LED Bulbs Are The Lighting Of The Future

For years the choice came down to an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent. Even with the relatively recent advent of CFLs ( Compact Fluorescent Lights ), incandescents nearly always won. CFLs are loads more dear and still don't give off the same spectrum of natural-looking light that 'ordinary' bulbs come much more close to.

Light emitting diodes have been used for over 40 years, first making their commercial appearance in watches and little clocks. But for nearly that same length of time, they gave off not enough light and of limited color to be helpful for home illumination. Nobody could read or cook by a dim red light.

But LED bulbs have come a long way in recent years. They produce bright, natural-spectrum white light that can illuminate a medium-sized area with one bulb.

And, not the least consideration, they last practically forever. I have some LED cabinet lighting certain to burn for over 50,000 hours! Some are rated at 60,000 hours. Even if in use for as much as 10 hours per day ( 4 hours/day is closer to average ), that works out to almost 14 years of use.

Add up all the money spent on incandescents - which last from 750-1,000 hours - and the total savings is significant. That doesn't even include the time expended picking up bulbs, changing them and so forth .

aside from the opening outlay costs, the difference in electricity use is similarly dramatic, but in the LED's favor. A 60-watt traditional bulb puts out somewhat less than 900 lumens.

A LED bulb costing approximately $50 is available that's the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent re the light given off. Yet, it consumes only 2 watts of electricity. Multiply that electricity savings by four hours every day over 10 years and the savings will heavily outweigh the price of the LED bulb. At 10 cents/kWh, the total savings over 10 years is about $350. So, the bulb will pay for itself in about eighteen months.

At the same time, a LED bulb runs cooler so there's no risk of burning as so often happens with incandescents. A 100-watt bulb placed in a socket designed for a 40-watt will burn the covering plastic shade in some couple of| matter of} hours or less. Also, how often have you singed your skin when touching a normal bulb? That doesn't happen with LED bulbs.

While incandescents do a decent job or providing a reasonable emulation of natural daylight, LEDs are far better. And, unlike fluorescent bulbs, LEDs have no mercury, which is hazardous if the bulb breaks.

Still LEDs have some drawbacks, aside from the higher cost. They light less than CFL bulbs.

Since LEDs are way more directional they don't do well as exterior lighting. They will do better in reading lamps, recessed ceiling lamps and other such applications than as general ambient light. But where a long-lasting and/or always-on bulb is needed they can be very cheap.

You will find more on LED bulbs by checking out LED Bulbs Are The Lighting Of The Future