The future of lighting clearly lies with LED technology. Both low energy Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and conventional incandescent light bulbs suffer serious problems. In addition, LED technology promises to open up innovative possibilities in pretty much the same way that computer chips did (and still do).

The traditional light bulb utilizes a metal filament that converts nine tenths of it’s power into heat instead of light. Not only is this a poor use of increasingly scarce sources of energy, it clearly costs much more than it should. It’s a lose:lose situation – increasing CO2 emissions and a waste of money.

CFLs offer some advances over conventional light bulbs but add in their own particular disadvantages. Among their many problems, maybe the worst is that they contain mercury vapor and are consequently awkward to safely and responsibly dispose of. They’ve also never been accused of being refined and good looking.

Today’s LED lights consume one tenth of the electricity that incandescent bulbs of equivalent brightness use. Furthermore they suffer none of the problems associated with CFL bulbs. Also consider that they are relatively diminutive, quite sturdy and can last anywhere from twenty five to fifty times as long as a regular light bulb.

Well that’s fantastic, so why aren’t we all using LED lights then? Partially ignorance about the economics involved and partially ignorance around the products themselves and how best to use them. On the financial side, most folks look at the comparative purchase costs (LEDs are a lot more costly) and don’t factor in the operating costs (LED’s are as a matter of fact the cheaper option by miles, in spite of costing more).

Installing LED lamps in the home is also a topic with its fair share of confusion and misinformation. The word is not short of people moaning that LED lights are insufficiently bright enough for use in the house. What they are really saying is that they bought low powered products, either as a result of ignorance or penny pinching, but anticipated better performance than they got. Selecting a 1.5w LED over a 6w is basically the same as buying a regular 15w instead of 60w bulb.

But there is more to it than just seeing to it your light bulbs are bright enough in the first place. The light from an LED is noticeably different; whereas most incandescent bulbs give a warm golden glow, they are quite a bit more distinctly white, typically narrow beam and extremely bright when viewed directly. All the characteristics that make a terrific spotlight, which is why they are a tremendous choice for replacing halogen lamps. Unlike CFLs they also retrofit either 12 volt MR16 or GU10 mains format bases.

Another benefit of LEDs is that they run scarcely warm to the touch and can consequently be situated in spots that would be no-go to hot halogens. As a consequence they are easy to conceal and set up so as to reflect light off quite close surfaces. This tones down their bright, white and focused nature and results in pleasingly warm, diffuse light that contains hints of whatever color they are rebounded off.

To discover more about this topic, I recommend these articles that further cover 12 volt lights and MR16 LED replacements.