LED lights are becoming more popular and there's a lot of media hype about them. Yes they are very energy efficient and also very expensive.

The US Department of Energy thinks that one day they'll replace existing incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. However, that does not mean you should run out and replace every light bulb inside and outside your house with a LED light. At least not yet.

Our checklist should help you see whether LEDs make sense for you right now.

• Ask how many watts the fixture consumes and how many lumens of light it produces and compare it the sources below. -Incandescent lamps produce 12-15 lumens per watt,
  -Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) 50 lumens per watt, and
  -LEDs produce 30-35 lumens per watt

The above comparisons may not apply when you are buying task lighting. LEDs may be able to provide enough light on the task, even though the total lumens are less than comparable incandescent or fluorescent sources. This is because LEDs emit light in a more focused manner and don't spread it in all directions like incandescent and CFL bulbs.

Some of the newer LED products may say they produce more lumens per watt. Be skeptical of any outrageous claims and read the fine print. If it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't.

• Evaluate the cost
  LEDs are going to cost about $50 per lumen compared to $1 per lumen of a 75-watt incandescent light bulb. LEDs will only make sense if you need lights on most of the time, or they are in a hard-to-reach area. If you factor in the labor cost to change such a light, then a LED light might be competitive.

• Determine what a LED light can do well
  LEDs are very durable and if you have a situation that requires this type of light then a LED may be the answer.

Security LED lighting in hard to reach places that require a ladder may make a lot of sense. Especially if you combining LED lights with a solar lighting system.

LEDs also make sense for deck and pathway lighting. Again, if they are integrated with a solar system, you would not have to run wire from the house.

LED lights appear to be very well suited for reef aquariums and tanks. The LED lights do not produce heat and the light is on the blue or cooler side.

According to many aquarium shops, LED lights will eventually replace Metal Halide and Fluorescent lighting for the Aquarium Reef Tanks.

• Check the color of white LED Lights
  If you've ever purchased fluorescent light bulbs, you know that they come in cool white and warm white varieties. While white LEDs are not classified as cool or warm white, they tend to emit “cooler” and bluer light. Be sure to take this into consideration especially for indoor applications.

• Get a sample of the LED light if possible, so you can evaluate it yourself
  Given the high cost of LED lighting, see if you can get a sample to try out at home, especially if you are buying it for task lighting purposes. If you do buy a LED, make sure you read the store's return policy before you make your purchase.