LED light bulbs in the Philippines - an insight and observation

The year 2014 may be the time for LED to go main stream in the Philippines.  I have already seen almost affordable LED light bulbs in hardware stores.  Although, most LED bulbs are still expensive, there are some that are sold with an irresistible promo price.

I have already seen 7w LED light bulbs being sold for Php180.00 (around $4.00 US) as a promo price. A 5watt LED cost around Php150.00 (around $3.40 US), and a 3watt LED cost around Php120.00 (around $2.70 US).

To give you a perspective on the current average cost of an LED light bulb, the average cost of a 7watt LED light bulb is Php350.00 (around $8.00 US) with some costing twice as much (Php780.00).  But lately, the prices are going down, since no one is buying LEDs even if they save us money in the long run on the electric bill.  We (Filipinos) still prefer the Php99.00 9w CFL which last about an average of 15,000 hrs.

Because a seven hundred pesos (Php700.00) LED light bulb is just not practical, for something that will slash the electric usage in half and last twice as long.  What exactly did we save? The environment?  Sure now they say LED light bulbs have no mercury and all that environmental stuff.  But most Filipinos can't even spend much on food; let alone buy a very expensive light bulb.  For some middle class, that price is just not practical.  A CFL (compact florescent lamp) will last a year, if your average use of it is about 12 hrs a day.

The right price for an LED light bulb is around the price range of Php180-200.  About twice the amount of a promo priced CFL.  Sure LED light bulb last as much as 3yrs of constant usage.  But whichever company gives the right price for an LED light bulb, will make a profit on most quantity sold and make a name for themselves.

I don't know if an LED light bulb will last more than 3 yrs.  This will be an experiment for me, I still keep my receipt, since there is a 1 yr warranty on some LED light bulbs.  I forgot, if the very first LED light bulb (Philips brand) we bought has a 3 yr warranty.  I have to check.  So, if I use my LED light bulb at an average of 12hrs a day.  I should, be replacing my LED light bulb in about, 6-7yrs.

I'm going to write a review soon on LED light bulbs, that are on the Php120 -180 price range.  Since that is where the consumer market will be for the LED light bulbs.  I will just be reviewing the brightness and build of this light bulbs.  Since not all LED light bulbs are made the same, especially in brightness (lumen).

I still see LED light bulbs as gadgets for the modern age, and LED light bulbs are sold in some gadget stores and at times still treated as a novelty item in the Philippines.