LED bulbs fit standard light fixtures, and work safely in enclosed spaces. They're available in clear or frosted styles and most standard sizes.
They use less electricity than traditional bulbs, cutting power bills and global-warming carbon emissions. And they reduce waste from the toxic materials used to make traditional bulbs, such as mercury and lead.
Energy Efficiency
LED bulbs run much cooler than traditional bulbs and are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use. This is because they don’t produce as much heat, and the heat they do produce gets pulled away to a built-in thermal sink on the base of the bulb where it can be dissipated safely.
Because they run so much cooler, LED bulbs consume significantly less energy than their tungsten and halogen cousins, with many drawing only 8 to 12 watts for the same brightness. Consumers are used to selecting light bulbs based on their wattage, but you should ignore that number when shopping for an LED bulb—a label will list its lumens instead, which is a better indication of brightness.
Shop for ENERGY STAR-certified LED bulbs to save money on your energy bill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can find these types of bulbs in a variety of fixtures, including recessed lighting, flat panels and outdoor floodlights.
Long Lifespan
While LED bulbs don’t burn out in the traditional sense, they do lose brightness over time. This is due to how they generate light through the process of electroluminescence. Electrons move from an electron-rich side to an electron-deficient one across a p-n junction, causing the material to emit photons.
LED bulbs will last longer if you follow some basic lighting best practices. Keep them in a cool place and make sure they have enough room to dissipate heat. And, remember to turn them off when you’re not using them.
It’s important to understand that the estimated lifespans printed on a manufacturer’s packaging are only indicative. Many factors, such as ambient temperature, usage, and current levels will affect how long a bulb lasts. Many manufacturers include a breakdown of how long the bulb should last for each usage scenario on their packaging to help consumers better gauge its actual lifespan. Many manufacturers also add a “L70” rating to their listings, which indicates that the bulb will start to fade when it produces 70% of its original luminosity.
Dimming Capability
The dimming capability of LED bulbs is an area that can be confusing. Unlike filament incandescent bulbs that can be dimmed by turning down the voltage that heats up the wire, LEDs are solid-state products with built in circuitry (called a driver) that converts high-voltage AC current into low-voltage DC current to drive the diodes that produce light.
These drivers can be more complex than the old filament ones, and not all LED bulbs are compatible with every dimmer switch. Using a non-dimmable bulb with a dimmer can create buzzing or flickering, and at worst it could damage the bulb.
Check the packaging of your bulbs or product listings to make sure they are designated as "dimmable." Also, look for a list of dimmer switches that are compatible with the bulb, or contact the manufacturer for more information.
Color Temperature
Unlike the familiar light bulb that glows through incandescence, LED bulbs emit light through digital electroluminescence. As such, the bulb's color is a function of its "color temperature," which does not refer to how hot it feels when turned on but rather how warm or cool the bulb's light appears.
A bulb's color temperature, which is also referred to as CCT in lighting jargon, is determined by its place on the Kelvin (K) scale. The higher the rating, the closer a bulb's light will resemble natural daylight.
Lights on the lower end of the scale tend to be warmer and are often recommended for use in bedrooms, living areas and kitchens. Meanwhile, lights with a higher rating, which are typically characterized as blue in tone, are ideal for tasks that require focus and alertness like work areas, garages, warehouses and display cases. Many bulbs allow for multiple color temperatures, meaning they can be used to create both warmer and cooler settings.