Just coming off of Earth Day in April, most of us are looking for ways to be greener and changing the lighting in our homes is just one of those ways.  This past week, NYC was home to Lightfair International 2009, which is the largest lighting trade show and conference in the world.  One of the exhibitors at Lightfair, Philips, unveiled some new ideas about “green” lighting that may soon find their way into our homes. 

Philips previewed a 600-lumen A-shape LED bulb for consumers that will be able to replace traditional 40-watt incandescent bulbs.  The LED bulb offered is five times as efficient as the incandescent bulb.  That is slightly more efficient than a 40-watt equivalent CFL bulb, which requires 10-watts.  Also, LEDs do not have CFL’s safety issues.  As you likely already know, CFLs have a small amount of mercury in them, which means they must be recycled and extra care most be taken when one breaks. 

As a bonus, with all the money you’ll save on electricity, you might be able to spring for that new gadget you’ve been eyeing, say perhaps, the Kindle 2.