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The Positives And Negatives Of LED Light Bulbs

As the compact florescent light bulb has began to quickly replace the aging incandescent light bulb lately, a brand new type of bulb is emerging which will replace them both. The light emitting diode (LED) bulb has benefits that make it a better technology.

Whereas the incandescent bulb produces light inside a vacuum and the compact florescent bulb does so inside a tube, the LED is referred to as solid-state lighting. It's solid state since it uses solid matter, a semiconductor, to generate light.

The semiconductor is made with both a positively and negatively charged element. The positive layer has little openings for the free electrons from the negative part to pass through. When an electric charge is applied to the semiconductor, a flow of excited electrons passing through the holes emits a light.

The two excellent advantages of LED light bulbs are their long life and energy efficiency. They only use almost one tenth as much electricity as conventional bulbs and thus offer huge savings in energy costs as well as a decreased carbon footprint. This actually makes them both cost effective and environmentally friendly.

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

Since they reach their full brightness almost immediately and are mercury free, LEDs clear up a couple of major issues that compact fluorescent bulbs have (mercury content as well as lag time in reaching full brightness).

LED light bulbs are meant to emit a very directional light so the light could be aimed exactly where it is required. Additionally, their light is closer to the colour of daylight, which studies indicate helps people stay alert.

Until recent changes in the technology, the structure of the LED induced much of the light to be trapped inside. This and the bluish light they often emitted brought about a dimmer light that made LEDs unattractive for home use.

LEDs are now much brighter though and may emit the same soft, white light regular bulbs do.

One disadvantage with LEDs that has not been solved yet is cost. While their power savings and long life mean LEDs are cost-effective and save money in the long term, they are unlikely to attain mass consumer acceptance until their costs come more in step with other sorts of bulbs. Though their prices are coming down, LED light bulbs are still relatively pricey.

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