Get the LED in – The Future of Lighting
LED lights have come a very long way and certainly deserve the acclaim they now receive – in fact, LED lights outshine traditional light bulbs in almost every way imaginable. Gone are the days of lighting your kitchen with a couple of old bulbs – it is time to bring your living space to life while saving money, adding to your home’s value, and enjoying a myriad of other benefits.
Lifespan
11 years. Yes, LED lights often last up to 11 years, assuming that you never turn them off. A more realistic figure of 8 hours of use per day and the life expectancy jumps up to more than 20 years before replacement is needed. LED lights also do not simply ‘go out’ but rather start to diminish in brightness in later years, so it is up to the owner to decide when to replace them. After many years of faithful service, it is recommended that all the LED lights in a circuit be replaced to maintain consistent brightness.
Durability
LED lights are resistant to some of the harshest conditions, including not only weather, but also vibration, impact, and shock, making them the favorite choice for outdoor, as well as indoor, lighting. Unlike the delicate nature of traditional bulbs, LEDs are rugged and built to last.
Efficiency
This is where LED lighting really shines, and these percentages are important to remember: 80% vs. 20%. With LED lighting, approximately 80% of energy is used to produce light, while 20% is lost by way of heat produced. This may not seem that impressive until you realize that with traditional light bulbs, those percentages are flipped: 20% of energy is used to produce actual light, while 80% is lost to the byproduct of heat wasted by the bulbs. It is no wonder, then, why homeowners using LED lighting see so much in energy savings.
The U.S. federal government believes so strongly in LED efficiency that the Department of Energy campaigns for LED usage, found here. To put the savings in perspective, their site offers an example of a Christmas tree and the costs associated with the lighting:
“Estimated cost of electricity to light a six-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days:”
| Incandescent C-9 lights | $10.00 |
| LED C-9 lights | $0.27 |
| Incandescent Mini-lights | $2.74 |
| LED Mini-lights | $0.82 |
Environmentally-friendly and Safe
LED lights are 100% recyclable and contain no toxic materials, a major improvement on traditional bulbs. Many fluorescent light bulbs contain poisons such as mercury which is then added to landfills and the environment. Also, the longevity of LED lighting means that for every LED light, approximately 25 traditional bulbs would have to be purchased and eventually discarded over time.
There are two other byproducts of traditional bulbs that LEDs lack: UV emissions and heat. UV waves can be harmful to foods and anything else sensitive to UV lighting. You will find that places which house sensitive objects, such as museums and art galleries, use LED lighting to avoid the damaging rays on paintings and important artifacts. The lack of heat in an LED bulb means no burnt fingers and no radiating heat on any sensitive objects around them.
Effectiveness
Since LED lighting is nearly unaffected by extreme temperatures, they are the perfect choice for outdoor projects as well. LEDs have immediate effectiveness when switched on or off, without waiting for them to flicker to life or warm up.
Moreover, due to the low voltage required, safety, and efficiency, numerous LED lights are often spread over a ceiling area, brightening your living space and giving far greater lighting coverage, adding to the life and beauty of your home.
A respected HVAC company like Entek HVAC of Vancouver, Washington can give you all the details on LED lighting and offer expert recommendations on how to implement them in your home.
Contact Entek HVAC to discuss LED lighting for your home!
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