When was the last time (if ever) that you actually enjoyed flipping on a light switch or a lamp? Well, my friends, now you can, because if you use LED light bulbs in your home or business, you’ll drastically reduce energy consumption and save serious money on your electricity bills. LED light bulbs require a fraction of the electricity of typical light bulbs and fit into existing sockets. They are energy efficient, long-lasting, and durable; and, LEDs work instantly (as compared to compact fluorescent bulbs, which take a few seconds to power up).

LEDs have been around since the sixties, but were not originally available in white, so they were predominantly used in electronics packaging and other commercial applications. White LED lights were invented in the early 1990s and are now gaining world-wide popularity and usage, since there are now more options for consumers, the technology is steadily improving, and product costs are coming down.

How much can you save?

Before jumping into the physics of how LEDs work, here’s the take-away. Replacing just one incandescent bulb with an LED bulb can save you roughly $30 per year in electricity costs. Imagine how much money you’d save if you replaced all of the light bulbs in your home or business; you could easily save hundreds of dollars per year. And, because no lead or mercury is used in LEDs, you can feel good that you’re buying an earth-friendly, safe technology.

A quick comparison on bulb life reveals that LEDs are, by far, the most economical choice. An incandescent, 60-watt bulb lasts about 1,000 hours. A compact fluorescent,

13-watt bulb lasts up to 7,500 hours. And, a 7.5-watt LED bulb can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 hours, depending on the brand that you buy and its operating conditions.

This means that the total cost of electricity to run the bulb 12 hours per day for one year is roughly $30.14 for the incandescent, $6.53 for the compact fluorescent, and a very low $3.77 for the LED.

What are LEDs?

LED stands for “light emitting diode”. A diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in only one direction. An LED diode is a semiconductor that contains a crystal (usually silicon) and two terminals (called a P-N junction). When voltage is applied to the device, electrons flow into protons and create a photon reaction, or an energy release, that then results in the emission of light.

With an incandescent bulb, current is passed through a thin metal filament until the filament is heated and the result is light. In the case of a compact fluorescent bulb, the current flows through a mercury-filled tube causing it to emit ultraviolet light, which in turn activates a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube that then creates visible light.

Incandescent lighting is inefficient because most of the energy used is given off as heat and light emits from the base and sides of the unit where it is less effective. Compact fluorescent bulbs are cooler to the touch and waste less light from the sides of the device, but these bulbs are hazardous and should be disposed of properly, as in, not placed into a landfill or incinerated. LED lighting, on the other hand, is coolest to the touch of the three and is directional. In other words, the light in an LED bulb comes from the top of the bulb only.

A few of the challenges with LEDs that most affect consumers include a low tolerance for high ambient heat. LEDs function best at temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They are more costly at the cash register than incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. And, LEDs don’t always work with dimmer switches.

Like shopping local? Good news!

C. Crane, a company based in Fortuna and a pioneer in the LED light market, makes high-quality LED light products and radios for different purposes. (In the interest of full disclosure, I help C. Crane with freelance writing projects from time to time.) The C. Crane Web site tells us that “An LED light bulb can last you up to 50,000 hours. That averages out to six hours of light per day for 22 years. Some LED light bulbs are so energy efficient that, depending on how often you have them on, they can pay for themselves in just over a year.”

So, if cost is of concern to you, try to look at the long-term picture of your savings. You can also sometimes find sales on LED light bulbs. Just be sure to do some research first, shop around, and consider replacing your old bulbs over time to help defray the expense.

LED light bulbs are an excellent way to reduce your energy footprint and easily save money on your electricity bills. There is simply no easier way to reduce your electricity usage and manage your monthly electric bill than by replacing your old inefficient light bulbs with energy-efficient LED light bulbs.

###

Liz Casey of ButterFat Writing Services, Inc. provides robust copy and technical writing for clients who want their written collateral to effectively communicate and make them money. She is a member of the Redwood Technology Consortium.

Copyright 2010 Eureka Times-Standard Newpaper. The print version of this article first appeared in the 5/6/10 version of the Times-Standard.

Web Sites Cited

LED Lighting. C. Crane Web site. Retrieved 17:00, April 19, 2010, from http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/led-lighting/

LED lamp. (2010, April 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:05, April 21, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LED_lamp&oldid=356570438

LED Light Bulbs. C. Crane Web Site. Retreved 17:12, April 19, 2010, from http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/

RTI International (2010, February 15). Energy-efficient lighting made without mercury. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100211140629.htm