Household Light Bulbs - The Updated Version

Modern household light bulbs have not changed much since Thomas Edison invented them in 1879. Only recently has an updated version of the Edison invention, led household light bulbs, begun to be used in household situations. Prior to this, led bulbs have been used primarily in watches, traffic signals and those huge television screens at a ballpark or concert. Current household uses for LED bulbs include:

• Porches
• Patios
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Entries and Exits
• Difficult to reach locations
• Areas that need illumination 24/7

Regular Household Bulbs - How they Work

The light bulb structure is fairly simple. It is made up of a handful of parts which Edison first put together hundreds of years ago. At the base of the bulb are two metal contacts connected to the ends of an electrical circuit. These two contacts are attached to two stiff wires which in turn are attached to a thin metal filament. The filament and the wires are held in the center of the glass bulb and surrounded by an inert gas. When an electric current flows through the filament and wires from one contact to the other electrons are formed. The electrons release energy which then becomes visible light.

The Difference in LED Fixtures

Light Emitting Diodes, or LED bulbs, are used extensively in modern technologies but are only beginning to see use in the home. Because LED bulbs do not have filaments they last much longer and can be made much smaller. The bulbs are more energy efficient and are generally housed in plastic rather than in glass. Using LED bulbs can save electricity and lower monthly bills. Many discount lighting products are available online including LED fixtures, discount household light bulbs, and fluorescent lamps.