LEDs illuminate houses and lighten energy footprints
LED lights in cars, flat screen televisions and mobile telephones are today enjoying high levels of attention because they play a significant role in design and functionality. LED lighting systems have great potential for growth are those that provide brightness within buildings and outdoors. According to the market research company Strategies Unlimited, which specialises in LEDs, the worldwide LED market volume grew by 9.8 per cent from 11.3 billion US dollars in 2010 to 12.5 billion US dollars in 2011. Here, LED lighting systems constituted 9.3 billion US dollars, a rise compared to 2010 of 45 per cent. So in comparison to other lighting systems, LED lights had in 2010 a market share of 1.4 per cent. According to information from the market research and consultancy firm Display Search, their market penetration rate is to grow to 9.3 per cent by 2014. A driving factor for future growth are the measures taken by governments, who are aiming to reduce electricity use by lighting systems. For example, to save energy, almost all conventional incandescent bulbs are banned in Europe from 2012.
Compared to a 40 Watt incandescent bulb, an 8 Watt LED bulb provides the same brightness. However, LED bulbs require around 80 percent less electricity than comparable incandescent bulbs. They also save energy in their manufacturing. LEDs also perform best compared to halogen and energy-saving bulbs, although these also use less energy than incandescent bulbs. Energy-saving bulbs use 50 per cent more electricity than LEDs and halogen bulbs a whopping 400 per cent.
Meanwhile, lighting LEDs have developed to the extent that they can last 35 years or longer. To do this they must be installed correctly and be integrated into the lighting system with the appropriate components. Care must be taken here that the components themselves have a long lifespan and the entire system enables the optimum operation of the LEDs. Extreme heat or high voltage peaks can damage LEDs. Despite operating with little electricity, developers must reduce the amount of heat that is created. Heat sinks in the sockets, a heat-dissipating design and the use of heat-dissipating materials can provide for this. At low temperatures, LED lighting facilities work more efficiently and damage to sockets is avoided.