All right, folks. We realize that some of you may be wondering: Why should I use LED lighting over some of the other choices out there? A noble query, indeed. And we’re here to, ahem, shed some light on the subject.
First, the basics: LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. What makes LED lighting different from other forms of lighting, such as incandescent and fluorescent, is that it is Solid State Lighting (SSL), which means it uses diodes as a source of illumination instead of gas or electrical filaments. Solid state means that the light comes from a solid object as opposed to a vacuum or gas tube.
The benefits that come from SSL lighting are many, including reduced heat generation and increased lifespan, because of their solid state, LEDs break less easily than incandescent bulbs and fluorescents.
Even better, LEDs produce more light per watt than incandescent bulbs, which means big energy savings! Check it out: LEDs produce approximately 48-70 lumens per watt of electricity and have a service life of 40,000 to 50,000 hours. Compare that to CFLs, which emit 60 lumens per watt and last only 10,000 hours, or incandescent, which produce 13 lumens and last only 750 hours. The choice is simple, LEDs will save you money, no exceptions. (And the technology is constantly improving: LED’s efficacy is increasing rapidly. 100 lumens per watt has been achieved in lab testing!
Furthermore, LEDs can produce colored light without using a filter, which again, increases efficiency and LEDs are able to withstand frequent on-off cycling, while incandescent bulbs burn out more quickly when regularly turned on and off.
Also, because of its solid state, LED lighting can be easily focused on a specific target. Looking for more aesthetic pros? LEDs can dim without changing color tint—incandescent lights turn yellow when dimmed. Lastly, LEDs are great for the environment, not only because of their highly efficient energy consumption, but also because LEDs do not contain mercury, a toxic substance, like compact fluorescent lamps do.
With so many benefits to switching to LED lighting, the question really should be, Why aren’t you using LED?