Looking for a new approach to lighting? Lighting emitting diodes, or LEDs may be just the solution. If you think of Christmas tree lights and yard lighting when you think of LEDs, think again. The new technology LEDs are taking the lead in efficient and effective lighting. The latest LEDs in the market place today are very competitive with conventional lighting.

This new technology retains the benefit of the old style LEDs (Christmas tree lights) and increases the amount of illumination from each LED. These LEDs now can emit over 50 lumens per watt. With 15 LEDs they have the same brightness as a standard 100 Watt incandescent light! The future, from a lighting prospective, will look drastically different with this new technology and as a bonus home owners and companies will save money on electricity bills.

The LED technology is rapidly developing and improving. The advantages of LEDs are as varied as the applications themselves.

The main advantage is energy efficiency, an incandescent desk lamp draws about 50 watts of power whereas a LED desk lamp will use 2 or 4 watts of power.

LEDs are now available in a variety of colors including "Warm White" which has a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) and an inviting warm light. Many residential under cabinet applications dictate the use of Warm White light. By using the directed light and increasing the utilization factor, these under cabinet lights decrease the overall electricity draw significantly. There is no lead used in the manufacturing of LEDs. This is an example of an Environmentally Friendly Solution.

The new light emitting diode technology solves maintenance problems. For example, a specialized LED called the LUXEON LED is used in antenna tower light beacons. The lifetime of the LEDs (100,000 hours) is a significant benefit. The LUXEON LEDs retain over 90% of their brightness over their lifetime contrasting conventional LEDs. Typically, it can cost thousands of dollars in labor costs to replace an incandescent antenna tower light. With LEDs this cost is eliminated.

Outperform incandescent lighting in art galleries and wineries too. LEDs do not emit UV (ultra violet radiation). This means that the wine or art is not adversely affected by the damaging effects of standard light bulb. In fact, the Mona Lisa is currently illuminated with high powered LEDs.

LEDs are also the perfect choice for solar powered lighting. LEDs offer up to 50 lumens/watt of light energy. In contrast to other lighting solutions LEDs are directional and therefore far more efficient than conventional lighting getting the light where it is needed.