Light Emitting Diode (LED) is the latest technology in energy efficient lighting. A "Light Emitting Diode" are diodes (electronic components that let electricity pass in only one direction) that emit visible light when electricity is applied. A simpler way of looking at it is LED's are essentially semiconductors that convert electricity into light.
LED lights are predicted to be the lighting technology of the future, primarily because they use very little energy, last a very long time and unlike other energy saving light bulbs they are instantly bright when switched on.
On initial cost purchase LED lights are more expensive compared to most other energy-saving light bulbs and are mainly available in lower brightnesses. However, they do last alot longer and will therefore save you money in the long run. The technology is also developing rather quickly and as LED lighting becomes more popular they will come down in price.
The way that LED bulbs generate light is different from traditional incandescent bulbs. In traditional light bulbs electricity is passed through a filament, whereas LEDs produce light through the use of a semi-conductor that emits light energy when an electrical current is passed through it. The other energy saving light bulbs pass energy through a mercury vapour to create UV light, which is then absorbed by a phosphor coating inside the lamp, causing it to glow.
Should I buy LED Bulbs?
YES. If your goals are to bring down the cost of electricity usage in your home, conserve as much energy as possible and help reduce overall waste and save money.
LED lighting is the most energy efficient, long lasting light sources available. An added bonus is that they are become instantly bright when you flick the switch.
Test the water buy buying one LED bulb first, to see if you like the spread of the light before committing to replacing more bulbs in your home. Once, you have made your decision on your choice of bulb and are satisfied with the spread, ensure that when you finalise your purchases that you buy future replacement bulbs too. This is primarily because this market is a fast paced you may not be able to find the identical replacement bulb.
Top 4 reasons to use LED lighting
1. Led light bulbs are more energy efficient
The cost of electricity is on the increase, which will continue to become more and more relevant over the next few years. Making use of LED lighting will reduce energy consumption by nearly 70-90% would could generate significant cost savings.
2. Led light bulbs have a longer life span
LED light bulbs generally have a life span of 30 000 to 50 000 hours or more. That means LED light bulbs will last for many years or even decades providing sustainable illumination in your house of office.
3. LED lighting will save you money on your electricity bills
LED lights use less power (watts) per unit of light (lumen) generated. Therefore, they are not only much longer-lasting in lifespan but also lower your electricity bill providing 100 or even up to 200 lumen per watt. CFLs, in contrast use about twice the amount of watts and incandescent light bulbs around 10x as much power with only ca. 18-20 lumen per watts.
In a home or residential setting, this difference in lifespan and efficiency between incandescent lighting and LED lighting helps you to significantly reduce your electricity bill.
In conclusion, a LED light bulb is therefore almost 50 times more efficient in lifespan, and ca. 70-80% more energy-efficient than a conventional incandescent option. Impressed yet? It gets better!
4. LED lighting is environmentally friendly
Apart from the compelling differences in efficiency, lifespan and therefore also electricity cost, LED lighting is also the greenest solution available on today's markets. For one, LEDs, in contrast to CFLs, do not contain the highly toxic mercury, which is harmful not only to the environment but also to your personal health.
Most important for issues regarding global warming and environmental change, LED light bulbs release substantially less CO2, sulfur oxide and nuclear waste. Where 30 incandescent light bulbs release about 2500 kg's of these emissions a year, LEDs only produce about 200 kg's annually. Taking into consideration the increasing threats of global warming and the effects of CO2 emissions on our planet and personal health, it goes without saying that LED bulbs are by far the greenest lighting solution so far.
Conclusion
We all have a responsibility to make our own contributions to saving and preserving our planet for future generations. To this end it is entirely possible and vitally important that you start to benefit from longer lasting lighting systems and sustainable illumination.
LED technology is substantially more efficient, longer lasting and far more sustainable than other lighting alternatives, especially in comparison to incandescent bulbs - which, in our opinion and also in that of many regulators should be removed entirely from the market because of their massive environmental impact.