12 Reasons Why to Consider Switching to LED Lights?

When it comes to lighting your office, storefront, or home, LED lights are the most cost-effective and energy-efficient solution currently available on the market. The rise of the LED (light-emitting diode) has been relatively fast, as advances in technology and manufacturing have meant that LED lights are now commonly found in every major lighting retailer and hardware store across the country.

For some who still may be using halogen or fluorescent light bulbs and are unsure about making the switch to LED, we’ve created a detailed list of some of the biggest reasons why LEDs have become the lighting method of choice in recent years.

Fun & Spontaneity

In recent months there's been a reported rise in retail sales of LED lights, from increased use across homes in bedrooms and living spaces, to outdoor areas and even within furnishings.

LED lights seem to be the 'latest craze' to some extent. Today's LED lights are sold with smart apps (shipped direct with this functionality, from manufacturers) for mobile devices and making them exceptionally accessible but also simple to operate, change and mix up colours and the feeling, vibe and overall aesthetic of living spaces, on-demand.

Unsurpassed longevity

LEDs have an exceptional operational life of around 50,000 hours. For comparison, this is about 20-25 times longer than a halogen bulb and 50 times longer than an incandescent bulb. When an LED light is at the end of its life, it will simply emit a lower output of light, becoming less bright, unlike traditional bulbs which generally burn out and stop working immediately. This is also convenient for replacement warnings so you are not left without light until globes are replaced.

Incredible efficiency

LEDs have an estimated efficiency of 80%-90% compared to traditional lights. In other words, approximately 80% of the electrical energy generated by an LED is converted to light, and only 20% of the energy generated is lost to other energy, like heat for example. With an incandescent bulb, these figures are roughly reversed, with only 20% of the energy generated being used to generate light with the rest being lost to heat.

Little maintenance

With an extremely long lifespan, LEDs don’t need to be replaced as often as incandescent and other forms of lighting. When it comes to large public places like train stations, for example, this can make a significant difference to the number of maintenance crews required to change bulbs as this task is far less frequent when LEDs are used.

Durability

LEDs are designed using extremely rugged components that can withstand even the harshest outdoor conditions. Being resistant to vibrations and shock, they are far less likely to be broken or need frequent replacing. Where a fluorescent lamp will be affected by low temperatures experienced in some outdoor climates, an LED light is not, making it suitable for even the coldest outdoor conditions.

Environmentally friendly

Fluorescent bulbs can contain toxic substances like mercury, which are dangerous to the environment. LED lights are free of all harsh chemicals and do not emit UV rays. LED lights are also 100% recyclable and can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. With one LED light able to do the work of roughly 25 incandescent light bulbs over its lifetime, LED lights also help save on materials and production.

LEDs offer a range of design options

Due to their high level of flexibility, LED lights can be combined in just about any shape. Individual LED lights can also be dimmed, so there can be greater control over the level of illumination, distribution of light, and even colour. This ability to control the level, colour, and distribution of light is being utilised in many different places, such as airplanes and classrooms across the world, to create the perfect atmosphere within a specific space.

Instantaneous illumination

When switched on, an LED will immediately light up – which is a huge advantage when it comes to infrastructure projects like signal and traffic lights. Switching the lights on and off does not affect the longevity of the light bulb either, in contrast to traditional lighting methods where turning the light source on and off dramatically reduces the operational life of the globe.

Operate using low voltage

LEDs don’t require a high voltage to operate. This makes it easy to use LEDs outside by connecting them to a solar power source. They also don’t become hot to the touch as they don’t produce the same amount of heat as incandescent bulbs. This also means that LEDs are ideal for lighting food displays and textiles.

A rainbow of colour options

While you can purchase white LED lights, you can also find LED lights in a vast array of brilliant colours and modules containing different coloured LEDs in one device. This is known as an RGB module (which includes blue, green, and red LEDs) that can be used to achieve a broad spectrum of colours.

A better distribution of light

LEDs are able to focus light in one direction without the need for a reflector, which means that contemporary lighting systems that utilise LED lights are able to deliver light more efficiently – giving the end-user greater control over how the light is distributed.

A compact solution

Some LED bulbs are as small as 2mm, which makes them ideal for compact and hard-to-reach areas.

There’s no doubt that LED lights are the way of the future. Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint or your electricity bill, LED lights offer a safer, smarter solution for illuminating your home and your business premises. So if you haven’t yet, start replacing your bulbs with LEDs!

If you'd like to find out more about how to reduce your environmental impact and potentially reduce your cost of powering your lighting, talk to our expert Ecosmart Electricians who can help you with energy efficiency in the home, contact us today or request a professional energy Audit.

You can also do it yourself with our free tool:

Check out our ultimate guide to a DIY home energy audit.