You have seen them in a number of applications, forming the numbers on your digital clock or possibly the picture on a big screen television. Yet, the use of LEDs for illumination in as part of lamps and other light fixtures has been limited to date. All of that is about to change, however, as LEDs continue to decrease in price.
Expense, Harsh Light, Previously Deterred LED Sales
The upfront cost of LED bulbs as well as the harsh, bluish light that they emitted have been a deterrent for many consumers. Although prices aren't as outrageous as in the past, the upfront cost still tops some consumers from purchasing them.
"For example a bulb for recessed can lighting typically costs $3-4," said Benson Littman, in a September 2009 interview. Littman is co-owner of Littman Brothers Lighting, a Chicago-area chain of lighting galleries. "A comparable LED bulb costs $120, but you never have to replace it and it pays for itself wthin two years. Still, the upfront cost is daunting."
While the bulbs don't last forever, they do last a long time, with industry claims that they will last up to 50,000 hours. According to a New York Times blog from May, 2009, a number of manufacturers, including Lighting Science, Oram Sylvania, and Phillips announced plans at this year's Lightfair trade show to market a bulb that gives off the same amount of light a a 40-watt incadescent bulb. The bulb is expected to be on store shelves this fall and is expected to cost $20-$30.
LED lights have been produced in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, and green. White light, however, is the most difficult to create with most past attempts coming out bluish, and therefore harsh. Littman indicated that LEDs lights have become softer in the last year and should continue to produce more pleasing light in the future.
How Do LED Bulbs Work?LEDs are similar to traditional incadescent bulbs, but also differ in one major respect in that they don't need a filament to produce light. Much of the energy flowing through an incadescent bulb produces heat, and thus does not go directly toward producing light. LED light bulbs are actually tiny semiconductors, or computer chips which give off light via the electrons that run through it. The flow of electricity is also unidirectional, meaning that LEDs give off light in a specific direction instead of diffusing it through a room.
Advantages of LED BulbsC. Crane, a mnaufacturer of lilghting products, lists the following reasons to use LED bulbs:
- LEDs are extremely energy efficient, using little electricity for illuminating, therefore leaving less of a carbon footprint.
- Unlikes CFLs (compact flourescent light bulbs), LEDs do not use mercury. Thus, disposal is not a concern when they finally burn out.
- Because they burn cooler than halogen or incadescent bulbs, they are much safer to use.
- Studies show that LED lights may help people stay more alert.
With the increased availability of LED bulbs, lower price, and softer white light production, you can expect LED bulbs to become a mainstay in households within the next few years.
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