LEDs are far more better than incandescents

LEDs are by far more efficient than incandescents and even CFLs while being used as a light source, but what about over their entire life cycle? Until a recent study, there had been doubts that the technology could claim the title of "most efficient" once you factored in production.

A new study conducted by Siemens Corporate Technology Centre for Eco Innovations and released by lighting company Osram claims to put those doubts to rest. The study compared the life cycle energy use of one 25,000-hour LED lamp to that of 2.5 10,000-hour CFLs and 25 1,000-hour incandescents.

The report states that the energy needed to make, ship, install, use and then recycle LEDs was about equal to CFLs and much less than incandescents. While the report didn't go into the technical details of the study or release specific numbers, Osram says it will release all of that information in the fall with support by three independent analysts.