LED Bulbs

Governments across the globe are banning the sale of cheap, energy-gobbllng incandescent llghtbulbs to force consumers to make wiser energy choices. The U.S. phase-out will start in 2012, and so far, the only contenders to replace traditional bulbs are CFLs (compact fluorescents) and LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

CFLs currently account for 25 percent of the lighting market, and their popularity continues to rise as they get cheaper and more versatile. CFLs are certainly more energy efficient and longer-lived than incandescent bulbs (they use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer). But they contain mercury (a known health and environmental hazard), their light quality can be unpleasant, and they still aren't appropriate for all locations and fixtures.

LEDs account for only a tiny percentage of the consumer lighting market at this point, but experts believe their future is brighter than that of CFLs. The promise of LEDs is their even longer life and incredible energy efficiency. But the initial purchase price of LED bulbs will make you gasp. A replacement LED bulb for a 60-watt incandescent costs $100. The technology is changing fast. however. There are specialty LED bulbs on the market right now In the $15 to $20 range. and prices are expected to drop dramatically over the next few years. This article will give you the lowdown on LEDs and help you declde whether any of the LED bulbs available right now are the right choice for you.

An LED is a semiconductor, just like those found in computer chips. When electricity passes through it, the chip glows. LED bulbs are made out of clusters of individual LEDs that sit beneath a durable glass or plastic cover that focuses their light. The amazing thing about LEDs is how little energy they use in relation to the amount of light they produce.

LEDs are up to 90 percent more energy efficient because they convert nearly all their energy into light. They last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs (and four to six times longer than CFLs). Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, convert 90 percent of their energy into heat. Light is a byproduct of heating their fragile filaments (which is why a normal lightbulb gets so hot). LEDs don't have filaments, so they don't waste energy creating heat, which makes them last much longer and stay cool to the touch.

THE GOOD

• An LED bulb can last up to 50,000 hours compared with a CFL's 6,000 to 12,000 hours and an incandescent bulb's 1,000 to 2,000 hours. A quality LED bulb used four hours a day will last for 34 years.
• Like an incandescent bulb, an LED bulb lights up immediately. There's no waiting for full power and no flickering. They can be turned on and off without reducing their life span, they work well outside, and because they don't contain mercury, they don't have the safety or environmental hazards of CFLs.
• LED bulbs work well as a directional light source for task, accent and decorative lighting (but this is also a limitation; see "The Bad" below).
• They add little heat to your home and work well in applications where heat output is a concern (such as inside display cabinets and in rooms with many recessed cans).
• The small size of LEDs allows them to work well in under-cabinet applications such as puck lights or strip lighting. They can also replace bi-pin halogen bulbs (MR16 and GU10) commonly used in track lighting; CFLs cannot.
• Unlike CFLs, LEDs don't interfere with radio or TV reception, their solid state engineering makes them immune to vibration, and their performance actually improves in cold weather.

THE BAD

• There's no Energy Star-qualified replacement LED bulb yet for the typical screw-in light socket. The U.S. Department of Energy is tightly controlling the quality of LED bulbs (having learned from the introduction of CFLs) so inferior products don't come to market and disillusion consumers.
• The reliability of life span ratings and quality of LED bulbs is still questionable. After all, gambling that a $100 bulb will last 50,000 hours is dicier than betting a $3 CFL will last 10,000 hours.
• Individual LED bulbs are highly directional and aren't all that bright, so they aren't good for general room lighting.
• Glare can be an issue with recessed lights, but using a diffuser can help.
• Dimmable LEDs are available but have received mixed reviews. Some users report hearing a slight buzz at the lowest settings.

THE UGLY

Most LED bulbs are extremely (some might say insanely) expensive. A screw-in replacement bulb for a dimmable 60-watt recessed light costs $120 (but it lasts for 15 years). A plug-in decorative LED light for an overhead fixture costs $15 and will last for 12,000 hours (offering the same longevity as a highquality CFL but at three times the price).

Should I buy any LED bulbs now?