Bob McCarty Writes

During his radio show Monday, Rush Limbaugh mentioned some of the problems faced by people who’ve opted to give compact fluorescent light bulbs a try: They didn’t work, didn’t fit and didn’t last nearly as long as promised. In addition, he noted how CFLs deliver environmental headaches to those who break them.

But fear not! A replacement for the problematic CFL, a “green” product that likely caused at least a few Americans to become unwitting participants in Earth Hour Saturday night, is finally available — and just in time!

It is the GeoBulb™ LED Light Bulb, a product described by its manufacturer, C.Crane, as follows:

The first 60-watt direct replacement, Premium Quality High Brightness (PQ-HB) bulb that uses less than 8 watts. The GeoBulb™ is the same size as a conventional incandescent bulb suitable for direct replacement in any indoor open fixture. It puts out more light than a standard 60-watt bulb but uses less than 8 watts. LED bulbs last 3 years of continuous use or 10 years at about 8 hours per day. Every part of the GeoBulb™ is built for long lasting durability. The GeoBulb™ is the first bulb built to withstand 10 years of use.

While almost everything about the GeoBulb™ — including the fact that it’s available in three versions (“soft white,” “cool white” and “warm white”) — appears favorable, one nagging question remains:

Will people be willing to part with $119.95 per GeoBulb™ — or $113.95 each when they buy a six-pack — without first having confidence that it will live up to the promises?

As for me and my house, call us laggers. Until the GeoBulb™ proves its worth the money, we will probably revert back to candles.