LED stands for light-emitting diode. These light-emitting diodes are, in effect, tiny light bulbs that can be banded together to produce light on a scale that rivals incandescent light bulbs, while using less energy at the same time.
LED lights are a solid state device meaning there are no moving parts within the bulb and no filament. They work by passing electricity through a semiconductor. This creates electromagnetic radiation which is essentially what we see as visible light.
Incandescent light bulbs, on the other hand, work by heating up a filament which produces light. The downside to this is that it requires a lot of energy end eventually the filament burns out. These are bad for the environment and need to constantly be replaced.
As a rule, LED lights use 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. They have an unparalleled even spectrum of light and can last up to 25 years. LED's are an effective way to help save on energy costs and to help reduce the impact our environment.
LED lighting is currently being used in many applications from the small lights you see in TV screens and modems to things like traffic lights. Because LEDs last so long they are used as a light source in many products that are expected to operate continuously and last a long period of time. LED lighting is also being used in Domestic and Commercial settings for the same reasons and, over time, are a more cost effective way to produce light are better for the environment when compared to incandescent and fluoro lighting.
LED light bulbs use 50% less energy than CFL bulbs and can last 10 times longer. They are far more durable and environmentally friendly the CFL lights.
No. LED bulbs do not contain mercury and, as a result, they can be recycled as they do not contain any toxic chemicals - unlike the CFL.
LED lighting produces much less heat then CFL or incandescent bulbs. You can literally feel the difference just by putting your hand next to them. In offices with large numbers of lights, switching to LEDs will result in significant savings to cooling costs.
LED light bulbs use a circuit board to operate and are consist of several electronic components. They are more expensive to produce but advances in technology and the worldwide uptake of LED technology is making LED lighting more affordable, providing a substantially faster return on your investment.
Because LED lights are solid state devices the electricity passing through the bulb creates very little heat and runs at approximately 80% efficiency. The other 20% of the energy used to light up the bulb is lost to heat.
Incandescent light bulbs operate at approximately 20% efficiency. This means that 80% of the energy used to light the bulb is wasted through heat.
In monetary terms if you were to run a 100watt incandescent globe at 20c per kw over a year period the light would cost you around $176. Of that $176 - $140 is wasted just to heat up the bulb.
By comparison, an efficient LED light would cost you around $46 per year saving you around $130 per year. This figure also doesn’t factor in the time and cost of replacing an incandescent bulb, which usually required once a year.
Yes, LED light is said to be a safer, healthier light. LEDs do not produce any sort of ultraviolet radiation which can cause fading in fabric, art pieces, carpet, and other soft furnishings. LED lights have no 'buzzing' or 'flickering' that many people are sensitive to with traditional light sources. LED lighting is not just limited to your home either. In fact, LED lighting is currently used in many commercial and industrial installations such as stores, libraries, galleries, hotels, restaurants, warehouses and even sports stadiums.
LED Lighting can last up to 100,000 hours. Because LED’s are Solid State devices they will not burn out and, with a lifespan upwards of 50,000 to 100,000 hours or more. Longer life means maintenance costs to replace lights are reduced as well as the cost of the lights themselves.
An incandescent light bulb is rated for about 1000 hours. CFLs or Fluorescent Tube lights are rated for 6-8000 hours.
| TYPE OF LIGHT | LIFE HOURS | REPLACE COST |
|---|---|---|
| LED lighting | 100,000 hrs (10 years) | Buy once |
| Fluorescent/CFLs | 6-8,000 hrs | Buy 13 times |
| Incandescent | 1,000 hrs | Buy 100 times |
