| The humble light bulb, little changed for over a | | | | consists of both negatively and positively charged |
| hundred years, is due for a major overhaul, and it | | | | components. The positive layer has small openings |
| appears this change is fast approaching in the form | | | | that free electrons from the negative component |
| of LED bulbs. LED lighting offers much greater | | | | can pass through. |
| efficiency, along with other qualities too, and will in | | | | When an electric charge is applied to the |
| the future be the number one choice for homes and | | | | semiconductor, a flow of excited electrons passes |
| in various devices, such as flashlights. | | | | through the holes. Since they are passing from a |
| Lighting has been dominated by the incandescent bulb | | | | higher to lower energy state, they give off energy in |
| for as long as most us can remember. While they | | | | the form of photons, that can be directed to |
| have undergone some improvements, they remain | | | | produce light. |
| very inefficient, and less than 10% of the energy | | | | This kind of lighting provides many advantages. Being |
| consumed by them is converted into useful light. | | | | solid-state and without filaments to burn out, LED |
| The energy that they waste is evident in the level of | | | | bulbs last much longer (some can last up to 50,000 |
| heat that they produce, and the heat is one of the | | | | hours). Additionally, they are significantly more |
| reasons that they burn out fairly quickly. Remember | | | | durable, and can withstand shocks that other bulbs |
| that all of that lost energy results in more money | | | | cannot. |
| coming from pocket in the form of high electricity | | | | As they are so much more efficient, they run much |
| bills. | | | | cooler. This reduces the risk of being burned by |
| With environmental and energy concerns almost | | | | touching a hot bulb, and also cuts down on cooling |
| certain to grow, a more efficient bulb is needed. CFL | | | | costs in the summer, since the bulbs are not |
| bulbs are a lot more efficient, and are already | | | | producing so much heat. |
| replacing incandescent bulbs in many uses, however, | | | | Unlike CFL bulbs, which take time to reach their full |
| they have some drawbacks, such has taking | | | | brightness, LED bulbs come on within a second or |
| approximately a minute to reach their full brightness. | | | | two. They are also able to be dimmed, can produce |
| LED bulbs are a much better alternative in the | | | | colored lighting without filters, and create a highly |
| long-term. Their only major disadvantage is how | | | | directional light, which is ideal for task lighting. |
| much they cost, but their price will come down as | | | | Their durability and efficiency make them great for |
| they become more widely used. Their high level of | | | | other purposes too, such as for use in flashlights. |
| efficiency is due to their unique, solid-state design and | | | | Since flashlights are required to contain their own |
| way of producing light. | | | | power source, and are often dropped and exposed |
| LED lighting is based upon the movement of | | | | to other shocks, the efficiency and durability of LED |
| electrons through a semiconductor material, which | | | | bulbs make a significant practical improvement. |