Frequently Asked Questions
How much energy does light use? Traditional light bulbs burn up a great deal of energy. A full 22% of the total annual electrical consumption in the United States—about 6 quadrillion BTUs—goes to lighting homes, schools, and businesses. Incandescent lamps represent 42% of this demand. For all that power, though, we only get about 12 to 15 lm/W, which does not represent a very efficient system. Hudnut Company stays abreast of the LED technology, and uses LED emitters that represent the best available in efficacy, color rendering, light output, and operating life.
What is an LED? A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it. The light is not particularly bright, but in most LEDs it is monochromatic, occurring at a single wavelength. The output from an LED can range from red (at a wavelength of approximately 700 nanometers) to blue-violet (about 400 nanometers). Some LEDs emit infrared (IR) energy (830 nanometers or longer); such a device is known as an infrared-emitting diode (IRED).
An LED or IRED consists of two elements of processed material called P-type semiconductor s and N-type semiconductor s. These two elements are placed in direct contact, forming a region called the P-N junction . In this respect, the LED or IRED resembles most other diode types, but there are important differences. The LED or IRED has a transparent package, allowing visible or IR energy to pass through. Also, the LED or IRED has a large PN-junction area whose shape is tailored to the application.
Benefits of LEDs and IREDs, compared with incandescent and fluorescent illuminating devices, include:
• Low power requirement : Most types operate on less than four volts.
• High efficiency: Most of the power supplied to an LED or IRED is converted into radiation in the desired form, with minimal heat production. LED light does not produce any radiant heat, making LED lighting a safe choice for heat sensitive displays.
• Long life: When properly installed, an LED or IRED can function for decades.
• No Mercury: Unlike most other lighting products, LED lighting contains no mercury. This year alone, 680 million broken and discarded fluorescent lamps containing 13 tons of mercury will enter the US waste stream.
• Reliability: LED lighting can withstand vibration and impacts that would disable other light forms. Frequent on/off cycling does not shorten the life of LEDs. LED lighting operates in all temperatures (-40 to +180ºF). LED lighting does not “burn out”, though the light output will dim with time, about 30% after 50,000 operating hours, and 50% after 100,000 operating hours.
What is the advantage of using Hudnut LED Lights? Hudnut Company designed and is manufacturing a LED module that can be assembled into an array to meet the both lighting needs and the dimensions of most lighting fixtures. Now you can take advantage of the beneficial attributes of LED lighting in the fixture of your choice and you can decide how much light you really need from that fixture.
Can LED light harm my eyes ? The light output from LEDs is intense enough to injure human eyes at close range. You should never look directly at the LED source from a close range for more than a few seconds. Operators working on LED Light Tables should wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare.
Can I use Hudnut LED lights in doors as well as outdoors ? Hudnut LED Lighting products are generally designed, and UL rated, for either in doors or outdoor use, and the outdoor fixtures may also be used indoors. Whether a lamp can be used indoors or outdoors is a function of the selected fixtures, which carry their own UL listing and use limitations. LED emitters may be used in almost all environments, and placed in any orientation.
How much does LED lights cost? The purchase cost of LED lighting is driven by the number of units purchased, and the number of LED emitters installed in each unit. The cost of each LED emitter drops as the number purchased goes up. Thus an order for several fixtures has a lower price per fixture than if a single unit were ordered.
The capital cost of LED lighting is higher than other lighting sources, but the total cost of ownership, including lighting maintenance, is often much lower than other lighting sources.