Advantages Of LED Lights - Why Choose LED Lights

Advantages Of LED Lights - Why Choose LED Lights

The advantages of LED lights include:

• Extended lifespan 

50x incandescent lifespan, 25x halogen lifespan, 10x CFL lifespan

• Lower carbon footprint

LED uses up to 90% less energy than competitor bulbs

• Money-saving operating costs

Less than £3 per year per bulb at 10 hours per day

Also, unlike some alternatives, LEDs do not contain environmentally damaging chemicals. 

This guide will cover the advantages of LED lights in comparison to competitor bulbs. We will explore the practicalities and efficiencies of LED technology, and we will look at some of the benefits that are not available from alternative lighting solutions. Let’s begin.

LEDs have a longer life expectancy than alternative lighting 

Bulb lifespan depends on many factors, chief among which is the durability of the filament. 

For example, looking at the table below, we see that the relatively inefficient metal filament inside a traditional incandescent bulb has a lifespan of up to 2,000 hours. 

As we progress through the increasing lifespans of halogen, CFL, and fluorescent bulbs, we see that gas alternatives to metal filaments can offer an increase in bulb longevity.

Bulb Type	Incandescent	Halogen	CFL	Fluorescent	LED
Lifespan (Hours)	Up to 1,000	Up to  4,000	Up to 20,000	Up to  36,000	Up to  50,000*

What makes LED so special? LED technology does not rely on passing an electrical current through a filament to produce light. 

A light-emitting diode (LED) contains two small plates, facing each other. One plate conducts the current across a tiny gap for collection on the opposing plate. It is in this small gap that energy is given off as light, making direct use of the power source and eliminating the need for a metal filament or gas medium.

*Note that the lifespan of an LED bulb gives an estimate of the time taken for the bulb’s light output to reduce to 30% of the original brightness. Therefore, when the estimated lifespan is complete, the bulb will typically still function, albeit at 30% capacity.

LED bulbs are energy-efficient 

You may have heard that LED technology offers a higher energy-efficiency in comparison to alternative lighting solutions. The explanation is that LEDs are capable of converting more than 70% of the energy they consume into light. In comparison, incandescent bulbs convert as little as 5% of the energy they consume into visible light. 

Energy-efficiency (equivalent wattage at a glance):

• A 12-watt LED bulb produces the same amount of light as a 20-watt CFL bulb
• A 12-watt LED produces the same amount of light as a 100-watt halogen bulb
• A 10-watt LED bulb produces the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb

By replacing a competitor bulb with an energy-efficient LED bulb, you could reduce your annual CO2 emissions by around 5kg per bulb. To put that figure into a house-wide context, the average home could see a 63kg annual reduction in carbon emissions.

As a side benefit of a high energy-efficiency, LEDs give off only a small amount of waste in heat energy (LEDs are fitted with heat sinks and do not create the same high temperatures as alternative bulbs). Where bulbs run cooler, there is a lower risk of the bulb damaging any surrounding decor.

LEDs are brighter than equivalent wattage alternative bulbs 

There is a common misconception that wattage is a measure of brightness. However, wattage is a measure of the bulb’s energy requirements. We measure brightness in lumens. 

One of the advantages of LED lights is that they are significantly brighter than equivalent wattage alternatives:

Bulb  Type	Incandescent  (40-watt)	CFL (40-watt)	LED (40-watt)
Lumens (Brightness)	450	2,400	4,000

LEDs offer a wider range of colours and shades 

To control the light colour of an older incandescent bulb, consumers would rely on the manufacturer to provide a tinted bulb (or some other filter). The tint would likely fade over time as a result of heat exposure from the bulb.

However, the LED manufacturing process takes light colour and colour temperature scale into account, meaning the diode within an LED bulb is fit for life-long purpose. 

Reliable performance (and instant switch-on times in all temperatures)

LEDs offer reliable lighting solutions in all conditions, including busy work areas and inclement weather. The reason is that LEDs have no internal filaments, or rather, no parts that can falter and disrupt light output when knocked, vibrated, or subjected to changes in temperature. 

Whereas alternative lighting solutions may require time to heat up before they switch on, LEDs produce light instantaneously.  

In conclusion…

LEDs offer an energy-efficient money-saving alternative to traditional lighting solutions. LEDs are environmentally friendly, and the low operating temperatures mean your decor is not at risk from heat damage. From lifespan to value for money, LEDs outperform alternative lighting solutions under all considerations.