LED Basics

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the light-emitting diode (LED), is one of the most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.  It has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States.

The DOE  also predicts that by 2027 widespread use of LEDs could save the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1,000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices.

Standard, incandescent bulbs produce light using a glass enclosure containing a filament, which eventually burns out, LED technology uses tiny light bulbs illuminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor chip, called electroluminescense. 

Lifespan:

Unlike incadescent or CFL lamps, LED's don’t suddenly burn out but gradually fade over time. The lifespan of an LED lamp is based on the number of operating hours until the LED is emitting 70% of its initial light output. A typical incandescent lamp lasts about 1,000 hours; a comparable CFL lasts up to 10,000 hours. But quality white LEDs in well-designed fixtures are expected to have a rated useful life of 50,000 hours or more. 

Safety

Incandescent bulbs are hot to the touch because infrared radiation heats the glass enclosure. Since higher temperatures in LEDs will result in lower light output, referred to as lumen depreciation, the heat needs to be removed using a heat sink, which keeps the device cool by dissipating the heat.

Environmentally Friendly:

LEDs do not have the environmental issues common to traditional lighting  like fluorescentor mercury vapor lights.

Energy Efficient:  

"Lumens" describes the amount of light emitted per unit of power (watts) consumed by the bulb.  LED lighting can result in a 60-75% improvement in overall energy efficiency through increased lumens and decreased watts. The savings could be more than 90%. 

• compact size
• ease of maintenance
• resistance to breakage and vibration
• good performance in cold temperatures
• lack of infrared or ultraviolet emissions
• instant-on performance
• ability to provide dimming and color control