What Are the Advantages of LED Lighting?
LED lighting is a type of lighting that offers a number of advantages over traditional lighting options such as incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. LED lights use a series of light-emitting diodes to produce light. Power consumption, lifespan and durability are some of the areas in which LED lighting is better than other lighting options. Does this Spark an idea?
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Power Use
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When compared to other types of lighting options such as incandescent bulbs and CFL (compact fluorescent lights), LED lighting uses far less energy. According to the website ProductDose, the power consumption of an LED bulb is around 6 watts of power, with around 360 kilowatt hours of electricity being used over the lifespan of the bulb.
Compared with a 60 watt light bulb, LED bulbs use a tenth of the energy, with incandescent lamps using 3,600 kilowatt hours over the same time period of 60,000 hours. CFL lights fall somewhere in between but still use more than double the amount of energy of LED.
Time Frame
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LED lights are known for their extremely long lifespan. An average LED bulb can last up to 60,000 hours of use, compared with 1,500 hours of use for a 60-watt incandescent light bulb. You would have to replace a standard light bulb about 40 times to equal 60,000 hours of use.
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Durability and Safety
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LED light bulbs use small diodes that are more durable than traditional light bulbs. Traditional light bulbs can crack or shatter easily when dropped or banged, but LED light bulbs may withstand impact better. Another consideration is that LED bulbs do not contain potentially harmful gases or chemicals. Incandescent bulbs may contain halogen, xenon or krypton while CFL bulbs can contain mercury, which is a neurotoxin.
Effects
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One advantage of LED lights is their ability to produce directional light. Basically, wherever the light is pointed, a steady beam of direct light will light up the area. LEDs also come in a wide range of colors including white, cyan, blue and red. The color of the light can improve brightness or be used in certain applications (such as red being useful for night vision), or can simply have aesthetic appeal.
Disadvantages
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While LED lights are good for saving energy and their long lifespans, there are some key disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that the cost of the bulbs can be high, sometimes above $100 each. Some light fixtures may support LED bulbs while others may not, requiring a new light fixture.
Another disadvantage to LED lighting is that directional lighting may not be good for all settings. Being directional means that the light can focus light on one small area, ideal for flashlights and workstations, but making it less ideal for lighting up entire rooms.
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