LED Lamps

• Extremely efficient
• High life (50,000+ hours)
• Good Color Rendition (CRI)
• Dimmable

LEDs are the up and coming lighting technology. Each successive generation is more energy efficient than then last. Today LEDs last up to 10 times longer than compact fluorescents and far longer than typical incandescent bulbs. The latest LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs produce about the same amount of light per watt as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). LEDs can be found in luminaires (light fixtures) and even retrofit lamps (bulbs).

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor diode that radiates light (electroluminescence) when current passes through it in the forward direction. Electrons move though semiconductor medium and “fall into” other energy levels during their transit of the p-n junction. When these electrons make a transition to a lower energy level, they give off a photon of light. This photon may be in the infrared region or just about anywhere across the visible spectrum up to and into ultraviolet.

Because of the low power requirement for LEDs, using solar panels becomes more practical and less expensive than running an electric line or using a generator for lighting. There are other differences beyond life and energy savings. Unlike incandescent bulbs and CFLs, which splash light in all directions, LED bulbs are directional. LEDs drive their light in one direction, so that you have light exactly where you want it. This directional lighting equals savings in yet another fashion. LEDs don’t waste light (energy) on areas you don’t need illuminated, which is also why they are perfect task lights.

Since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping. These bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu’s/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. Last, no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs, and they are more efficient. LED light bulbs use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL).