LED is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States.  Residential LEDs -- especially ENERGY STAR rated products -- use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.

• Light Source: LEDs are the size of a fleck of pepper, and can emit light in a range of colors. A mix of red, green, and blue LEDs is sometimes used to make white light.

• Direction: LEDs emit light in a specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors and diffusers that can trap light. This feature makes LEDs more efficient for many uses such as recessed downlights and task lighting. With other types of lighting, the light must be reflected to the desired direction and more than half of the light may never leave the fixture.

• Heat: LEDs emit very little heat. In comparison, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat and CFLs release about 80% of their energy as heat.

• Lifetime: LED lighting products typically last much longer than other lighting types.  A good quality LED bulb can last 3 to 5 times longer than a CFL and 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

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As lighting is one of the top three energy consumers in a typical building, converting to LED will result in substantial savings.  The technology is mature and inexpensive.