LED lighting- whats all the rage?
“L-E-D”. When it comes to lighting, you’re hearing these three letters over and over again… you see it posted all over lighting websites, and its starting to bug you. It seems to be an exciting new trend…some kind of new innovative light…but you have no idea what it is. You’d like to know what everybody’s talking about- what’s all the rage?
LED’s – Light Emitting Diodes - Simply put, LED’s are diodes that…(huh?) hang on, I’ll explain: a diode is the simplest sort of semiconductor device. (what’s that?) wow, you’re impatient: A semi-conductor is a material with the ability to conduct electrical current. Basically, instead of emitting light from a vacuum (as in an incandescent bulb) or a gas (as in a CFL), LED emits light from a piece of solid matter, its semi-conductor. Stated very simply, an LED produces light when electrons move around within its semiconductor structure.
They tell you when to stop and go. They have ruled your driving, saved your life countless times, and that little red man made you wait around till you were able to cross the street. That’s right – the red, yellow and green on the traffic lights are Led lights right in front of your nose. In fact, Light Emitting Diodes have been around for some time, conceptualized in 1907. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that practical applications were found and LED’s were first manufactured. LED used to be used exclusively for traffic signals, brake lights and headlights on luxury cars, and indicator lights on appliances. You probably didn’t even know that LED lights were lighting up your digital clocks, flashlights and telling you when you’ve got a new voicemail message on your cell phone. Expensive at the start, as applications grew, benefits were discovered and manufacturing costs went down. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), lighting manufacturers have invested considerable time, effort and research into adapting this super energy-efficient technology for household use. The technology has advanced enough to win approval from the government’s popular and well-respected Energy Star® program. So here’s why:
- They do more for less. LED’s are efficient-producing a lot of light from a little power. For example, one 5-watt LED can produce more light (measured in lumens) than one standard 75-watt incandescent bulb. The 5-watt LED could do the job of the 75-watt incandescent at 1/15 of the energy consumption. LED’s save energy and, therefore, money. This is because in LED lights, 90% of energy is converted into light, while in incandescent bulbs 90% of energy goes to heat and only 10% to visible light.
- They last longer. LED is virtually maintenance free – they don’t have a filament that will burn out, so they last much longer. A standard “long life” household bulb will burn for about 2,000 hours. An LED can have a useful lifespan up to 100,000 hours! By some sources, LED’s can last for as long as 40 years. Imagine not having to change a light bulb for years. There are LED products available this year that will make frequent light bulb changes so 20th century.
- How it actually works… (skip this part if you don’t really care)Light is a form of energy that can be released by an atom. It is made up of many small particle-like packets, called photons, which are the most basic units of light. LED’s are specially constructed to release a large number of photons outward.When an electric charge strikes the semiconductor, a small electrical current, which is measured by watts (oh! so that’s what they mean by ‘has low wattage’!) is passed through the semiconductor material. this causes the electrons to move around, become “excited” and give off photons. Almost all of the energy emitted is light energy. In an ordinary diode, such as incandescent bulbs, the semiconductor material itself ends up absorbing a lot of the light energy so it produces more heat energy than light energy.This is completely wasted energy, unless you’re using the lamp as a heater, because a huge portion of the available electricity isn’t going toward producing visible light. LED’s generate very little heat, relatively speaking. A much higher percentage of the electrical power is going directly to generating light, which cuts down on the electricity demands considerably. As you can see in the diagram,they are housed in a plastic bulb that concentrates the light in a particular direction. Most of the light from the diode bounces off the sides of the bulb, traveling on through the rounded end.
