LEDs light the way; top points on light emitting diodes.

They're used as the light sources in traffic signals, automotive brake lights, and animated signage (think the eight-story Nasdaq billboard in Times Square); and the list of possible applications for light emitting diodes (LEDs) just keeps growing.

Unlike incandescents and fluorescents (where light is emitted from a vacuum tube), LEDs are small, solid-state lamps that produce light by passing current across layers of a semi-conductor material held inside a package. The semi-conducting material converts electricity into light with virtually no radiant heat.

Until about 10 years ago, LEDs were available only in colors. Now, with the advent of the white LED, these lamps have moved into the commercial building marketplace, adding pathway and step lighting, spot and task lighting, and cove lighting to the expanding list of uses. And now that warm white LEDs are available in shades matching incandescent light color, the two can be integrated without anyone noticing the difference. Although white LEDs aren't yet ideal for general and overhead lighting situations, they're definitely headed in that direction.

When making lighting decisions, both now and in the future, keep these LED points in mind.

LED Advantages

* Lamps demonstrate quick response time when power is applied or taken away.

* There's no need for filters or gels to create colors. "If you use a 1,000-watt traditional halogen light source and put a blue filter in front to aim a spotlight at [someone] on [a] stage, to get the same blue amount of light with LEDs, you only need 65 watts vs. the 1,000 watts. That's just a huge energy savings," says Fran Douros, Americas marketing manager, San Jose, CA-based Lumileds.

* They're efficient. Today, the efficiency of a high-flux LED can be as much as 24 lumens/watt--incandescent bulbs reach maybe 12 or 13 lumens/watt, according to industry sources.

* Lamps withstand shock, vibration, frequent on/off switching, and environmental/mechanical shocks.

* Compact shape allows for new fixture applications. "In the future, you're going to see a lot more construction that has embedded light sources in it--ceiling tiles, wall panels, floors, and so on. That's a phenomenal new thing, because it's not something you could do with other sources. It's not all about replacing a bulb; it's about changing the way you light space," says Makarand Chipalkatti, North American director of lamp modules, Danvers, MA-based OSRAM SYLVANIA.