“LED” stands for light-emitting diode, the technology behind LED lighting. When asking “what is LED lighting?” you usually want to know the difference between LED bulbs and traditional incandescent bulbs.
Incandescent bulbs have a thin metal filament that heats up as electricity passes through it. When heated enough, the filament glows to produce light.
An LED light works by having an electrical current pass through a semiconducting material – the diode. The tiny diodes within an LED bulb cast light when electricity is applied. This technology doesn’t rely on heat to produce light and has greater energy-efficiency than incandescent bulbs.
To light up a room, an incandescent lamp might use 60-watts of electricity, while an LED bulb will produce the same amount of light using about 10-watts.
Energy efficiency is one of the most important LED light advantages, but low maintenance is another great benefit. LEDs have an exceptionally long lifespan of more than 10 years because there is no filament to burn out. As manufacturers work to refine the production process, the upfront costs of LED lighting have come down, contributing to long-term savings.
Another benefit is that LEDs emit almost no heat or UV rays. They are usually not hot to the touch, making them safer to handle than incandescent bulbs. Plus, they can help reduce air conditioning costs and won’t cause nearby fabrics and furniture to fade.
LED lighting comes in many shapes, sizes, colors and temperatures for use throughout the home.
