LED lights have become popular in many commercial applications. With recent advances and prices falling, they might be something that you'll want to consider in your kitchen and outdoors.



What's a LED Lights?
LEDs or Light Emitting Devices have been with us since the 1960s. LEDs are based on semiconductor technology. There's no filament in a LED light.

That red light showing the time on your alarm clock or the light showing the battery level on your video camera is a LED. Recently, LED lighting is becoming better known as commercial and residential customers find applications for them.

Where have LEDs been used?
LEDs are already replacing conventional technologies in specialty applications, including automobile brake lights, traffic signals, exit signs, and flashlights. According to the US Department of Energy which funds LED research, white LEDs will ultimately replace incandescent and fluorescent lamps in general illumination applications.

Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City is using LED lights to create a giant snowflake display. Credit: Philips

Some of the more obvious LED displays are New York's Times Square Ball, which made its descent on New Year's Eve. The ball included LEDs for half of its lights this year.

LEDs have also taken over the exterior of nearby Saks Fifth Avenue, which employed 40,000 of the tiny lights to create a 10-story-high dynamic display of giant falling snowflakes. Philips Lighting provided the LEDs.

LEDs are currently being used in commercial applications such as large cities like Hong Kong, China and in large LED Display boards like the one at Razorback Stadium.

Until recently, LEDs could not produce white light and that limited their use for residential applications. Now all of that changed rapidly due to new Lexell technology (view the presentation).

What are the major characteristics of LEDs?
LEDs are being touted for their high energy efficiency, long life, high illumination, and being environmentally friendly. Unfortunately they are very expensive. Also the quality of the white light varies. The US Department of Energy's previous study on LEDs questioned the claims of some manufacturers. However, DOE did say that they were making significant progress and has continued to fund LED research.

Why you should consider LED Lights
White light emitting LEDs last up to 50 times as long as a 60- watt bulb—about 6 years if they are on constantly. LEDs are especially useful for older people who can't easily climb ladders or change light bulbs that easily. They make a lot of sense outside of your home as security lights, deck lights, pool lights, pathway lights and accent lights.

We also think that LEDs may provide distinct advantages for residential task lighting and definitely make sense. Again, you will have to weigh their advantages against traditional halogen, compact fluorescent and incandescent lighting which are considerably less expensive.

What's LED lights are available on the market right now?
LED lights are increasingly available on the internet for residential use from companies like Radiant LED Lighting Solutions. They are also appearing in specialty stores like Brookstone and the Sharper images in the form of flash lights and key chain lights.

LED manufacturers recognize this market potential of LEDs and are in a race to bring residential products to market. In fact, I learned that LED manufacturer Lamina Inc. had made an announcement about two new residential LED lights that will compete with halogen lights in the residential and commercial markets.