Are LED Bulbs Really More Efficient Than Their Incandescent Counterparts?
A standard incandescent bulb will use almost five times the energy of an LED bulb, a German study concludes. On its face this hardly seems significant since it’s well known that an LED is about five times as efficient as an incandescent bulb from a use standpoint. However this study, conducted by Osram, looks at energy efficiency from a life cycle standpoint. This is important since it refutes the notion that the efficiency of LED bulbs is compromised by an energy intensive production process. In fact, the study finds that the primary energy used in the manufacture in an LED is less than 2% of the total energy consumed over the life of the bulb. Compelling stuff. Even mainstream media such as the NYT has been quick to publish the results.
However a closer examination of the study is revealing. While 2% may sound impressive and further the study highlights how the energy consumed in manufacture is actually less than that of an incandescent, it’s important to understand the assumptions. While it may be true to say an LED is 35% more efficient to manufacture than an incandescent, this calculation is based upon a 25,000 hour versus a 1,000 hour expected life. That a factor of 25.
A number of lighting manufacturers have been scrambling to produce a cost effective LED light bulb for the broad market. Now, Netherlands-based 
