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In an
effort to cut energy costs and "go green," many countries, including the United
States, are either considering phasing out incandescent light bulbs or have
already passed laws to ban them. As standard light bulbs go the way of the
dinosaurs, consumers are left with just two viable options, LED light bulbs and
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
The push
has been on for CFLs for the past several years, and in turn, they've received
a lot of press, both positive and negative.
But not much has been said about LED light bulbs. And so the question begs to be answered:
What are LED light bulbs and are they a good alternative to CFLs?
While most
people aren't aware of it, LED (light emitting diode) technology has actually been around
for quite a while. LEDs are basically
tiny light bulbs about the size of a matchstick head that fit into an
electrical circuit. That pinpoint light which indicates your dishwasher is
running, for example, is a LED light.
LED lights are used to form the numbers on digital clocks and are used
as instrument panel lighting in vehicles, boats, and aircraft. Many traffic lights are now composed of
clusters of LEDs.
Because
LEDs are extremely energy efficient, can tolerate temperature variances and
turbulence - all while lasting a long time - the quest began in an effort to
create light bulbs by clustering numerous LED's together. And it's worked. LED light bulbs are now being produced that boast exceptional
energy efficiency. A 7-watt LED light
bulb, for example, can now replace a 75-watt incandescent bulb. As you can guess, the potential savings in
energy costs and greenhouse gasses is enormous.
With claims that
they can last up to 15 years and use 90% less energy than the traditional bulb,
LED light bulbs seem to be a no-brainer at first glance. But problems are prominent and LED
light bulbs currently come up short.
Let's take a look at why:
LED light bulbs are
expensive. Understandably, most
people balk at spending $35.00 to $125.00 for just one light bulb, even when it
results in a notable reduction in energy bills. Considering most homes have
30-plus light bulbs and businesses have significantly more, switching to LEDs
is simply not an affordable option.
LED light bulbs aren't
bright enough. While standard bulbs
and CFLs illuminate light in all directions, the light from LED light bulbs is
directed or focused, like a spotlight.
While this works well for situations such as reading, work areas, and
accent lighting, it results in unsatisfactory illumination for general lighting
needs.
Not all LED light bulbs
are created equal. Many of the less
expensive LED light bulbs produced use poor quality LED's that burn out
prematurely due to manufacturing issues.
Their light output
quickly degrades. Unlike
incandescent bulbs, which release their heat, LEDs contain their heat, which
causes their light quality to degrade.
Even though heat syncs are added to redirect the heat to a circuit
board, issues with temperature overload are still frequent. Tests have shown a loss of 50% of light
output in 6 months.
Due to their brightness,
stability and attractive pricing (not much more than incandescent bulbs) CFL's
are currently the better choice for most homes and businesses. However, if you decide to take LEDs for a
test drive, here are some tips:
1. Start out by trying just one LED light bulb.
2. Do your homework. Take
time research and read consumer feedback and reviews. Weigh the pros and the cons.
3. Pay careful attention to warranties and guarantees from both
the manufacturer and the store you buy from.
4. Buy quality. Phillips
Color Kinetics and Permlight are good brands that currently produce high
quality LEDs.
5. Beware of the less expensive LED light bulbs as they are often
problematic.
As LED technology improves
and prices drop, LED light bulbs will be worth taking a second look at in the
future. But for now, CFLs are clearly
the better overall choice. |
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