What is LED lighting?
A LED light is a light-emitting diode (LED) based product that is fixed into a light bulbs for use in lighting sources. They utilize slightly less energy than CFLs and lighting brands claim LEDs last 20,000 to 50,000 hours. That is around 18 to 46 years when used three hours a day. LEDs right away light up, even in sub zero temperatures, and lifespan is not affected by regularly turning them on and off. Some of the LED light bulbs can dim as low as good old incandescent bulbs.
Benefits in using LED lighting
In the recent days with the significant price drops on LED lights it positions itself as the best lighting alternative over other lighting technologies in the market. Let's look at few major benefits of LED lighting here.
- LED light bulbs are 90 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs
- Available in a variety of colour temperatures
- Not sensitive to cold environments
- Produce next to no heat or UV emissions
- Available in dimmable varients
- Able to withstand heavy vibrations and rough handling due to the lack of a sensitive filament
- Can be cycled on and off frequently without shortening the lifespan
- Longest average life expectancy of all incandescent replacements, lasting up to 25 to 50 times longer
Comparing LED lights lifespan with other technologies
Long lifetime stands out as the number one benefits of LED Lighting. LED bulbs and diodes have an outstanding operational lifetime expectation. Lighting diodes emit lower output levels over a very long period of time and become less bright while LEDs maintain their original brightness throughout their lifespan. Therefore surely it will add up to the economic side at the end reflecting on energy bills.
Alternate lighting technologies
Incandescent Light bulbs
Incandescent lights are your inexpensive, tried-and-true light sources. However, they are very energy-inefficient compared to newer fluorescent or LED lights, and as you may have noticed, they don't last very long. Perhaps the most popular incandescent light bulb is a 60-watt bulb with a medium base, which is typically used in a ceiling fan or lamp. Due to government regulations, you are no longer able to easily purchase standard incandescent globes in the market.
Halogen Light Bulbs
Halogen lights are most popular in landscape lighting or automotive headlights. They produce bright, far-reaching light, and they also tend to emit a lot of heat. They are often used as outdoor reflector bulbs or infrared lights in heat lamps.
Fluorescent & Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent lights are often made in a tube shape and used in commercial ceiling fixtures. Sometimes, fluorescent tubes are also used residentially in kitchens or garages. Since fluorescent lights are much more energy-efficient than incandescent lights, compact-fluorescent lights (the swirly light bulbs) have been made to replace them. Fluorescent lights come in special plug-in styles too, which are usually used commercially or outdoors