Getting the green light: LEDs can provide a viable lighting alternative

"It's part of the green solution." That's what Larry Schumer, owner of blueStar Lighting, says when describing LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. LED lights are not only energy efficient, they are environmentally friendly, because they contain no harmful chemicals, such as mercury in fluorescent bulbs.

Schumer's relationship with LED lighting began when he started a small motorcycle—accessory business, Rider West. His desire to buy small LED lights directly from a Chinese manufacturer sparked an interest in another product, white LED lighting, and its green potential. BlueStar Lighting soon followed.

To showcase the new technology, Schumer outfitted a local business, The Record Collector in Sugar House, with LED lighting. The LED bulbs, with their distinctive dot pattern, seem almost arty in comparison to the look of the old fluorescent lights. Owner Dave Hansen said customers comment on the unusual look but often don't notice a difference in the light quality. Hansen likes the way the light beams are focused and the fact that it seems a little brighter in the store. The installation is relatively new, but he's looking forward to a real impact on his electric bill with the more energy-efficient bulbs.

Although the initial investment for LED lighting is significant ($50 per bulb, compared with $8-$12 for a fluorescent bulb), the payoff in switching to green lighting can be significant to not only individual homes, but also large companies. A business with 1,000 bulbs could save as much as $10,000 a year on energy costs and approximately $90,000 over the lifetime of the bulbs, according to Schumer.

How light occurs

Light is the energy released from an atom when the electrons become excited. Electrons circle the nucleus of the atom, and their orbital distance is determined by their energy level. The more energized, the farther their orbit. As their energy level diminishes, they drop into a lower orbit, releasing light in the form of photons.

LED lighting

In an LED, electrons move across a diode and fall from a conductive band (energized orbit) to a lower orbit, and in the process, release photons, as illustrated above. All diodes release light, but only diodes composed of certain materials will produce light visible to the human eye.

History

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, were invented by H.J. Round in 1907. The technology remained dormant until 1962, when Nick Holonyak at General Electric used the red lights in appliances and electronic indicators.