The world of economical residential lighting continues to offer homeowners new choices. As energy costs fly off like a hot air balloon, new innovations come to the marketplace. As far as home lighting is concerned, new strides are being made not only in energy efficiency, but in bulb life. These are the benefits of LED lighting.
The History of Lighting
First (excluding camp fires and lanterns) came the incandescent bulb, thanks to Thomas Edison. In fact, many homes are lit exclusively with incandescent lighting to this very day. But wait! There are better alternatives. Fluorescent lighting brought an incredible improvement to the residential marketplace when introduced. It literally transformed kitchens and bathrooms.
Other Energy Efficient Choices Illuminating the Home
Compact fluorescent bulbs arrived and expanded the possibilities for efficient home lighting.
Then low voltage lighting started showing up in exterior applications such as landscaping. The obvious migration to home interiors was inevitable. Halogen bulbs showed promise but they are problematic for some applications. They generate far too much heat and are very fragile. The time had come for the LED light bulb!
What is an LED Light Bulb?
The LED (Light Emitting Diode) light bulb is actually a cluster of individual units. Many of these produce white light but others generate light of other wavelengths. The exact combination yields the desired light tone.
This modern lighting falls into the SSL lighting category (Solid State Lighting). This simply means that the light seen is emitted from a solid object, rather than a vacuum or a gas.
The Specific Benefits of LED Light
- Energy efficiency – The light bulbs burn very cool, while incandescent bulbs emit 98 per cent of their energy as heat! Much more bang for the buck.
- Long life – These lights can last from 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Incandescent light bulbs typically last around 1,000 hours and fluorescents are good for roughly 10,000 hours.
- Rugged durability – LED lights have no fragile filament to contend with, and no fragile tube. They are resistant to heat, cold, and shock.
- Lumens per watt – While manufacturers are still finding new ways to increase this ratio, Cree Inc. has been able to produce an LED bulb that generates 131 lumens/watt. This is research, though. Today's available LEDs are the same as compact florescent bulbs, averaging around 55. Incandescent bulbs wander sadly in at about 15.
LED lighting is compatible with most systems. Some models screw in, replacing incandescents. Others can replace halogen bulbs. The under-cabinet light bar is popular for kitchen lighting and other work spaces.
Bulbs for special occasions? Of course! Who doesn't have problems with burnt out Christmas lights every year? They can easily be replaced with LED Christmas light bulbs. Imagine not dealing with this problem for more than 50,000 hours?
They're available in traditionally shaped Christmas tree shape, rope lights, popular exterior icicle strings, garlands... The list goes on!
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
Join the Conversation