How Much Would You Pay for a Light Bulb?

On Tuesday, I stopped at a local hardware store to buy a new light bulb for our outdoor motion lights above our garage doors. The fixture has two bulbs, but only one has been lit. I figure I’m saving energy if we don’t have to keep both lighted.
I picked out a General Electric LED flood lights with a spiral interior that uses 26 watts and cost about $7. It’s guaranteed to last six years. It has an Energy Star rating and supposedly will save $64 over its lifetime compared to using four 90-watt Halogen bulbs.
OK, but it contains mercury, and the package listed a website for details about proper disposal. Besides, it doesn’t give off much light, though it supposedly turns brighter after a brief warm-up. Typically, the floodlight is only on a short time. I might have to buy a second bulb for the other socket. I’d still be further ahead, however, than paying the energy costs for two traditional bulbs.
Later Tuesday I read an Associated Press story about a new “amazing” light bulb. It will go on sale Sunday, Earth Day, at Home Depot and other outlets. The bulb won a $10 million government contest.
The cost of components, including chips,LED panel light or diodes, that give off the light makes it pricey. Commercial customers will pay $60, but the maker, Philips, will discount it to $50 for consumers. Philips also is working on deals with utilities to discount it further, by as much as $20 or $30, the story said.
This LED bulb uses just 10 watts, meaning it saves about $8 per year in electricity if it’s used four hours per day, the story said. It’s expected to last 20 years—or 30 times longer than an incandescent.