A new light is about to break on the horizon of residential illumination: light emitting diodes, or LEDs.

LEDs have been used for years in indicator, electronic readout, and signage applications, as well as in the theatre industry. More recently, LEDs are increasingly used as architectural accents in high-end homes. But in the not-so-distant future, LED technology will conquer general home lighting, according to industry experts.

The key to LEDs achieving general-use status will be manufacturers' ability to develop a high-efficacy white light with warm tones. The industry is trying to replicate the glow of incandescent light, which is the most desirable light.

LEDs have great potential to close the gap between the efficiency of fluorescents and the warmth of incandescents, according to Ron Mascenti, marketing director for enLux LED. LEDs provide warm white light that uses less energy than incandescents, but most still cannot match the efficacy of cool-white LEDs--which tend to have a blue or green cast--or of many fluorescents, lighting experts say. But the technology continues to improve.

Long Life
In addition to energy efficiency, LED lighting offers several other benefits that leave incandescents in the dark, with possible lifespans of 50,000 to 100,000 hours.

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