Will LEDs replace traditional sources of light?

摘要

Here's a light source with the potential to reduce the nation's energy costs by 6-7 percent, to reimagine the light fixture as a highly compact and dynamic element, to keep 2 to 4 tons of mercury out of landfills and incinerators each year, and to give building owners lighting that doesn't require lamp replacement for up to a decade or longer. In recent years, light-emitting diode (LED) technology transcended its traditional stronghold-saturated colors in indicators, exit signs and so-called architainment applications, representing most LED products sold today-and began offering viable white light options in niche architectural applications, such as lighting for outdoor and confined indoor spaces. As the technology has advanced, applications have expanded to include downlights, undercabinet, shelf, signage, facade, outdoor area, wall washing, cove, task, refrigerated display case, step/wall, electrical candle, sconce, handrail and marker lighting as well as retrofit replacement lamps. It's easy to forget that it was only a few years ago that we started to realize LEDs were not just for traffic lights. Today's LEDs offer many advantages, including low power, no breakable filament or arc tube that can break, long service life, small size, saturated colors, dimmability, no catastrophic failures, a period between failures of up to a decade or longer, no mercury content, and no radiated heat included in the light transmission. Now, the technology seems poised to compete for general lighting applications, but are LEDs ready to take this major leap?