I just bought a house, and am looking to install the lowest-energy light bulbs I can get, all over the house. Up-front cost isn't really a concern, and the time it takes to "earn back" my investment doesn't matter either - I'm doing this because I care about the environment, and want to be a good world citizen. I just want the lowest-energy, highest-quality lighting I can find.
Overall, I'm looking for bulbs that:
1.) Use as little energy as possible!
2.) Rarely need replacement.
3.) Give off white light - normal light bulbs are yellowish, and some things out there are blueish or purplish
4.) Can be bright - at least as bright as a typical 80 or 100 watt bulb
5.) Turn on instantly (that rules out the compact fluorescent bulbs that are starting to become popular)
6.) Fit inside a regular light bulb socket!
7.) Bonus points if they work in a dimmer switch
So my question is, what bulbs should I be buying, and where should I be buying them? Are bright LED/OLED bulbs available somewhere? Are there other types of bulbs I should be thinking about (besides regular, compact fluorescent, and LED/OLED)?
Overall, I'm looking for bulbs that:
1.) Use as little energy as possible!
2.) Rarely need replacement.
3.) Give off white light - normal light bulbs are yellowish, and some things out there are blueish or purplish
4.) Can be bright - at least as bright as a typical 80 or 100 watt bulb
5.) Turn on instantly (that rules out the compact fluorescent bulbs that are starting to become popular)
6.) Fit inside a regular light bulb socket!
7.) Bonus points if they work in a dimmer switch
So my question is, what bulbs should I be buying, and where should I be buying them? Are bright LED/OLED bulbs available somewhere? Are there other types of bulbs I should be thinking about (besides regular, compact fluorescent, and LED/OLED)?