The Benefits and Drawbacks of LED Lighting

Manufacturers are updating fixtures to accommodate LED technology.

An increasing number of household and office products use light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. According to the United States Department of Energy, manufacturers continue to improve the performance and efficiency of LED products. Improved LED technology may provide consumers with an energy efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

Features

According to a May 17, 2010 "New York Times" article, the newest LED lamps resemble standard light bulbs. LED lamps provide light in a wide area, in a range of warmth and color similar to incandescent bulbs.

Benefits

Unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED lamps do not contain mercury. According to the "New York Times," LED lamps use 20 percent of the energy used by incandescent bulbs. While incandescent bulbs have an expected life of 1,000 hours, LED lamps last up to 30,000 to 50,000 hours.

Considerations

LED products are costly; according to the "New York Times" article, the price of a 40-watt equivalent bulb was expected to reach $40 to $60. According to the United States Department of Energy, manufacturers need to update lighting fixtures to accommodate LED technology.

References

• United States Department of Energy: LED Basics
• New York Times: LED Bulbs for the Home Near the Marketplace
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Mercury