LED stands for light-emitting diode, and for lighting, this technology has many advantages compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. They are more durable, lightweight, and long-lasting. If you want to know more about this, keep reading to learn about the benefits of switching from incandescent lighting to LED technology.
LED Lighting: What Is It?
An LED is a semiconductor. When an electric current moves through the semiconductor material in an LED, it triggers a process known as electroluminescence that emits light visible to the human eye. LED technology is in its third generation, and no other commercial or residential lighting source is nearly as durable, efficient, or long-lasting.
Save Power
LED lights use a tiny fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light. Depending on what kind of incandescent lighting you replace with LED bulbs, your energy savings from lighting could range from 60% to 90%. While there is a higher upfront cost, the increased energy efficiency directly impacts your electric usage. If everything else stays the same in your home or business, your overall energy bills should decrease.
Lasts Many Times Longer
LED light bulbs have far greater lifespans than most incandescent bulbs. Traditional bulbs might give you around 1,000 hours of light, but a typical LED bulb can last 50,000. Depending on your usage, an LED bulb might function for over a decade before it has to be replaced. Going that long without buying new bulbs is just another layer of savings on top of the decreased utility bills.
Cold Doesn’t Kill Them
Incandescent bulbs hate cold weather conditions. As the temperatures go lower, so does the intensity of the light they produce. What goes up is the amount of voltage they need to get started. On the contrary, LED bulbs perform a little better in cold conditions. They’re efficient choices for outdoor lights, freezers, and refrigerated spaces.
Emits No UV Radiation or Heat
Have you ever changed an incandescent bulb the moment it went out? You probably remember that they’re hot to touch. Traditional bulbs convert nearly all their energy to heat; only 10% of it goes to light. LED bulbs are the opposite; most of their light is visible to you instead of generating heat. The lack of UV rays being emitted also helps preserve art pieces that might deteriorate over time.
Helpful to the Environment
Being eco-friendly is an important business practice that aligns with the values of both employees and consumers alike. It might be a way to practice your beliefs or set a standard for your family at home. LED lighting is environmentally friendly in three different ways. First, the low power consumption that saves you money also requires less electricity at power plants. Second, since LED bulbs last longer, not as many have to be manufactured. Third, their production doesn’t require mercury like incandescent bulbs.
Design Possibilities Are Very Flexible
A single LED can be as small as a piece of pepper. Their original application was serving as circuit board indicator lights. Bulbs designed for home lighting are formed by combining a bunch of them. This serves in applications ranging from strings of Christmas lights to lighting up an athletic field. The potential array of design applications is much broader than what you can do with incandescent bulbs.
Dimming Is Effective
Many LED bulbs can work with power percentages ranging from 5% to 100%. In contrast, many incandescent bulbs might only work at or near full power. LED bulbs often work more efficiently at lower power levels, and they’ll last longer when you do that. If you want dimmable lights, LED bulbs are natural options. However, you’ll need dimming controls specific to LED technology installed. We can install these or any other type of indoor lighting.
Enjoy Directional Lighting
Traditional bulbs emit light in a sphere in all directions. You have to use accessories to deflect or channel light in a dedicated direction, which wastes much illumination and energy. LED bulbs only illuminate in one direction. That makes them great for recessed lighting in workspaces, hallways, and bathrooms. Having us install recessed LED lighting can make a small room appear larger. They can also highlight accent pieces in your home. Recessed lighting can also be directed toward the ceiling to provide diffused light for the entire room.
LEDs Come On Fast
LED is the way to go when you need lights that turn on quickly. They can activate and deactivate instantly without a warm-up period or flickering for a few seconds. LED bulbs also don’t have their lifespan shortened by being turned on and off.
Terminology You Should Know
When you start looking into LED lighting options, there are certain concepts about the technology that you should know. They include brightness and light appearance.
Brightness
Don’t fall for the misconception that wattage is the same as brightness. There’s a direct correlation between Watts and brightness for incandescent bulbs. LED lights use less power but can still be bright. Lumens are a measurement for brightness that works better for lighting products. A good rule of thumb is that a 60 W incandescent bulb measures around 800 lumens. Because LED lights emit very little heat, high-lumen LED bulbs are safe to use in household settings where incandescent bulbs of the same brightness could pose a fire hazard.
Light Appearance
The color appearance of a light is measured in units known as kelvins. Lower numbers correlate to warmer colors, and higher numbers correspond to cool, bluish light. For reference, high noon sunlight on a clear day is around 5500K, and most incandescent bulbs range between 2700K and 3000K. Look for LED lights in the same range to maintain a similar visual ambiance.
Warranty
LED bulbs are supposed to last a long time, but you should make sure this happens. Look for LED products with a long warranty period. If your purchase is damaged, you’ll have the chance to replace it and protect your investment.
Certifications
There are accreditations or approvals from independent agencies and organizations verifying certain standards LED products might meet. These include regulatory compliance, performance, quality, and safety. Two of the most common certifications are Underwriters Laboratories and DesignLights Consortium, abbreviated as UL and DLC.
Maximize the Potential
Taking advantage of LED technology involves more than just replacing incandescent bulbs. Our electrical contractors have the experience, tools, and techniques to install LED lighting in ways that harness benefits for your home in the Sterling, VA, area. Whether you need LED recessed lighting or indoor lighting, we can help. We can also handle ceiling and attic fans, EV chargers, electric panel upgrades and replacements, outlets, and switches. You can also count on us for AFCI protection, surge protection, and electric repairs. To find out how we can make energy-efficient and long-term LED technology work for you, contact Absolute Electric in Sterling today!
