LEDs are one example of the growing Solid State Lighting (SSL) industry. Obviously, LEDs are by far the most recognized SSL name.

It is not whether LEDs are good or bad. In fact, there is increasing research which indicates LEDs are the future of energy efficient lighting. The key word in that last sentence is ‘future’. The SSL industry is in it infancy and still must overcome several key challenges before the technology can compete with CFLs.

LEDs were first developed to produce colored light – in fact color is what the LED does best. Manufacturers have a long way to go before ‘white’ light LEDs can compete with CFLs. Right now white LEDs produce about half the light output per watt as CFLs although they are rapidly approaching and should exceed CFLs in the near future. Producing white light (equivalent to CFLs) has been and continues to be a big challenge for LED manufacturers – specifically with respect to color consistency.

In very basic terms today you can walk into any big box retailer and be confident (at least with Energy Star labeled products) you won’t turn them on at home only to find some producing pinkish-white light while others produce bluish-white light. You cannot say the same right now for the large majority of LEDs.

LEDs are extremely sensitive to heat. In fact LED’s are happiest when they are coldest – you will likely see LEDs taking over the freezers in our local grocery stores before long. Not only must manufacturers figure out how to produce white light, they must also figure out how to keep them cool.

I hope this helps explain where the LED industry is today. With zero mercury, LEDs certainly have an extremely bright future (pun intended).

So you are aware, the big three manufacturers (Philips, Osram Sylvania, and GE) are have been making a big push to remove as much mercury as possible from CFL lamps and are having very good success. You cannot always find these in your local big box retailer but they are out there.