An updated vignette of technology change for lighting

In 2011, we replaced lighting cans with LED inserts in our house, instantly reducing lighting energy use by 50% or more. The inserts looked like the ones on the left in the photos below.

Recently (September 2023) I needed to buy a few more to replace some of the old ones that failed. The new ones look like the one on the right in the photos. Both give 700 lumens of light output.

The old ones (with the little wire that screws into the socket) weigh 486 grams, use 11 W, have a color temperature of 3000 K, are about 11.9 cm high, and cost $50 each.

The newest ones weigh 226 grams, use 10 W, have a more pleasing color temperature of 2700 K, are about 6.3 cm tall, cost $11 each, and occupy less than half the volume of the 2011 version.

In a dozen years the price has come down a factor of nine, volume and weight are down by a factor of two (making shipping easier and less expensive), efficiency has improved about 9%, and lighting quality has improved. Not too shabby!

Technological progress like this is why Amory Lovins calls efficiency a renewable resource. It keeps getting better and cheaper over time!

For an intermediate look at the state of this technology in 2019, go here.