As the compact florescent light bulb has started to rapidly replace the aging incandescent light bulb in recent years, a different kind of bulb is emerging that will replace them both. The light emitting diode (LED) bulb has characteristics that make it a better technology.

Whereas the incandescent bulb creates light within a vacuum and the compact florescent bulb does so in a tube, the LED is referred to as solid-state lighting. It’s solid state because it uses solid matter, a semiconductor, to produce light.

The semiconductor is created with both a positively and negatively charged part. The positive layer has little openings for the free electrons from the negative part to pass through. When an electric charge is applied to the semiconductor, a circulation of excited electrons moving through the holes emits a light.

The 2 excellent advantages of LED light bulbs are their long life and energy efficiency. They just utilize almost one tenth as much electrical energy as usual bulbs and thus offer enormous savings in energy expenses as well as a decreased carbon footprint. This makes them both cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Their solid state structure and very low heat emissions give them a longer lifespan. LED light bulbs drastically outlive even compact florescent bulbs and may easily last for a decade or longer in normal use. This not just saves on the cost of the bulb, but it also saves time and replacement costs. Better suited to survive rough handling and outside conditions, a LED light bulb can be relied on to work when required most.

Since they reach their full brightness almost immediately and are mercury free, LEDs solve a couple of major problems that compact fluorescent bulbs have (mercury content and lag time in reaching full brightness).

LED light bulbs are built to emit a really directional light so the light may be aimed exactly where it is required. Additionally, their light is nearer to the color of daylight, which studies indicate helps people stay alert.

Until recent changes in the technology, the structure of the LED caused a lot of the light to be trapped inside. This and the bluish light they usually emitted caused a dimmer light that made LEDs unpleasant for home use.

LEDs are now a lot brighter though and may emit the same soft, white light regular bulbs do.

One downside with LEDs that has not been corrected yet is cost. While their energy savings and long life mean LEDs are cost-effective and save money in the long run, they’re not likely to attain mass consumer acceptance until their prices come more in step with other sorts of bulbs. Though their costs are coming down, LED light bulbs are still comparatively expensive.

As soon as their prices come down more, LEDs are likely to become the standard and dominate lighting until a better technology appears.

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