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The Pros And Cons Of LED Light Bulbs

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

Whereas the incandescent bulb creates light inside a vacuum and the compact florescent bulb does so inside a tube, the LED is referred to as solid-state lighting. It is solid state as it makes use of solid matter, a semiconductor, to generate light.

The semiconductor consists of both a positively and negatively charged component. The positive layer has small openings for the free electrons from the negative component to cross through. When an electrical charge is applied to the semiconductor, a stream of excited electrons passing through the holes emits a light.

The two excellent advantages of LED light bulbs are their really long life and energy efficiency. They just use roughly one tenth as much electricity as normal bulbs and therefore offer enormous savings in power expenses as well as a decreased carbon footprint. This makes them both cost effective and eco friendly.

Their solid state structure and really low heat emissions give them a much longer lifespan. LED light bulbs significantly outlast even compact florescent bulbs and can easily last for a decade or much longer in normal use. This not only saves on the cost of the bulb, but it additionally saves time and replacement costs. Much better suited to survive rough handling and out of doors conditions, a LED light bulb could be relied on to work when required most.

Since they reach their full brightness nearly instantly and are mercury free, LEDs solve a couple of main problems that compact fluorescent bulbs have (mercury content as well as lag time in reaching total brightness).

LED light bulbs are built to emit an extremely directional light so the light may be aimed precisely where it's needed. Also, their light is nearer to the color of daylight, which studies indicate helps people keep alert.

Till recent changes in the technology, the structure of the LED induced much of the light to be trapped inside. This plus the bluish light they usually emitted brought on a dimmer light that made LEDs unattractive for home use.

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

One drawback 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 term, they're not likely to attain mass consumer acceptance until their prices come more consistent with other kinds of bulbs. Though their costs are coming down, LED light bulbs are still relatively costly.

As soon as their costs come down more, LEDs are likely to become the standard and dominate lighting unless a greater technology appears.