Efficiency Through Innovations.
Today’s most efficient way of illuminating and lighting is undoubtedly LED. When compared with older lighting technologies such as Incandescent, Halogen and CFL bulbs, you will find that LED is by far the most energy saving and smart solution.
The pace at which LED technology is growing is truly incredible, although they’ve now been around for many years, today’s LED technology has completely changed lighting as we know it. We’ll be the first to admit that the process hasn’t always been consumer friendly, and we’ve compiled this guide to help you understand how any why you can benefit from making the switch.
WHAT IS AN LED?
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are a type of electronic light source.
LEDs are different from conventional light sources such as incandescent and halogen lamps. They last much longer, consume far less energy and emit very little heat. They are highly durable and do not feature fragile elements such as glass tubes or filaments; they are also safer because they do not contain any mercury or lead. LED bulbs are now available in the most common light fittings, including GU10, B22, E27 and MR16.
HOW MUCH POWER DO LEDS USE?
LED Bulbs use up to 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen bulb of equivalent brightness. LEDs are far more efficient at converting electricity, measured in watts, into light, measured in lumens. As such, a typical 4 watt LED bulb can easily achieve a light output comparable to a 50 watt halogen, sometimes higher due to its high lumen to watt ratio.
HOW LONG DO LEDS LAST?
One of the biggest benefits of using LED is its outstanding life time expectation due to very efficient thermal management, LED Bulbs are able to remove heat through heat sinks to help prolong the life expectancy of the bulb by slowing down lumen depreciation. A well-built LED with good thermal management should last up to 50,000 hours. Be wary of retailers making exaggerated claims about the life expectancy of their products.
HOW BRIGHT ARE LEDS?
The brightness of a bulb is measured in lumens (Lm), the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb. Despite using very low wattages, LEDs are able to emit the same brightness as traditional light sources. To make things easier, most retailers quote an equivalent incandescent wattage so consumers can replace their lights and keep the same brightness.
You used to look for wattage when buying new light bulbs, but wattage only measures energy use. Because energy efficient bulbs use considerably fewer watts, we now use lumens, which measure brightness, to select new bulbs.