LED lights are one of the most amazing technological advancement of the lighting industry. LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, are small semiconductor diodes that emit light when current passes through them. Their small size, powerful light, and many other benefits over incandescent bulbs, make them the first choice for home lighting solutions.
LED Light Efficiency
LED lights can cut energy costs used for lighting by 90%. The reason is because, unlike incandescent bulbs- which have big filaments that require a large amount of energy to get excited enough to emit light, LED lights are small light-emitting diodes, normally the size of a fingernail. Their small size is directly proportional to the amount of current they need to start emitting light. They also produce a lot less heat than incandescent or compact fluoro lights (CFL). Energy used to produce heat is energy wasted.
LED Light Longevity
A typical incandescent bulb can run for up to 1500 hours before it needs replacement, a CFL about 6,000 . An LED on the other hand usually has a lifespan of up to 60,000 hours. An LED light of good quality can run constantly for 7 years before it needs to be replaced. This lifespan is 10 times longer than a fluorescent light and 133 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Sturdiness of LED Lights
Most incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lights are usually made up of very brittle glass tubes with even more fragile filaments. LED lights on the other hand are made up of semiconductors.
Semiconductors are usually synthetic plastic–like material and are hard to break, hence increasing the sturdiness of LED lights.
Safety of LED Lights
Conventional bulbs, especially incandescent, produce energy by heating electrodes inside filaments filled of neon or other illuminant gases. These hot electrodes heat up the gas, thus heating the body of the bulb when left on for continuous 3 to 4 hours. Touching such a bulb can cause severe burns and house fires. LED lights on the other hand can remain cool after hours of operation.
Environmentally Friendly
Conventional neon lighting contains mercury that can be toxic for the environment, LED lights on the other hand are made up of non-toxic semi-conductor material and are recyclable and earth friendly.
Many Colors
LEDs are available in a number of colors. This is due to their composition. Semi-conductor material can be easily synthesized and different colors can be produced. Conventional lights on the other hand need to use filters to change color. Common LED lights also emit white light which is soothing for the eyes as compared to yellow incandescent light. LED lights have been declared beneficial for health for this feature.
Design Flexibility of LED Lights
In case you need a bigger size bulb in a hall or an open field, etc, incandescent bulbs can be very expensive. They have to be custom built for such purposes and are very costly. LED lights, on the other hand, are small individual units that can be combined to make one big unit. Even in spaces like sports stadiums, the huge LED lights used are hundreds of small individual units combined together to form one big unit. LED lights have been used to illuminate filament-like tubes, mimicking retro-style globes. They have opened up new potential for strip lighting, mood lighting, back lighting, lighting bikes and shoes… We’re limited only by our imagination.
Make The Switch To LEDs
LED lights open up new opportunities in home improvements. Just make sure you used a licensed electrician for any electrical work required. And then let your imagination run wild.