- They are a better buy (in the long run). Up until recently, LED’s were too expensive to use for most lighting applications because they’re built around advanced semiconductor material. The price of semiconductor devices has plummeted over the past decade, however, making LED’s a more cost-effective lighting option for a wide range of situations. While they may be more expensive than incandescent lights up front, a 60-watt LED replacement bulb runs in the area of $100, and even the lower-output versions, used for things like spot lighting, will cost between $40 and $80. That’s compared to a $1 incandescent and a $2 fluorescent bulb.The reality is, even at $100 for a single bulb, LEDs will end up saving money in the long run, because you only need one or two every decade and you spend less money on home lighting, which can account for about 7 percent of your electric bill [source: Greener Choices]. But don’t worry, the scary price you need to pay upfront won’t last too long, the lighting industry in general expects LED costs to come down quickly. Lighting Science Group, a company that develops and manufactures LED lighting, estimates a 50 percent price reduction within two years.
- It looks nice. The prime replacement for the incandescent light bulb would be the higher-efficiency compact fluorescent, or CFL. However, besides that there is toxic mercury in the design, it gives off a strange, sometimes unpleasant color that even gives some people headaches. Not the LED- its light is easy to see even in bright sunlight and can produce the same soft, white light as a regular bulb. (Although Energy Star does recommend looking for the Energy Star label when shopping for LED bulbs, since the organization tests for color stability as part of its certification criteria.) Here’s the coolest part about LED’s – they can be illuminated and change its light to many colors including a very recent addition of White and Blue. Other are Green, Red, Orange and Amber.
- It’s Safe. LED requires low voltage DC electric current and can run on batteries, so it’s safe to the touch – it doesn’t get hot.
- It’s Strong. LED’s are durable – they aren’t glass but small plastic bulbs.
- It’s Swift. LED’s are easy to implement – they are just tiny bulbs that fit easily into modern electric circuits. Additionally, because of their size, more bulbs can be used on an electrical circuit.
It’s a no-brainer, huh? LED’s are efficient in every way. Why not replace every light bulb with an LED lamp? Direct buy Lighting offers replacements that work in a standard socket.
- The Rage. LED will lead and light up the future. The light bulb that has lit up our homes since the 1800s is officially on its way out. The inefficient incandescent, has fallen out of favor with the financially and ecologically concerned; starting in 2012, U.S. residents won’t be able to buy one even if they want to [source: Linden]. The government is taking the little energy suckers off the market.”This year 2010, will be the first year where LED’s will explode in the residential marketplace,” says architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “We are already seeing amazing LED developments in all parts of our lives, from Christmas lights to LED TVs. One area where LED’s will become predominant in 2010 is the category of desk and task lamps,” Rey-Barreau says. “Another major development will be in replacement bulbs, as the extreme long life of an LED bulb makes it ideal for replacing recessed lights in hard-to-reach areas such as vaulted ceilings in living rooms or kitchens”. If you aren’t sure yet if you want to devote a large portion of your living space to the technology, Rey-Barreau suggests trying under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, a desk or task lamp or path lighting outside to see if you like the illumination it provides before investing in an entire ceiling of recessed fixtures or a large chandelier.
Most homes being built or upgraded now are taking advantage of the new LED technology by the innovator Cree Lighting. The Cree LR6 and Cree LR4 are the three leading LED downlight’s that outshine all in their amazing light output and value.
About the Author
Direct Buy Lighting has over 25 years experience in lighting homes and businesses. We may be a little biased but we believe there is nothing that beats lighting’s transformative powers in the decor of any room. It’s all about the details.
What sets us apart from the rest is that we take our customer’s needs personally. We know every customer has their own agenda in design, with different personal taste, functional requirements and budget when it comes to choosing a light fixture. Of course, no matter who you are, we know only the best will do. That’s why we sell only high quality lighting brands like Hinkley Lighting, Murray Feiss, Quoizel, Maxim, Kichler Lighting and many more lighting companies that create lights that dazzle in both function and design.
Plus, we provide individualized customer service, an experienced staff of experts in the lighting field, and an informative e-mail lighting newsletter. So whether you’re looking for the perfect lamp for your living room or a dazzling chandelier to hang over your dining room table – Direct Buy Lighting has everything you’re looking for and more.
