Changes

==Comparison==

==Comparison==

LEDs offer several advantages over their rivals. Fundamentally, they provide a more efficient conversion of electricity (electrons) into light (photons) than their current competitors.  Incandescent lights must consume energy heating the filament to the point that it will glow white-hot.  This heat is typically wasted, since only the light is needed from this fixture.  Fluorescent lights offer a more efficient conversion, but come with their problems as well.  In ideal situations, they are able to last longer and produce less wasted heat.  However, they have several functional issues such as poor operation at low temperatures.  Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) come with even more issues, since they must have a base which generates the electrical pulses which flash through the tube and produce light.  The base tends to overheat itself, especially when it it mounted upside-down or in an enclosure.  They also take time to warm up if they are used in cold environments.  Another concern with these lights is that they contain mercury gas, which is believed to be toxic and must be disposed of carefully.<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref><br />

LEDs offer several advantages over their rivals. Fundamentally, they provide a more efficient conversion of electricity (electrons) into light (photons) than their current competitors.  Incandescent lights must consume energy heating the filament to the point that it will glow white-hot.  This heat is typically wasted, since only the light is needed from this fixture.  Fluorescent lights offer a more efficient conversion, but come with their problems as well.  In ideal situations, they are able to last longer and produce less wasted heat.  However, they have several functional issues such as poor operation at low temperatures.  Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) come with even more issues, since they must have a base which generates the electrical pulses which flash through the tube and produce light.  The base tends to overheat itself, especially when it is mounted upside-down or in an enclosure.  They also take time to warm up if they are used in cold environments.  Another concern with these lights is that they contain mercury gas, which is believed to be toxic and must be disposed of carefully.<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref><br />

LEDs, however, are not significantly sensitive to low temperatures.  They produce more light with less electricity, and if designed properly, will outlast incandescent bulbs significantly.  However, LEDs do still suffer from heat sensitivity, and will burn out if they are operated at high temperatures. This is known as LED meltdown.<ref>http://www.fun-led-light.com/LED_faq.html#LED_meltdown</ref> They also do not offer true white light by themselves. As described above, they must either be made in groups of three to produce a simulated full-spectrum of color, or be made to produce blue or yellow tinted light. Lastly, LED chips themselves are relatively inexpensive, but consumer bulbs can be fairly expensive.<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref>

LEDs, however, are not significantly sensitive to low temperatures.  They produce more light with less electricity, and if designed properly, will outlast incandescent bulbs significantly.  However, LEDs do still suffer from heat sensitivity, and will burn out if they are operated at high temperatures. This is known as LED meltdown.<ref>http://www.fun-led-light.com/LED_faq.html#LED_meltdown</ref> They also do not offer true white light by themselves. As described above, they must either be made in groups of three to produce a simulated full-spectrum of color, or be made to produce blue or yellow tinted light. Lastly, LED chips themselves are relatively inexpensive, but consumer bulbs can be fairly expensive.<ref name="HSW LED 4"/>

===Efficiency===

===Efficiency===

Incandescent: A 60-watt incandescent light bulb draws over $300 worth of electricity per year and provides about 800 lumens.<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref><br />

Incandescent: A 60-watt incandescent light bulb draws over $300 worth of electricity per year and provides about 800 lumens.<ref name="HSW LED 4"/><br />

Fluorescent: An equivalent compact fluorescent uses less than 15 watts and costs only about $75 of electricity per year.<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref><br />

Fluorescent: An equivalent compact fluorescent uses less than 15 watts and costs only about $75 of electricity per year.<ref name="HSW LED 4"/><br />

LED: Offering an equivalent output, LED bulbs draw less than 8 watts of power, costing about $30 per year, and lasting about 50,000 hours<ref name="HSW LED 4">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led4.htm</ref><br />

LED: Offering an equivalent output, LED bulbs draw less than 8 watts of power, costing about $30 per year, and lasting about 50,000 hours<ref name="HSW LED 4"/><br />

==References==

==References==