Many people are replacing their outdated incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs with Light-emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, but what are the benefits of making this change? There are many benefits including increased energy efficiency, lower electric bills, a longer bulb life, and a better and safer light source overall.
LED bulbs are designed to be a more energy-efficient light source, by using a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. LED lights use their energy much more efficiently than other types of bulbs — producing light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs and 80% more efficient than CFLs. This is due in part to the fact that LED bulbs require much less wattage than incandescent or CFL bulbs. According to the Solar Electric Power Company, fluorescent lights waste 95% of their energy as heat and only use 5% to actually generate light. LEDs are the complete opposite—using an astonishing 95% of their energy to emit light!
Like other new technologies introduced to the market before it, LED bulbs were expensive, but they have since been reduced in cost by over 80%. However, some consumers are still reluctant to try LED bulbs due to the higher upfront cost than traditional light bulbs. Yet, a study by the Consumer Federation of America found that the average American household could save about $1,000 over a ten-year period by switching to LEDs, saving consumers money in the long run. It’s the whole – pay now or later scenario. While an average incandescent bulb may cost half the price of an LED bulb, that same incandescent bulb would cost almost five times as much as an LED light bulb each month. This monthly amount added to a consumer’s electric bills can be easily reduced by switching to LED.
The longevity of the light bulb is another cost savings accrued with LED. Unlike traditionally used incandescent or CFLs, LED bulbs do not actually burn out completely. Instead, they merely lose their glow slightly over time. According to EnergyStar, LED bulbs even use a sophisticated type of thermal management to ensure they last for a specific amount of time. Though it is recommended to replace the bulbs when they are at 30% of their original glow, consumers could potentially use them even longer. This longer lifespan improves cost savings for consumers, and also helps the environment through increased energy efficiency.
LED bulbs also allow for an overall improved quality of light, as they create a more focused glow than fluorescent and incandescent lights. This allows people to use fewer light bulbs than they would need to with traditional bulbs. According to the Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO), fewer bulbs reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Since these bulbs also do not contain any toxic ingredients, they are also better for the environment, and for the people who use them. Fluorescent light strips, in particular, are much worse for humans and the environment; they contain mercury and other chemicals that sit in landfills after use. Dr. Sandra Tosta, a Ph.D. neuroscientist, states that long exposure to fluorescent lights causes many people to deal with headaches and eye discomfort, neither of which is associated with cleaner, smarter LED lights.
So while LEDs may have a more expensive upfront cost, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term sticker shock. Instead of paying for more lightbulbs over time that inefficiently use energy, you can purchase one and forget about it – getting better light and using it more efficiently. Win, win!
When your priority is to improve efficiency, the best place to start is with the lights. They’re on whenever you’re there, but you don’t usually give them a thought until they stop working. We’re here to shed some light on the issue. Look over our guide to the benefits of energy-efficient lighting, and you’ll probably come to the conclusion that it’s time to switch to LED.
Any electrical equipment needs to be monitored for effectiveness. It’s also essential to make sure that it’s not being used beyond its recommended lifespan. At some point, you’ll have to update your lighting system anyway, so why not now? And why not use the opportunity to convert from old-fashioned, traditional lighting to LED fixtures? The advanced technology has benefits across the board for buildings, as well as outdoor spaces. Below we discuss some of the most significant benefits LEDs offer.
LED lights have become so popular because they’re the smart choice for energy efficiency. According to the US Department of Energy, LED lighting uses at least 75 percent less energy and lasts 25 times longer than other lighting. It’s hard to ignore those numbers. That means that every time you get your utility bill, you’ll see that your energy consumption has been drastically decreased.
Whether you’re responsible for lighting an office, a home, a warehouse, a garage, or a park, you’ll be saving money—and it’s not a one-time thing. Making the decision for LED lights will have an ongoing effect on your budget. Imagine the savings multiplying, month after month. If you install LED dusk-to-dawn fixtures that automatically switch off when they’re not needed, your savings will multiply even more.