Our goal is to help make the often overwhelming world of lighting simpler and easier for you, providing you with the information and resources you need. Above all, no matter your budget, to provide you with a lighting fixture that you will be happy with for years to come.
|
|
United States Army Double Neon Ring Chrome Light Wall Clock $119.99 |
|
|
New Evanescence Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Color-Change LED Star Night Light Magic Projection Projector Alarm Table Clock $0.99 |
|
|
7- COLOR CHANGING LIGHT ALARM CLOCK W DATE TEMP HM004-3 $8.99 |
|
|
United States Coast Guard Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $119.99 |
|
|
New Jimi Hendrix Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Light Bedside Square Housing Numeral Alarm Clock Orange $8.06 |
|
|
Bedroom Square Dial Table Analog Alarm Clock w Light $9.41 |
|
|
United States Naval Academy Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $119.99 |
|
|
Multifunction Music LED Light Calendar Alarm Clock New $9.14 |
|
|
United States Navy Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $119.99 |
|
|
Night Light Snooze Table Quartz Alarm Clock Purple Wht $7.64 |
|
|
University of Dayton College Neon Light Wall Clock Flyers $116.99 |
|
|
Large Chevrolet Chevy Red 20 Inch Neon Wall Clock Light $219.99 |
|
|
University of Iowa College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
University of Maine College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
New Digital Snooze Light big LCD Backlight Alarm Clock $10.99 |
|
|
New Digital Snooze Light big LCD Backlight Alarm Clock $9.59 |
|
|
Retro Modern Auto Flip Alarm Desk Clock With Light 004 $49.99 |
|
|
University of Maryland College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
University of North Dakota Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
University of Pittsburgh College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Red 20 Inch Neon Wall Clock Light $219.99 |
|
|
University of Toledo College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
University of Utah College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
Natural Music Colorful LED Light Digital Calendar Thermometer Alarm Clock Timer $6.69 |
|
|
UNLV Rebels College Neon Light Wall Clock $116.99 |
|
|
Red Light Tabletop Pen Holder Digital Alarm Clock New $9.93 |
|
|
Wake Forest University College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
Large Richfield Gasoline 20 Inch Neon Wall Clock Light $219.99 |
|
|
Polly Gasoline 20 Inch Retro Neon Wall Clock Light $219.99 |
|
|
White Portable Desk Night Light Single Bell Alarm Clock $10.68 |
|
|
Western Michigan University Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
Wichita State University College Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
7- COLOR CHANGING LIGHT ALARM CLOCK W DATE TEMP HM004-3 $8.99 |
|
|
Clapping Controlled Back Light Projection Clock #633 $8.99 |
|
|
Desktop LED Light Alarm Clock Pen Holder Calendar Watch $6.99 |
|
|
New LED Alarm Clock 7-Color Light With Nature Sound Timer Thermometer function $7.39 |
|
|
1PCS Snooze/Light Large LCD Digital Backlight Alarm Clock New Fashionable Gift $13.49 |
|
|
1PCS Snooze/Light Large LCD Digital Backlight Alarm Clock New Fashionable Gift $12.14 |
|
|
Round Smile Dial Crystal White Night Light Alarm Clock $6.13 |
|
|
Light Blue Plastic Stand Mini Desk LED Mirror Clock $8.67 |
|
|
GLOWING LED light mood night color changing digital Alarm desk clock Thermometer $0.99 |
|
|
New Johnny Depp Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
New Keith Urban Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Triangle Wooden Wood Alarm Clock Desktop Home AA Digital White Night LED Light $2.99 |
|
|
Mini Light Snooze Desk Arabic Number Alarm Clock Yellow $8.72 |
|
|
