes on a rock next to a river? No, you throw them into a washing machine, maybe even a super efficient front loader. Do you go and turn the crank on your automobile engine? No, at this point you may not even turn a key, but instead push a button to start your car.

Come on, join the 21st century. Let go of your incandescents and embrace LEDs; your wallet, energy bill and planet will thank you.