You are looking at the future of lighting – LED light bulbs.  GE will be launching their  Energy Smart LED bulb sometime in late 2010 or early 2011 for $40-50.

Sooner than later we will all be using LED lights in our homes, offices, malls, etc. because the government is mandating we find more energy efficient lighting.  By 2012, the 100-watt incandescent bulbs we are using will no longer be on store shelves, by 2013 75-watt incandescent bulbs will be put to bed and in 2014 say goodbye to the 40-watt bulbs … our options will be fluorescent and the wave of the future –  LED light bulbs.

Currently, GE, Philips, Osram Sylvania and a number of other competitors are racing to produce high-quality and cost effective LED light bulbs.  Which means the technology will continue to evolve and cost will continue to drop so that we aren’t paying a whopping $40-$50 for a light bulb.

However, when you start to look at the benefits of LED light bulbs, the price point becomes a little easier to handle. GE says the Smart LED light bulb will last for 17 years! Think about it… you can install a LED light bulb in your newborn’s room and not have to replace it until he or she is packing up for college!  The bulb also delivers a 77 percent energy savings when compared to a 40-watt incandescent bulb.  And it includes no mercury.

So when the LED light bulbs hit store shelves who will be the first to front $40-50 per bulb?