With the ubiquitous incandescent light bulb passing 130 years in age, we should have an economical and efficient replacement by now. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) boast higher efficiency but include toxic mercury. Other candidates such as exotic RF plasma bulbs have been investigated for non-commercial use, but they have issues as well.
Previous LED replacement fixture (bulb) designs have been relatively expensive and suffer from poor life spans, even though they have excellent efficiency. But as other market forces beyond efficiency drive the selection of next-generation residential light sources, LEDs are standing their ground.
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