Installing LED lights does cost more upfront than traditional lighting, but it’s a short-sighted way to think about such an enormous improvement. Retrofitting your outdated lights with LEDs is usually a simple process with minimal expenses. The light fixtures themselves are a one-time investment in long-term savings.
The energy savings mean that an LED retrofitting will pay for itself over time. For some applications, it takes just two years. In addition, the technology for LED is constantly improving its products and manufacturing efficiency, making your investment more reasonable than ever with a faster ROI.
LEDs use diode light, which has had a revolutionary effect on energy efficiency. Incandescent lighting uses filament light, which was probably impressive back when Thomas Edison patented it. But now, we’ve come up with a better way to light our lives that’s environmentally friendly. If your goal is a lower carbon footprint, replacing your traditional lighting with LEDs will make a big difference.
Plants generate electricity with a combustion process, which has a negative impact on the planet. It releases tons of pollutants into the air, which is what leads to global warming and other urgent issues. But when you remember that LEDs use 75 percent less energy, you can feel good about making a responsible, sustainable choice. You’ll personally be helping to reduce harmful emissions.
If you’re using outdated lighting, the odds are good that your building suffers from “excessive illuminance.” It’s over-lit, which isn’t good for occupants’ eyesight. Outdoors spaces are often under-lit, leading to safety problems. With LEDs, you can get it just right.
When you’re retrofitting your light system, you can strategize existing problem areas with more effective lighting solutions. Eliminate dark corners and shadows, and enjoy the benefits of more comfortable light: less glare, greater light output, and the convenience of automatic shutoff when nobody’s around. You won’t have to experience that familiar flickering of incandescent lights anymore. And LED lights have better color options. Once you compare, you’ll prefer the warm white, natural white, and cool white illumination options of LEDs.
Older and more traditional lighting methods emit light in all directions, even where you don’t need it—like the ceiling, for example. That’s an ongoing waste of energy that both you and the planet are paying for. LEDs are the solution for that. They can focus light in one direction, concentrating power and brightness where it does the most good—and it even does it with less energy consumption.
Different LED light fixtures have different options for your directional light beam. Floodlights can “flood” an area, or focus output on a specific spot. LED wall pack lights throw the light forward. With a wide range of choices for beam distribution, you can buy the perfect fixture for any location. You’ll need fewer lights to brighten the same areas either way.
If you neglected the maintenance of your outdated lighting, dirt and dust have probably been accumulating for a long time. That interferes with the quality and efficiency of light. LED lights are low-maintenance in a good way, as you can expect such a long lifetime with the fixtures. For you, that means less time dragging out the ladder and replacing burned-out lights. After all, you have better things to do.
Updating your lights with LEDs can make your surroundings safer both inside and out. Better visibility means it’s easier to see obstacles and tricky spots, thus reducing injuries and even collisions. And when you’re using LEDs to light the exterior, you’ll be discouraging criminal activity that prefers the cover of darkness. You can use outdoor space longer into the evening with proper illumination, and you’ll have less fear of what’s in the shadows. Patrol cars will have a better view of their territory, so you can enjoy some peace of mind.
A guide to energy-efficient lighting has to include a benefit that’s less tangible but also undeniable: the well-being of your building’s occupants. It’s particularly obvious in a business office, where a high-quality visual environment can help employees do their work without glare, flickering, or dreary light. An up-to-date system brightens rooms and attitudes. Your employees might even sit up a little straighter, proud of a refreshed workspace. They can focus on their work instead of squinting, which is a vast improvement to the quality of their work.
If any of these pluses sound good to you, find out how LED lighting can change your surroundings for the better. Revolve LED has just the right fixture for your needs, with new solutions you haven’t thought of. Take a look at a versatile upgrade like an LED flat panel light fixture, which can provide superior illumination in places with T-bar grid ceilings, like offices, schools, restaurants, churches, health-care facilities, and more. Contact Revolve LED with any questions as you shop our vast selection.