Light emitting diode, or LED, lights are the next phase in the evolution of artificial lighting. The process started with camp fires; the next step was candles. The big leap came when Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879. Since 1879 a vast number of improvements have been made to develop better lighting. The most popular light for industrial and commercial use is the fluorescent lamp.
Fluorescent lamps work by an electrical current passing through the lamp's electrodes vaporizing the liquid mercury. The mercury with its electrons excited release energy in the form of photons when the electrons return to their original level. The photons that are produced then hit the phosphorus coating of the tube which releases more light photons.
The downside of fluorescent tubes is the mercury content. Mercury is a well known neurotoxin and products that contain it have to be properly disposed of. Recent developments by manufacturers , i.e. Superior Lamp, EverLast, and General Electric's Ecolux line, have made tubes that are landfill disposable.
LED lights do not have mercury problem. They run by a semi-conductor (diode) with extra electrons coming in contact with a semi-conductor with extra holes with extra positive charged particles. The result is the release of light. LED lights are full color spectrum which is easy on the eyes when doing a lot of reading. The most important asset LED's have is their low power usage. Replacing fluorescent tubes with LED tubes will cut power use in half. For example a 16 watt LED tube will replace a 32 watt fluorescent tube.
The next light evolutionary step is companies making LED tubes to replace fluorescent tubes. These are a two companies in particular that produce LED tubes Lights Orient from China and TEU Services from Texas. Round incandescent shaped LED lamps are available for a viable replacement for standard incandescent bulbs and spiral fluorescents. The round LED's are in 3 watt and 5 watt to replace 20 and 40 watt incandescents or 9 watt spirals. LED lights are also available for replacing high bay metal halide or high pressure sodium lamps.
Now that the technology is available it is the responsibility of the people to choose to use safer and energy efficient products. Imagine how bright the casinos in Reno would shine with LED's in place.