The U.S. Department of Energy has released analysis findings for markets where light-emitting diodes (LEDs) compete with or are poised to compete with traditional lighting sources (e.g., incandescent and fluorescent). The January 2011 report provides estimates of current energy savings, plus potential savings if these markets switched to LEDs overnight.

Twelve markets were analyzed:

•Four general-illumination applications (PAR, BR, and R replacement lamps; MR16 replacement lamps; 2-foot by 2-foot troffer fixtures; and general service A-type replacement lamps)

•Four outdoor applications (roadway, parking, area and flood, and residential)

•Four applications for consumer electronic displays (televisions, laptops, monitors, and mobile handsets).

LEDs in these markets saved approximately 3.9 terawatt-hours in 2010, equivalent to the electricity needed to power more than a quarter-million average U.S. households. If these markets switched to LEDs overnight, the energy savings would be the equivalent of taking 21 million residential households off the grid based on 2010 performance levels, and taking nearly 32 million households off the grid if LED replacements within each market improve according to DOE's predictions for 2020.

Click here to download the report.