Actually, being on Solar, I switched to all LEDs.. Phillips makes some great ones now.. the light is really close to the color you are used to from the incandescent bulbs.. Of course they cost a good deal more, but unlike the CCFls, the technology is such that these might very well last for 20 years ( over the year and I haven't lost any. I even dropped one and busted its outershell and it still works, broken glass safely inside a overhead light fixture..) Look at your stereo equipment. How old is it? Lost any LEDs on it yet? These are higher power, but are essentially the same solid state technology.This may be the one time the greenies are right about something being better ( but I note they keep pushing the crappy, cheaper, poisonous CCFLs)
No, I am not defending anything these pols have done. The choice to switch should be yours, not theirs, but the technology is there now to allow a switch .. especially if you have any bulbs you can't reach or hate replacing and you can afford it. You don't run out and replace them all at once, because that WILL cost a small fortune, but as each one in your house goes, pick up a new LED to replace it - and take them with you if you move. Leave CCFLs for the new owner.
For a 50 Watt replacement use:
8A19/END/450LM/27/DIMM: p/n 409938; EnduraLED 8W 2700K A19 Dimmable
They look a little like eggs when off - the yellow LED filter can clearly be seen inside the white shell. When on they look just like an incandescent bulb. I paid $25 a piece - and they still seem to cost that much
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-409938-8-Watt-Household-Dimmable/dp/B004VM8B4U/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1357317709&sr=1-2&keywords=EnduraLED+8W+2700K+A19+Dimmablefor 60 Watts:
12A19/END/800LM/2700 120V: P/N 409946; 12W 120V 25000HR WARM WHITE CRI: 80 - Philips EnduraLED 800 Series A19 Dimmable LED Lamp - these are $15 bucks now at Amazon (I paid $25)
http://www.amazon.com/PHILIPS-A-Shape-Dimmable-incandescent-equivalent/dp/B004JQE2BO/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1357317595&sr=1-2&keywords=Philips+EnduraLED+800+Series+A19+Dimmable+LED+LampAnd it is BRIGHT.. I swear its brighter than a standard 60 Watt. I use them outside for my porch lights.. They are a bit funky looking with the yellow shell, so if the aesthetic bothers you, go with the 50s ( which are plenty bright-- they are in the 5 bulb fixture over my dining room table)
LOWES and Home Depot often have these cheaper than Amazon so keep your eyes out.
A standard 60 W incandescent bulb has a service life of about 1500 hours ((There are 8700 Hours in a year if a bulb is left on 24x7) , and costs about $4- Phillps rates their 60W replacement LED at 25,000 hours of service life, and for $15, you need it to only last 6000 hours to make up the cost difference. For $25, it needs to last for 10,000. So even if Phillips is wrong by more than 1/2 on the service life you are still coming out ahead, and that is without adding the energy cost savings gained by using 13 Watts instead of 60- and the fact you are up on a ladder replacing bulbs 16X LESS often. And SAVE the receipts - they offer a 6 year warranty on them too..
So yeah, if your monthly budget allows, consider buying these to replace the dead bulbs as they go.
I have NOT found a decent PAR 30 flood replacement for recessed cans- and they are even more expensive ($40-60) . The ones I have found are too directional - Bright enough, but only over a limited area- useless in the kitchen! - I want to try one of these,(
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-420273-Ambient-13-Watt-Dimmable/dp/B007RKVT4M/ref=sr_1_24?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1357318664&sr=1-24&keywords=Philips+Par+30+LED) but $40 for a try is expensive.. hoping to see them cheaper..