We’ve all heard the horror stories about IKEA: The couple who goes to purchase matching bed stands and ends up breaking up in the Lounging & Relaxing section; the dad who accidentally fell asleep on a faux leather armchair and is still there, 10 years later, unable to be woken up from his permanent nightmare; and, of course, the horse balls incident. IKEA nightmares are so legion that there’s even a guide on how to survive IKEA with your relationship intact. As of Sept. 1, however, your harrowing shopping experience will be a little bit greener.
IKEA announced it is converting all lighting products in its stores to LED bulbs in the coming weeks and taking all incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescents off the shelves. LED lights have increasingly come into favor as prices have dropped and earlier versions of efficient lights, like compact fluorescents, have proven unpopular with consumers, mainly cause they ugly. The New York Times reports:
LEDs are more expensive. Just a few years ago, an LED that was meant to replace a standard incandescent could cost $30. But those who favor them say they offer better light quality. And as prices have steadily dropped, in part because of government regulations making it easier for more LEDs to qualify for generous discounts, customers have been migrating toward them. General Electric, Philips and TCP, an outfit that makes energy-efficient lighting under its own brand as well as for Home Depot and Walmart, have LEDs on the market for less than $5.
At Ikea, where, Mr. Howard said, the company had been able to work with manufacturers and suppliers to reduce costs because of its scale, a two-pack of 40-watt replacement LED bulbs will cost $4.50, while the 60-watt equivalent bulbs, which can dim, will run $4.50 each. A 75-watt equivalent bulb, which also can dim, will be priced at $11, the company said.
In addition to the bulb switch, IKEA says the company is investing heavily in renewables, with the goal of creating as much energy as it uses by 2020. No word yet on how this will affect the IKEA divorce rate.
