The NS-Caffe Tech Blog

The current trend in the lighting industry is replacing traditional light sources with LED (light emitting diode) technology. LED light bulbs are versatile and feature numerous benefits to the consumer and the environment. The technology can get complicated to understand, but the idea centers around small semiconductor chips that convert electricity into light. Although the technology was first discovered in the early 1900’s, it wasn’t until the 1960’s that scientists began trying to utilize LED technology in everyday settings. The first LEDs came into use in seven-segment displays and expensive lab and electronics test equipment. They have come a long way from these settings, and are now used in varying applications in both commercial and residential applications. They offer not only cost savings, but a more energy efficient way and environmentally friendly method for lighting solutions. Along with the versatility of this lighting technology, more and more innovations have been discovered placing this non-traditional light in different applications inside and outside the home.

Today, LED light sources are found inside the home, being applied to everyday appliances. Consumers are replacing traditional light bulbs, found in appliances such as refrigerators and fans with LED appliance light bulbs. When, you think about it, LED light sources only makes sense for appliances such as refrigerators. A typical incandescent appliance light bulb uses 60 watts of power and converts electricity to not only light but also heat. LED lighting converts the electricity to light, giving off less heat. After all, you wouldn’t want a light bulb inside your refrigerator giving off heat. That would defeat the purpose. Another common household use for LED light bulbs is in ceiling fans. LED ceiling fan bulbs are more durable than traditional incandescent and last longer, reducing maintenance costs of replacement. Similar to LED appliance light bulbs, you won’t have to worry about this bulb giving off any heat as it twirls around your ceiling.

Outside of the more practical use of indoor LED light bulbs in appliances, come LED lights used for decoration. With many colors across the spectrum to choose from, home decorators can use LED light sources to bring some fun flair to indoor lighting. LED string and rope lights can be placed on staircase banisters and countertops. LED strip lights are used for inside cabinets and security lighting in restrooms for middle of the night ventures.

A different use for an indoor LED light comes in the form of the LED grow light bulb. Grow light bulbs are used to grow vegetation indoors, where it can develop without harmful UV rays from the sun outdoors. Consumers also use grow light bulbs during the winter months, when the ground is frozen and natural light is oftentimes sparse. A disadvantage of growing a garden indoors is the high cost it takes to power the indoor grow lights. These LED grow lights utilize less energy, give off less heat, and produce an ideal light spectrum for growing indoor vegetation over traditional grow lights. Consumer’s will save money as less power is required and will help the environment by reducing their carbon footprint. With these benefits in mind, using an LED grow light bulb will enhance consumer’s harvest without sacrificing yield.

LED light sources are also found outside of the home. Many consumers have purchased LED lamps to place around outside decks and fire pits. Others have used LED landscape lighting in their front yards to highlight the sidewalk and driveways. One of the most common uses for outdoor lighting comes by way of flood lights, which are an important safety feature many consumers use to light up their home at night. Flood light bulbs also come in handy when having an after dark yard party, where extra light is needed. Outside lighting is generally used to cover a large area, thus needing a large power supply to provide the required light. LED flood light bulbs use less power and have a longer lifespan. Also, traditional flood lights tend to give off a lot of heat due to the large amount of power being used. As mentioned before, LEDs convert the electricity into more light and less heat, reducing risk of burn injury.

LED light sources continue to take the lighting industry by storm. New applications and uses for light emitting diode technology continue to be developed on a daily basis. One this is for sure, the technology has come a long way from the days of using LED’s strictly in scientist labs of the 60’s. We can only sit back and wait to see what happens to LEDs over the next 50 years.