Are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) also very efficient?
LEDs are another potentially efficient alternative to traditional pear-shaped incandescent bulbs, however LEDs for general lighting purposes are a new technology that is still being developed. LEDs are part of a family of ‘solid state’ electronic components that only allow electricity to flow in one direction. They have the distinctive side effect of creating light when current is passed through them. LEDs are currently used in countless applications including lighting displays in household appliances, mobile phone screens and traffic signals. Many lighting companies are developing LED bulbs for direct replacement into a range of fittings – some are already available, while many more are expected to be available in the next few years. The benefits of LEDs include lifetimes of up to 100,000 hours and potentially very high efficiency levels. While some general lighting LEDs have issues with poor light quality and low light output, they are rapidly improving. The main barrier for the wide
