Over the years there have been numerous developments in lighting technology. The latest and most talked about of these is the emergence of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting. You may have heard that using LEDs is very beneficial for both your energy bills and the environment, but you may not exactly understand why. So, let’s take a look. Here are some of the benefits of using LED lighting. Choosing the right lights for your home can save you money and reduce your impact on the environment. Here are some of the benefits of using LED lighting.
What’s So Special About LED Lights?
LED lights are made from a cluster or strip of Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs. There are many characteristics of LED lights that make them far superior to incandescent or fluorescent globes, such as their incredible efficiency and benefits to the environment.
LED lighting is a relatively new and emerging technology. You might have heard a few of their benefits, but here’s the rundown on what makes them so special.
LED, or Light Emitting Diode Lighting, is the latest development in lighting technology that is good for your wallet, as well as the environment.
LED Lights Save Energy
The first thing that is touted about LEDs is their incredible efficiency. In fact, they consume up to 80% less energy than a standard incandescent light bulb. When you consider that lighting takes up around 10% of a homes energy use, you can really see where the savings come in.
They Last Longer
Along with being efficient, LED lights also have an incredibly long lifespan. Incandescent bulbs can often blow after a year, however, LED lights can clock in over 100,000 hours before they need to be changed. Most manufactures claim they will last somewhere between 50,000 and 80,000 hours. That’s 5-10 years!
They Produce Less Heat
Everyone knows how hot an incandescent bulb can get. You’ve probably gone to change a globe to find it scalding hot before having to wait for it to cool down. And no one wants hot globes, especially in the middle of summer.
But why are they so hot? Incandescent lights are incredibly inefficient, 20% of the energy is converted to light, while a massive 80% converts to heat. So how do LED lights compare? Well, only 10%-20% converts to heat and the remaining 80%-90% all to lighting. Energy efficient and cool.
They Are Good For the Environment
There are numerous reasons why LED lights are better for the environment than standard globes. For starters, they use less energy – that’s a given. They also don’t contain some of the harmful chemicals that other globes do. For instance, neon lighting contains mercury, a harmful toxin if not disposed of correctly. As LED lights don’t have to be replaced so often they produce less waste. And on top of this they are made from 100% recyclable materials.
LED Lights Come in a Range of Colours
A criticism of non-traditional lights is that they don’t have the nice warm globe of an old-style incandescent bulb. Some people are taken aback by the harsh, cold lighting of newer style lights, especially where mood is crucial.
However, fear no more, because LED lighting is now widely available in a range of colours, including warm white (similar to an incandescent bulb), a slightly lighter soft white, as well as bright white, which is great for specific tasks.
They Save Money
Yes, as they are a newer technology, LED lighting is more expensive than traditional lighting. However, when you factor in the savings in energy and replacement costs, they will quickly pay back what they owe you.
What are the benefits of LED Lights?
LEDs Have a Longer Lifespan
This is by far the most beneficial aspect of switching over to LED from traditional lighting – they simply last longer. The average LED light will last between 30,000 and 100,000 operating hours or more, which is at least twice as much as most traditional options. The standard incandescent bulb will only last around 1,000 to 2,000 hours. LEDs are different to standard lighting options in that they don’t burn out. Rather the diodes lose their output levels and they simply get dimmer over time.
They Are More Energy Efficient
The other (equally important) benefit of using LED lighting is that they are far more energy-efficient than other options. They require very low amounts of power to operate – between 50% and 90% less energy than standard bulbs. This results in a significantly lower energy bill for you.
They Are Far More Sturdy Than Other Types
Incandescent, fluorescent and halogen and other lighting options require a filament or neon gas to operate. Most are also housed in glass. These components are fragile and tend to break easily if they are bumped or tampered with in any way. LEDs on the other hand are semiconductor devices that convert electricity into energy. Thus they are far more sturdy.
LEDs Are Eco-Friendly
LEDs are the eco-friendly option when it comes to choosing lighting. First of all, they consume far less energy than other options. Secondly, they do not contain any of the toxic chemicals that are found in some lighting. For example, neon lighting contains mercury, which can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of responsibly. LED lights are made from 100% recyclable materials. And, because they last longer, you will not need to replace them as often, which reduces the impacts associated with production.
They Are Safer Than Other Options
LED lights produce very little heat, less than 20% of the energy they consume, whereas typical incandescent lights can convert up to 90% of the energy they consume them directly into heat. Obviously, LEDs are the safer option. Also, because they consume less power they can operate effectively on low-voltage electrical systems, meaning they are less likely to cause any issues in the event of some kind of electrical emergency.
They Are Flexible When It Comes To Design and Configuration
LEDs can be configured in any number of ways to suit the aesthetic and atmospheric needs of a wide variety of spaces.
LEDs produce only a small amount of infrared light and close to no UV emissions, meaning they are ideal in spaces where these factors can have an impact (such as an art gallery or stores with fragile products).
Get in Touch Today
If you have any questions about installing LED lighting in your home or business, or have any other electrical queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with HunterCON Electrical & Air today.