Colorful Changing Light Table Projection Alarm Clock $11.72 |
|
|
Van Esch 38.5′H x45′W Floor Clock With Light – O’Clock $2,474.99 |
|
|
New Dolly Parton Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Thomas Kinkade Beyond The Light House Decor Wall Clock $0.98 |
|
|
New Mike Tyson Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
New Hugh Laurie Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
New Aaliyah Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
White Green Round Dial Snooze Desk Alarm Clock w Light $7.64 |
|
|
NIB Mirrored & Lighted Guardian Angels Clock w/ Built in Easel Stand $4.99 |
|
|
Round Dial LED Light House Shaped Baby Blue Alarm Clock $7.75 |
|
|
New 2pac Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
BOWLING BALL PINS CUBE LIGHT CLOCK DMYR TEMP NEW $14.95 |
|
|
New Sublime Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
New Linkin Park Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Light Green Silver Tone Plastic Round Dial Alarm Clock $8.72 |
|
|
New Rob Thomas Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
American Flag Neon Light Rock N Roll Guitar Wall Clock $46.95 |
|
|
THOMAS KINKADE BEYOND THE LIGHT HOUSE ROOM DECOR WALL CLOCK NEW $0.98 |
|
|
New Emma Watson Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
LCD Time Clock Mini Hand Torch Projector Projection LED Light Keychain Keyring $0.99 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $7.99 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $3.00 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $3.00 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $3.00 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $8.99 |
|
|
Round Dial Plastic Mini Alarm Clock Wht Purple w Light $11.81 |
|
|
Round Dial Plastic Mini Alarm Clock Wht Purple w Light $8.08 |
|
|
Round Dial Plastic Mini Alarm Clock Wht Purple w Light $7.84 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $6.99 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $3.00 |
|
|
New Cool Beautiful Star LED Night light Digital Alarm Clock Time Projector $0.99 |
|
|
Light Blue Silver Tone Plastic TV Shaped Alarm Clock $8.71 |
|
|
New Alizee Jacotey Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
New Jared Padalecki Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
1950′s VINTAGE RETRO MOD ELECTRIC KITCHEN CLOCK – LIGHT AQUA – SWEEP SECONDS - $39.99 |
|
|
New Janet Jackson Travel Desk Top Alarm Clock Night Light $0.98 |
|
|
Desk Led Night Light Color Change natural Music alarm clock timer alender Clock $7.99 |
|
|
7- COLOR CHANGING LIGHT ALARM CLOCK W DATE TEMP HM004-4 $8.99 |
|
|
Digital Color Change Star Light Projection Alarm Clock $4.99 |
|
|
Triangle Clock Changing Light Temperature Color 8029 $6.99 |
|
|
New Arrival Cute Bear Shape Light Plastic Alarm Clock 1pc $20.99 |
|
|
New Arrival Cute Hello Kitty Shape Light Plastic Alarm Clock 1pc $18.99 |
|
|
Alarm Clock small bedroom desk Analogue Light house new $8.90 |
|
|
Alarm Clock small bedroom desk Analogue Light mouse new $8.90 |
|
|
Alarm Clock small bedroom desk Analogue Light diamond $8.90 |
|
|
1PCS Snooze/Light Large LCD Digital Backlight Alarm Clock New Fashionable Gift $12.15 |
|
|
FOLDING TRAVEL ALARM CLOCK W/BUILT IN LIGHT ONE BUTTON CELL BATTERY INCLUDED $6.75 |
|
|
Western Themed Lighted Mantel Clock Resin Battery NEW B0885 $17.95 |
|
|
1PCS Snooze/Light Large LCD Digital Backlight Alarm Clock New Fashionable Gift $13.59 |
|
|
Australian Shepherd Oak Wall Clock. In Home, kitchen,Living Room or Den Products $95.95 |
|
|
Australian Shepherd Oak Wall Clock. In Home, kitchen,Living Room or Den Products $95.95 |
|
|
Australian Shepherd Oak Wall Clock. In Home, kitchen,Living Room or Den Products $95.95 |
|
|
Australian Shepherd Oak Wall Clock. In Home, kitchen,Living Room or Den Products $95.95 |