The use of LED lighting globally is currently at 13% but is predicted to increase to 50% by 2015. Light Emitting Diodes, commonly known as LED's are extremely efficient and economically friendly light sources. The race is on to replace conventional forms of lights all over the world. The advantages of switching to LED's range from less energy use to several other safety benefits.
LED's are extremely efficient and long lasting sources of light. The technology behind an LED is basically a small plastic capsule containing a tiny chip placed on heat conducting material. They are relatively small in size ranging from 3-8mm and may be used singularly or in a group. Their tiny proportion allows the flexibility of being placed in hard to reach spots. They are directional sources of light that provide a more focused illumination as opposed to the commonly used light sources that illuminate in all directions.
The safeness of LED is defined in its structure, as other conventional forms of lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent are both made of glass and easily break if dropped. LED's are made of plastic. Also they contain no hazardous gases such as lead or mercury and neither do they emit UV or IR rays into the environment. If the fragile glass of the common fluorescent light bulb breaks, mercury is released as a vapor into the atmosphere. When one breaks,it is recommended for all to leave the room until about 15 minutes passes to prevent health risks. Inhaled mercury may cause central nervous system damage that could hinder the formation of myelin. Side effects may also include headaches, tremors and mood swings. Fluorescent bulbs are also know to emit high amounts of UV rays causing health concerns to those who are exposed. Switching to LED will lower emissions of unwanted substances in the air. In addition, the safer plastic outer coating of LED's makes it a more practical light source for sports locations and high crime areas as they are not fragile or easy to break.
What makes LED's most efficient, however, can be seen with their use of energy. The average light bulb uses 90-95% of its energy just on heat emission. Fluorescent bulbs use closer to 80% of energy spent on heat. With tight budgets and high energy costs, this is extra money used to produce energy that could be saved. The LED light does not generate heat and therefore uses less energy and wastes less energy. Since they do not generate heat, you are not spinning your wheels cooling the heated air from the typical light sources.
LED Lights produce more light per watt than incandescent and halogen bulbs and their light emitted is closer to that of daylight. The long life of LED's is incomparable to their counter sources of light. They are know to last 35,000 to 50,000 hours- on average, 11 years of light. This is 5 times the average length of fluorescent and 30 times of halogen. And just to throw a few more pro's at you, LED's provide stable light output and are not prone to flicker or dim, nor do they consume power when turned off.
Companies and business introduce initiatives to go green with LED lighting. As you can see there are plenty of reasons to make the switch to LED's as they are the solution to energy conducive and environmentally safe lighting. But have businesses have started to catch on to this new alternative light solution? New facilities being made with LED's as opposed to the alternative light sources are expected to save 60-90% of their current energy light bill. We can thank companies like American Truck Group for sharing their experiences with us on their new facility completely lighted with LED's. The energy costs are dramatically lower and without harmful UV rays creating unnatural light, employees seem to exhibit less stress and headaches. How many companies are going to follow their lead and install LED's for a safer environment and less use of energy.
