Benefits of LED Lights - What’s the Hype?
It seems like lately everyone’s jumping on the LED bandwagon. Have you made the switch yet?
There are incredible benefits from switching out those old incandescent globes to LEDs – one of the main being that LEDs use up to 85% less energy than incandescent globes. Another big pro, they last much (much) longer.
And making the switch is easier than you might think! Keep reading for all you need to know about LEDs.
What is LED?
LED stands for light-emitting diode.
A diode is an electrical device with two electrodes that allow electricity to pass through. The current enters through the anode and exits through the cathode, much like how a battery operates. When the current passes through the electrodes, it emits visible light.
LED light globes have been around for over 10 years. They’re free from harsh chemicals and don’t emit UV rays. LED lights are also 100% recyclable and can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, LEDs convert almost 100% of input energy into light, which is quite different from most other light globes out there.
An LED light is usually made from semi-conductive material wrapped in plastic. And people are switching to LEDs faster than you can say light globe. Some of the main benefits of LEDs include:
- A long lifespan
- Saves you money in the long run
- Uses 85% less energy than incandescent globes
- Generates zero heat emissions
- Operates on low voltage
- Has dimming capabilities
LEDs do come with a higher price tag than other options, but in the long run, LED users win out big time. You’ll be buying one LED for every 10-20 incandescent light globes, saving money on LEDs long-term. Also, you won’t dump all those old light globes into a landfill.
LED vs Other Light Globes
Maybe you’re not sold on LEDs quite yet. Let’s review two other light globe options and how they compare to LEDs.
Incandescent Globes
Incandescent light globes are the typical old-fashioned globes you probably grew up with. These bulbs burn hot (over 300°C) because 90% of their energy is being released as heat and only 10% as light.
Incandescent globes also have poor energy conversion rates meaning increased costs and wasted energy usage. Plus, they only last around 1,000 hours compared to an LED light globe which can last up to 25,000 hours.
Compact Fluorescent Light Globes
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) are the spiral bulbs that may come to mind when you think about energy-efficient globes. Like LEDs, CFLs use much less energy than incandescents. They also cost more off the shelf but are longer lasting and cost-efficient in the long run.
Yet, unlike LEDs, CFLs are cold temperature-sensitive, and may not last in outdoor environments. CFLs release almost 80% of their energy as heat which is harmful to the environment and they’re not recommended for enclosed fixtures.
LED Cost Breakdown
Let’s do a simple cost comparison between incandescent and LED globes. For this exercise, let’s assume that we’ve got a 100-watt incandescent globe and that 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy costs 10 cents.
- Incandescent: A 100-watt incandescent globe running nonstop for an entire year would use 876 kWh of energy, which would cost $87.60. And don’t forget, you’ll need to replace your light globe, probably once a month or so.
- LED: It would only take a 16-watt bulb to emit as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. It would use only 140 kWh of energy running nonstop over one year. The electric cost would be just $14.00 and your LED will last the entire year.
Making the Switch
If you're used to thinking about lighting in watts, you need to start thinking in lumens and Kelvin. Lumens measure brightness or how much light is generated per bulb. Each lumen emits approximately the same amount of light as one candle.
Kelvin is a temperature measurement used to describe the colour of a light source.
To replace a 100-watt incandescent light globe, you’ll need an LED with at least 1000 lumens. If you’re also looking for the same light colour as the standard 100-watt incandescent, you’ll need a 2700 Kelvin LED. A 3000 Kelvin will be brighter and whiter.
Use the guide below to help get the light brightness you are looking for:
- Replace a 100-watt incandescent globe using an LED with at least 1000 lumens
- Replace a 75-watt incandescent globe using an LED with at least 750 lumens
- Replace a 60-watt incandescent globe using an LED with at least 600 lumens
- Replace a 40-watt incandescent globe using an LED with at least 400 lumens
The guide below will help you find the right colour temperature:
- 2000-3000 Kelvin appears warm white, calm and cosy. Best for ambient lighting, table lights and restaurant/commercial settings.
- 3100-4500 Kelvin appears cool white, bright and vibrant. Best for basements, garages and work settings.
- 4600-6500 Kelvin appears as daylight, crisp and energetic. Best for display areas, task areas.
At Ozlighting, we’re ready to help you make the switch to LED! Shop our full collection of LED lighting today.