LEDs
Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are one of the most energy-efficient and rapidly developing technologies in today’s lighting market. A single ENERGY STAR-qualified LED light bulb can last up to 25,000 hours and use 75% less energy than an incandescent light bulb. According to ENERGY STAR, based on normal use, you can install a bulb in your newborn’s nursery and not have to change the light until he/she graduates from college. If you’re new to the market, you are probably wondering what makes LEDs different than other light bulb options and what you should look for when purchasing one.
What’s the Difference?
Unlike fluorescent and incandescent lamps, which involve glass enclosures, filaments, coatings and gases, LEDs are comprised of either single or multiple semi-conducting chips typically 7 to 9 mm in size that can produce 30 to 150 lumens each (up to 4 watts). Commonly seen as the red flashing light on your Blackberry, the light bulb form offered for your home are multiple LED devices mounted on a circuit board and attached to a bulb design.
Shining Qualities
To maintain personal lighting preferences, LEDs offer a variety of color shades, shapes, and power to suit your design and usage needs. Average LED bulbs have the ability to replace 40W and 60W traditional incandescent lights.
Here are some characteristics to consider about LEDs:
- Turn on instantly, no warm-up time
- Produce significantly less heat than incandescent bulbs, reducing air conditioning energy
- Performance improves in the cold
- No breakable filaments or glass
- Not all are dimmable, make sure to check the packaging
- While the prices can seem steep, they are expected to drop
Learn More About LEDs
- ENERGY STAR LED information
- ENERGY STAR color shades information
- Qualities of LEDS