Houses and homes are changing beyond recognition these days, and there are bigger innovations driving that change than lightbulbs. New building materials, technologies, smart 'home computers' and other weird and wonderful advances are reshaping the way we think about our homes. Although LED lighting is a small part of this change, it isactually a very relevant part which is leading to some exciting new possibilities.
For one thing, LED is a lean technology. A classic 80 watt bulb gives out as much light as an LED that uses only a very small, single-digit fraction of that power. As our lighting systems become increasingly dominated by LED technologies - and they will be - the power that lighting our homes consumes is far less. This means that, for example, a solar panel that might once have provided the power to light a room can now light a whole house. It also means that, hand in hand with new power-efficient units, our energy use will go right down. Further technologies like solar heating can mean that even as oil and gas prices rise, our energy bills shouldn't.
There are some great ways in which the humble LED can reshape our living environment, too. An LED light is different in its characteristics to a bulb, typically taking up less space and being much more customisable. Like the advent of more flexible structural materials and breathable concrete, it affords us the opportunity to think again about the design and style of our homes. I fashionable hotspots like London and Paris, LEDs and other 'smart' materials are allowing interior designers to really tear up the rulebook.
Designers will invariably enjoy the chance to try new ideas, but homes are ultimately for living in. LEDs again offer some real advantages for homeowners in terms of comfort and liveability. An LED lighting system can produce far more 'kind' light than most bulbs in use at present. They can produce more atmospheric lighting, superior dimmers and different light 'temperatures'. You can have a cool, crisp bathroom light and a warm, daylight-mimicking sitting room light. This isn't just a lot of fun. Although we are only now able to influence - and therefore appreciate - the kind of light we have in our homes, it is actually one of the most fundamental elements of our surroundings.
The use of 'daylight' style LEDs is of particular interest. This is a more healthy form of lighting, with studies indicating time and again that the harsh unnatural light produced by many types of bulbs is not very kind to the eye. More natural light allows the eye to work less hard and can contribute to a person's overall health.
There are also implications for our sleep routines. The unnatural lighting of the past has been linked to sleep deprivation and certainly to difficulties having a sound night's sleep. Creating a softer nighttime environment helps the body to shut itself down for the night.
Putting all of these little innovations together won't change the world, but LEDs are certainly offering us the chance to make our own little spots that bit more comfortable and liveable. And that's not bad for a change in lightbulbs.