The Future is Bright for LED Lighting

For many reasons – including aesthetics and financial – LED lighting has become increasingly popular.

LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is a technology that produces light differently than an incandescent light bulb. Incandescent bulbs contain a metal filament, glowing and producing light when heated up. LEDs, on the other hand, use semi-conductors, expending a fraction of the energy to produce the same amount of light. In fact, compared with incandescent bulbs, LED lights can reduce electricity consumption up to 85 percent.

While more expensive, LEDs are much more cost-effective. Although a100-lumen Edison bulb costs approximately $1 while a 100-lumen LED is roughly $25, an LED light will last 75 times longer which means you would have to purchase 75 Edison bulbs in the period of time an LED light would last.

While LED lights come in many shapes and sizes – including standard bulbs and continuous light strips – LED bulb wattages are measured differently than incandescent bulbs. For example, a 14-watt LED is equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent bulb.  This represents a substantial savings – nearly 85%.

With the proper engineering and coatings, LED lights produce a whiter light comparable to incandescent lighting, without the artificial blue light emitted by  fluorescent lights.  Using the innovative combination of various colored LEDs, beautiful and dramatic color changing effects can be produced from a single light source.  In fact, LEDs can produce nearly any color of light – creating fabulous glows in bookcases, under cabinets or in display areas.  Their ability to accentuate the richness of fabrics and finishes brings a whole new dimension to interior design.

Because of its energy savings and vast color spectrum, LED technology has also revolutionized both television and theatrical lighting, as it eliminates heat loads and maintenance costs.

I am very fond of using LED lights in interiors because the accessibility of hundreds of colors is as simple as sliding a few levers.  Subtle changes in lighting hues can make a dramatic difference in an interior, adding interest, dimension and depth.  There is no question in my mind that LED lighting is the future – so now is the time for us all to embrace it!