LED stands for light-emitting diode and is a still-developing technology that may some day completely replace the incandescent bulb for lighting purposes. LEDs are commonly used in traffic lights and Christmas lights because of their long lifespan and low electricity requirements. LED bulbs are also very responsive and can light up to full brightness within microseconds.

Benefits LEDs are more beneficial than incandescent bulbs and even compact fluorescent bulbs for a number of reasons. They use significantly less power than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. They also last long: according to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs last around 25 times as long as incandescent bulbs. Unlike compact fluorescent bulbs, LEDs do not contain mercury so they pose less of an environmental hazard when they burn out.

History The first LED was created in 1907 by a British scientist H. J. Round. The first practical use was developed in 1962 by G.E. employee Nick Holonyak, Jr., who developed a red LED that could be used as indicators on phones, televisions and calculators. However, these first commercial LED flood light were not bright enough to be used to light a room. As the technology developed, more colors were made available. Today, only white proves a difficult color to create and the "white" LED lights produce more of a blueish white color that has limited LED implementation.

Considerations LEDs are a great way to save money on cooling and electricity costs. LEDs do not produce as much heat when in use so you will reduce your air-conditioning bills during the warm months. LEDs also burn out slowly so you can see the light intensity decreasing. This way you know when it needs to be replaced rather than incandescent bulbs, which burn out suddenly.

Function LED lights have several functional advantages over other bulbs. First, LEDs are solid-state components. This means that they do not require any moving parts. In addition, LEDs are much more durable than traditional glass bulbs. Finally, the lifespan of an LED bulb is not cut by switching it on and off frequently like incandescent bulbs are.

Warning LEDs are more expensive to purchase than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. The performance of an LED can be decreased if the surrounding temperatures are high, which can limit its use in cars or hospitals. Moreover, the light produced can only be shined in one direction and at a much more narrow angle than conventional light sources.