Switching to more efficient, longer-lasting light bulbs may not seem to be that much of a big deal. Yet in reality it is. The important factors that we need to consider in this context is that the net effects resulting from enormous numbers of small things; which when added up, tend to completely swamp the overall effects of a few big changes.

To illustrate this point let us use this incremental cumulative approach to quickly examine and assess the potential energy savings and environmental benefits that could be delivered from the use of vast numbers of small inexpensive long lasting energy efficient light sources (the LEDs).

Underlying Causes and Complicating Factors

There is no doubt about it; we humans are heavily reliant upon our sense of sight.

In addition; all of the health authorities and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) gurus are constantly bombarding us with information designed to elevate public awareness concerning the critical role that adequate illumination of our homes and places of work has to play in better overall visual health of individuals and the community as a whole.

It would seem that in order to stave off the onset of diminished visual capabilities resultant from wear and tear, years of overuse in poorly lit environments and the aging process itself we tend to pick up on the “better/more lighting” aspect of the message. As a direct result of human behavioral tendencies the average person will elect to use the simplest, cheapest and least invasive of a range of solutions.

No points for guessing that; until now the simplest, cheapest and least intrusive solution is to simply turn on more lights. The next is to install more powerful light bulbs. The problem with this logic is a total absence of environmental and energy conservation considerations.

Current Uses of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are currently used in the manufacturing of bicycle lights, mobile phones, camera flashes, computers, all-purpose indicators, toys, electronic indicators and Christmas lights because they are relatively cheap due to their size and brightness compared to normal bulbs.

The Technology

With funding provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, researchers at Cambridge University have been able to develop cheap, 100,000 hour life expectancy, mercury-free LED light bulbs.

Gallium Nitride – These new LEDs are made using the man-made semiconductor gallium nitride. Up until now the biggest hurdle for producing high quality gallium nitride LEDs has been the exorbitant cost of the gallium nitride. This is because the gallium nitride was grown on sapphire wafers. This new technology uses gallium nitride that is grown on the considerably less expensive silicon wafers.

RFMD – RFMD; a manufacturer based in County Durham has already begun work on the production of prototypes and have said that they believe the first of these new LED light bulbs should be appearing on the retail market in 2 to 3 years (sometime in the year 2011)

The Benefits

Instant Illumination – Unlike the current crop of eco-bulbs these new LED bulbs fully illuminate instantly

Flicker-Free – The new LEDs do not flicker. Flickering light bulbs; especially subliminal flicker, which has for quite some time now been closely linked to or the causative of migraine headaches and epileptic seizures

Long Life – The new LED light bulbs are rated as having an average working life of 100,000 hours (over 60 years of normal use) which is 10 times that of the current generation of eco-friendly light bulbs.

Improved Efficiency – These new bulbs are 12 times more efficient than tungsten bulbs and three times more efficient than current fluorescent bulbs.

No Mercury – The new bulbs are totally mercury free; which is an environmental benefit of considerable significance. It also makes their eventual disposal far less damaging to the environment.

Fiscal Savings – This lighting technology could conservatively slash the average household’s lighting bill by up to three-quarters. Business on the other hand could expect to reap lighting bill savings in excess of 20% of their current lighting expenditure. It is estimated that the retail price of these new LEDs will be around $2 per unit.

Conclusion

Energy efficient, long life expectancy, instant on, environmentally friendly and very economical from a budgetary perspective this new technology certainly has a lot of promise.