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of Home Improvements

*LED lightbulbs*

Cost just pennies a day to run.

Basically, LEDs are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit. They are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material.

LEDs last considerably longer than incandescent or fluorescent lighting. LEDs don't typically burn out like traditional lighting, but rather gradually decrease in light output. Their "useful life" is defined by the Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST) as the time it takes until 70% of initial light output is reached, often 50,000 hours. They are resistant to thermal and vibrational shocks and perform well when subjected to frequent on-off cycling.

Here's how LED light bulbs compare to ordinary bulbs: A regular 40 Watt incandescent bulb burns through a lot more energy than it needs to produce the light you see. A large percentage of the energy that goes into a 40 Watt bulb is wasted as heat. LED light bulbs, on the other hand, generate very little heat as they glow, instead transferring most of their energy directly into light.

The latest LED light bulbs now produce about the same amount of light per watt as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). However, unlike incandescent bulbs and CFLs, which splash light in all directions, LED bulbs are directional. They drive their light in one direction, so that you have light exactly where you want it. This directional lighting equals savings in yet another fashion. LEDs don't waste light (energy) on areas you don't need illuminated, which is also why they're perfect task lights.

LED light bulbs bring a white light into a room. Unlike the yellow light we're so used to seeing from incandescent bulbs, the white light cast by LEDs is closer to the color temperature of daylight. The white light of LEDs is easier on your eyes and it's a great light to read by. Use an LED light bulb in a task or reading light, and you'll have a bright, white light to work by.

Low energy consumption - retrofit bulbs range from 0.83 to 7.3 Watts

Long service life - LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours

Durable - LED bulbs are resistant to thermal and vibrational shocks and turn on instantly from -40C° to 185C°, making them ideal for applications subject to frequent on-off cycling, such as garages and basements.

Directional distribution of light - good for interior task lighting

No infrared or ultraviolet radiation - excellent for outdoor use because UV light attracts bugs

Safety and environmentally conscious - LEDs contain no mercury and remain cool to the touch

Fully dimmable - LEDs do not change their color tint when dimmed unlike incandescent lamps that turn yellow

No frequency interference - no ballast to interfere with radio and television signals

Range of color - LEDs can be manufactured produce all colors of the spectrum without filters, they can also produce white light in a variety of color temperatures

There are some current disadvantages to LED lighting:
LEDs are currently more expensive than more conventional lighting technologies, and may be hard to locate

LED are very heat sensitive. Excessive heat or inappropriate applications dramatically reduce both light output and lifespan

LEDs typically cast light in one direction at a narrow angle compared to incandescent or fluorescent lamps so lenses or reflectors are needed in fixtures to broaden the beam (if desired).

Some common Led applications

Architectural lighting
Task lighting
Mood lighting
Backlighting
Display lighting
Area lighting
Security lighting
Decorative lighting
Flash Lights (see photo below)

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