This article is version of an article provided by 12VMonster.
Today's consumer is much more informed, wanting products that are well made, save energy and are inexpensive. LED light bulbs are one of those products which are coming down in price, but consumers are still hesitant to purchase.
Here are 10 benefits of switching to LED light bulbs.
What Are LED Light Bulbs?
In 1880 Thomas Edison came out with the first commercially produced light bulb. Edison used a carbonized bamboo filament. The incandescent light was emitted from a vacuum. Today's light bulb LED light bulbs or Light Emitting Diodes emit light from solid matter called a semiconductor. The LED lamp market is expected to grow to $25 billion by 2023. That's an annual growth rate of 23%. LED lights are also expected to save $15 billion by 2030 by using less energy than other light bulbs on the market.
So what are the benefits?
1. Energy Efficiency
LED lights are much more energy-efficient than any of the other current types of light bulbs currently offered on the market. such as incandescent, fluorescent or halogen. They also are much more energy-efficient for households or stores which leave their lights on for extended periods of time.
Other types of light bulbs emit heat and energy in all directions. They emit heat spherically. LED light bulbs are mounted on a flat surface and therefore emit light hemispherically.
The light being emitted hemispherically reduces light and energy being wasted.
2. Safety
Not only does a LED light bulb reduce light and energy but it's also brighter. And those brighter lights ensure that your employees are safer than ever. Sometimes emergency situations arise. LED light bulbs work best in an emergency situation because they are clear, bright and have a long lifespan. So when you want to ensure your employees find the emergency exit, it's a smart choice to use LED light bulbs.
3. Health
Good lighting matters when it comes to health. Poor lighting not only can affect your mood but it can also affect your eyesight. Some illnesses are linked to poor lighting:
1. SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder): Causes depression. Tends to start in the fall when light becomes lower and less frequent and lasts all winter.
2. SBS (Sick Building Syndrome): Can cause dizziness and headaches.
Light boxes are often recommended to people suffering from either illness.
4. Extended Life
Neil Young was wrong when he sang that it was better to, "burn out than fade away". LED light bulbs don't actually burn out or stop working, they simply dim over time.
The average incandescent light bulb lasts approximately 1,000 hours. A fluorescent light bulb can last between 8,000 and 10,000 hours. LED light bulbs can last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours. LED lights are also completely unaffected by constant turning on and off of lights making them suitable for use in sensors.
5. Cold Temperature Operation
When it's colder out, it takes more energy to heat up. That's basic science and that's what happens when you use other types of light bulbs in cold spaces. LED light bulbs actually perform better in the cold. The DOE (Department of Energy) performed testing that found LED light bulbs were actually 5% more efficient at -5c than at 25c degrees.
So what cold space could benefit from LED light bulbs?
- Refrigerated Display Cases
- Freezers
- Cold Storage Spaces
- Parking Lots
- Store Perimeters
- Outdoor Signs
6. No Delays
Have you noticed a delay with some types of lighting?
Fluorescent and HID lamps often take 3 or more minutes to reach their maximum output.
With LED light bulbs nearly 100% brightness will be achieved almost instantaneously. Perfect for businesses who open during early hours or have safety concerns.
7. Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporations are increasingly interested in reducing their carbon footprint and want to set a good example for their employees. Employees can also set a good example by learning how to be more responsible when it comes to turning off lights that are not in use.
Making the change to LED light bulbs can have a great impact on the overall health of the company and shows their customers they're serious about making a difference.
8. Environmental Benefits
There are many environmental benefits to LED light bulbs, icluding:
- Reducing your Carbon Footprint by up to 70%.
- Unlike other light bulbs, there is no mercury in LED lights. Mercury is a hazard to your own health and is also really bad for the environment. Using LED lights will reduce the amount of mercury and other hazardous materials in our landfills.
- 95% of energy is converted. Only 5% of energy is wasted.
- Fewer lights are needed: You can use a 36 watt LED in place of an 84-watt incandescent.
- No need to arrange for proper disposal: With no hazardous materials, you or your company won't need to arrange for these light bulbs to be properly disposed of.
9. Durability
LED light bulbs do not have filaments or glass enclosures. This means they are breakage resistant and are largely able to withstand vibration and other heavy impacts. LED light bulbs are built similar to a cell phone. They are mounted on a circuit board and are connected with soldered leads.While they can be damaged (as a cell phone can), there's no glass and it's much less likely you'll drop your light bulb as often as you drop your cell phone.
10. Productivity & Ergonomics
Poor lighting can make it harder to see to accomplish tasks, reduce motivation and limit productivity. From an ergonomic point of view, poor lighting can cause glare and shadows, making it more difficult for an employee to find a comfortable and safe way to work. This can result in less productivity, more sick days and increased time and cost on health care.
We hope this gives enough compelling reasons to switch to LED bulbs. An added bonus of the uptake of LED is that the cost is coming down rapidly and innovation is bringing new features and better quality products, making it a good time to make the shift.