In order to understand what makes LEDs different from other light bulbs, it is necessary to have a general idea of how other light bulb technologies work, primarily incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs.
Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescents are the traditional light bulbs popularized by Thomas Edison. They create light by forcing electricity through a tiny tungsten coil. The coil, or filament, resists the electricity, and the resistance creates both light and heat. Eventually, the filament burns out. Because much of the electricity these bulbs use is turned into heat rather than visible light, they are very inefficient. Incandescents are being phased out because they use much more electricity than newer technologies.
Fluorescent Lights and CFLs
Fluorescent lights are tubes filled with fluorine gas. They have no filament. Instead, they pass electricity through the gas, causing the glass itself to glow. Fluorescent lights produce much less heat, so they use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and they last much longer. The downside is that their light is naturally slightly bluish and they tend to flicker. Older designs also contain mercury, which is toxic. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, are designed to fit into light fixtures originally intended to take incandescents. Many also have filters to make their light appear yellower. Some newer CFLs do not contain mercury.
LEDs
LEDs are more durable than either of the older technologies (they are not made of glass and will not shatter if dropped), and they are more energy-efficient. They do not contain hazardous materials. LEDs, like CFLs, are also relatively cool and will not heat up the room the way incandescents do. While it is true they cost much more than either CFLs or incandescents, their long lifespans change the way consumers buy bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs were supplies like paper towels or soap, something that had to be bought regularly. LEDs can last as long as some lamps do, depending on how much they are used. Therefore, the initial investment lasts a purchaser much longer than other bulbs.
While it is true that some people prefer the color of incandescent lights, in most ways LEDs outperform incandescents and even CFLs. To compare the efficiency of LED bulbs to other bulbs, look at the lumens to watts ratio. Lumens measure light intensity and watts measure electrical usage, so the higher the ratio, the more light any given bulb gives off for the same amount of electricity. The difference between LEDs and other bulbs is dramatic.
Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescents are the traditional light bulbs popularized by Thomas Edison. They create light by forcing electricity through a tiny tungsten coil. The coil, or filament, resists the electricity, and the resistance creates both light and heat. Eventually, the filament burns out. Because much of the electricity these bulbs use is turned into heat rather than visible light, they are very inefficient. Incandescents are being phased out because they use much more electricity than newer technologies.
Fluorescent Lights and CFLs
Fluorescent lights are tubes filled with fluorine gas. They have no filament. Instead, they pass electricity through the gas, causing the glass itself to glow. Fluorescent lights produce much less heat, so they use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and they last much longer. The downside is that their light is naturally slightly bluish and they tend to flicker. Older designs also contain mercury, which is toxic. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, are designed to fit into light fixtures originally intended to take incandescents. Many also have filters to make their light appear yellower. Some newer CFLs do not contain mercury.
LEDs
LEDs are more durable than either of the older technologies (they are not made of glass and will not shatter if dropped), and they are more energy-efficient. They do not contain hazardous materials. LEDs, like CFLs, are also relatively cool and will not heat up the room the way incandescents do. While it is true they cost much more than either CFLs or incandescents, their long lifespans change the way consumers buy bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs were supplies like paper towels or soap, something that had to be bought regularly. LEDs can last as long as some lamps do, depending on how much they are used. Therefore, the initial investment lasts a purchaser much longer than other bulbs.
While it is true that some people prefer the color of incandescent lights, in most ways LEDs outperform incandescents and even CFLs. To compare the efficiency of LED bulbs to other bulbs, look at the lumens to watts ratio. Lumens measure light intensity and watts measure electrical usage, so the higher the ratio, the more light any given bulb gives off for the same amount of electricity. The difference between LEDs and other bulbs is dramatic.
