1. The Advantages and Disadvantages of LED Light Bulbs
As the compact florescent light bulb has started to rapidly replace the aging incandescent
light bulb in recent years, a different sort of bulb is emerging which will replace them both.
The light emitting diode (LED) bulb has features that make it a better technology.
Whereas the incandescent bulb generates light inside
a vacuum and the compact florescent bulb does so ins-
ide a tube, the LED is referred to as solid-state lighting.
It's solid state because it uses solid matter, a semico-
nductor, to generate light.
The semiconductor is made with both a positively and
negatively charged element. The positive layer has s-
mall openings for the free electrons from the negative
component to pass through. When an electrical charge is applied to the semiconductor, a
circulation of excited electrons passing through the holes emits a light.
The two excellent advantages of LED light bulbs are their really long life and energy
efficiency. They only use almost one tenth as much electricity as traditional bulbs and
therefore offer enormous financial savings in energy costs and a decreased carbon footprint.
This actually makes them both cost efficient and eco friendly.
Their solid state construction and really low heat emissions give them a much longer
lifespan. LED light bulbs greatly outlast even compact florescent bulbs and can easily last
for a decade or longer in normal use. This not just saves on the cost of the bulb, but it also
saves time and replacement costs. Much better suited to survive rough handling and out of
doors conditions, a LED light bulb could be relied on to work when required most.
Since they reach their full brightness nearly instantly and are actually mercury free, LEDs
clear up a couple of main problems that compact fluorescent bulbs have (mercury content
and lag time in reaching total brightness).
LED light bulbs are designed to emit a very directional light so the light can be aimed exactly
where it's needed. Additionally, their light is nearer to the colour of daylight, which
research indicate helps people stay alert.
Until recent changes in the technology, the construction of the LED caused a lot of the light
to be trapped inside. This and the bluish light they often emitted brought about a dimmer
light that made LEDs unattractive for home use.

2. LEDs are now much brighter though and may emit the exact same soft, white light regular
bulbs do. One drawback with LEDs that has not been solved yet is cost. While their power
savings and really long life mean LEDs are cost-effective and save money in the long term,
they're very unlikely to achieve mass consumer acceptance until their costs come more in
line with other kinds of bulbs. Though their costs are coming down, LED light bulbs are still
comparatively costly.
Once their costs come down more, LEDs are likely to become the standard and dominate
lighting unless a greater technology appears.