LED light bulb 9 - The Present and Future of LED Lighting

An LED light bulb that is competitive with traditional incandescent lighting is a fairly recent innovation in the LED technology that has been around for several decades. Light-emitting diodes, or LED's are semiconductors that emit light energy when excited by an electrical current. Though originally used mostly for special applications such as flashlights, solar-powered garden path lighting, and bicycle lights, an LED light bulb can now be purchased for nearly as many applications as an incandescent light bulb.

The exceptionally long lasting durability of an LED light bulb makes it an ideal choice for out-of-reach areas such as stairway light fixtures, theater ceilings, and outdoor floodlighting. Lasting for 25-30 years, the typical LED light bulb promises to outlast any other light bulb out there, and many companies will offer a warranty to guarantee its longevity claims.

Increasing numbers of LED manufacturers are emerging as the technology advances. Many commercial businesses are catching on to the advantages of purchasing LED lights in large quantities for significant cost savings. One particular example is a municipality that decided to replace all of its 710 Christmas tree lights with a more expensive LED light bulb design. After less than 4 seasons of only 50 days each, the power savings was significant enough that the LED lights had paid for themselves. As more lighting manufacturers join the innovation race, continued improvements are likely to continue.

One notable innovation is the application of the LED light bulb in agriculture and gardening. Since its original gardening application by NASA for growing plants in space, LED lights are now being used for horticulture in many homes and businesses. These LED grow lights have specifically tailored wavelengths that are perfect for chlorophyll absorption which promotes growth while conserving energy. Red and blue LED lights assist in plant photosynthesis and are common in grow light panels. Since this type of LED light bulb emits little heat and uses so much less power, it is the perfect complement to a gardener's plant cycle needs. Plants grown under a colored LED light bulb need less watering which helps cut down on water costs as well.

One U.S. company recently built a brand new factory and used LED lighting almost exclusively. The upfront cost was 3 times as much as they would have budgeted for traditional lighting, but all of the extra expense was paid off within two years thanks to the power savings of each LED light bulb. Since LED lights will last for 20 years, the company is now realizing huge savings every month.

As more success stories of the LED light bulb are studied and repeated, mass use of LED lighting technology is likely to increase. As demand and supply increase, continued technology advances will produce new and less expensive LED light production. As the upfront cost of LED's continues to decline, the advantages of this technology will become more apparent to the populace. The consumers of the future will likely warm up to the idea of spending more upfront to realize the many benefits of the LED light bulb.