Light-emitting diodes, known as LEDs, have existed for more than40 years, but only recent innovation and technology advances have made them bright enough to provide useful lighting in commercial and residential settings. Because the special semiconductor chips are made from ultra-high-purity materials under tightly controlled conditions, LEDs today:- Are able to sustain high light output under demanding operating conditions.

Do not burn out instantaneously like normal light bulbs, but rather degrade over a period of many years or even decades of continuous operation, thus enabling nearly maintenance -free operation. Are extremely efficient at converting electric power into visible light (currently up to 5x more efficient than standard light bulbs) as well as producing no infrared light that provides the warming effect experienced with normal filament-type bulbs.