In the last few weeks, it’s become clear that some serious action is about to go down in an arena that can lead the way in the fight against climate change: green energy. Three major lighting companies – General Electric, Osram Sylvania and Philips – have announced plans to start selling consumer-friendly LED light bulbs. Sexy it ain’t, but this is a positive development – one that you, the consumer, will probably hear a lot more about in the coming years.
LED stands for light emitting diode. They’re already used in things like Christmas lights and flashlights. Now they’re trying to supplant compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, as the best alternative to the traditional, energy-hogging incandescent bulb.
As it so happens, LEDs probably are the best alternative. While CFLs do last for years, GE says its new home LED could last from a child’s birth to the time she goes away to college. LEDs reach full light instantly, whereas CFLs take some time to warm up. LEDs don’t contain mercury, whereas CFLs have a very small amount of mercury (and, therefore, need to go to a special recycling facility when they finally burn out). LEDs are usually dimmable, while not all CFLs are. Meanwhile, both kinds of bulbs are highly energy-efficient, using as little as 25% of the energy of a traditional bulb. (more…)
