| One of the best known trends catching on in lighting | | | | bulbs are obvious. Electricity savings are an area in |
| today is the use of Light Emitting Diodes, otherwise | | | | which LEDs excel greatly, as well as their ease of |
| known as LED lights. Although this technology has | | | | installation. Along with this, LEDs last over 50 times |
| been available since the 1960s, widespread use is | | | | longer than incandescent light bulbs. LEDs shine up to |
| increasing today due in large part to the technology's | | | | 50,000 hours or more at full luminosity. The durability |
| energy efficiency. | | | | of LEDs is another selling point, which is why LEDs |
| Without making it too complicated, LEDs work by | | | | are being used more in automobiles and in machinery. |
| transporting electrons through a semiconductor to | | | | Newer vehicles are utilizing LED bulbs in the tail-lights |
| create light. This single LED creates a solid light, as | | | | so that they do not have to be replaced nearly as |
| many people have seen on keychain LED lights; when | | | | often and also due to the fact that they stand up to |
| a number of LEDs are grouped together, though, a | | | | the vibration; since there are no filaments or fragile |
| high level of light can be achieved by using a fraction | | | | glass exteriors to shatter, LEDs are emerging as the |
| of the energy that would have been used otherwise. | | | | first choice in demanding lighting situations. |
| Compared to traditional lights, 80% of the electricity | | | | In the home lighting realm, LEDs are a great choice |
| used by LEDs is transformed to light, whereas only | | | | because they do not burn out; rather, they gradually |
| 10% of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs is | | | | dim after around 50,000 hours. Interference is also |
| converted to light. This is the huge benefit of LEDs - | | | | immensely reduced as compared to fluorescents, |
| their ability to produce the same level of light at a | | | | which often interfere with televisions, phones, and |
| fraction of the energy cost. | | | | audio devices. |
| LEDs are still rather high priced, though. Costing | | | | More track lighting pendants are making use of the |
| around 3 times more than an incandescent bulb, the | | | | LED technology. Since the LED is a directional light, |
| initial purchasing cost is greater; this cost is made up | | | | these are great for lighting areas such as an island in |
| for quickly in electricity savings, however. | | | | the kitchen or overhead lighting in a workspace such |
| Uses in the home are limitless; for example, in the | | | | as an office. |
| kitchen, more under cabinet lighting is created using | | | | Even though the initial investment is higher, it is worth |
| small LED "pucks" which illuminate a small area. These | | | | the home lighting designer's time to look into the |
| lights are strung together under the counter, creating | | | | advantages of LED lighting. This technology is gaining |
| a well-lit working area. In home lighting, LEDs possess | | | | support due to its durability, cost-efficiency, and |
| the ability to do the work of the traditional light bulb | | | | long-life, and could one day replace the traditional light |
| in almost every situation, and often more efficiently. | | | | bulbs we are so used to. |
| Some of the advantages of LEDs over incandescent | | | | |