Why you should get LED's

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.

Try to Clean Green

Most of us know it is important to clean to keep a healthy lifestyle. What most of us don't know is that the conventional cleaning products we are using contain toxic agents that can have harmful effects to our health and our environment.

The health effects from using toxic cleaners is underestimated by many.  The truth is that most cleaning agents contain Alkylphenol ethoxylates and alkylphenols.  Research proves these synthesized chemicals have a damaging affect on our endocrine system as does exposure to these bio-active molecules causing hormone disruption.

The environmental effects from using these harmful chemicals are beginning to attract the attention of consumers everywhere. Detergents draining into in our streams and fresh water reserves are consumed by fish and other water dwellers. As many things in life that come back full circle, they then end up on our dinner table and we feed it to our children. Most large businesses and corporations do not realize the amount of chemicals they release into nature with the drainage of cleaners from ordinary maintenance. These toxins are found our in water systems without regulation.

It is seldom but refreshing to see a company try to make a difference in the water contamination issue of cleaning agents. A south MS truck company called American Truck Group has recently made the news with a closed wash system that filters and reuses the same water. The technology incorporated into their Pro Wash Systems prevents the contamination of high chemical content into the local waterways.


If you are a consumer concerned with the negative effects of cleaners on our ecosystem, please share your ideas. Instead of using the conventional cleaners we have all grown up with, perhaps we can opt using safe cleaners with less environmental damage.

Alternative Energy

   Most of the natural resources we use to produce energy are consumed at an alarming rate. Non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, and other fossil fuels are limited in supply and generally harmful to the environment. On average, Americans use 4.4 trillion kwh of energy per year (more than any other country) and release gigatons of harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If we continue to consume our non-renewable energy resources at this rate, then global warming and climate change will destroy our beloved earth.

    Renewable and clean energy alternatives, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectic energy are becoming increasingly necessary to conserve our natural resources, decrease atmosphere pollution, and save our planet.

    It is our responsibility to identify wasteful habits and make a personal effort to save energy in our transportation, homes, and workplaces. The American automobile industry is currently discovering new ways to run cars off of electricity, natural gas, and other renewable sources of energy. Even larger transportation vessels like trucks, trains, and airplanes are exploring and utilizing more efficient methods of consuming energy. The Green Homes website offers ways to conserve energy in the home as well as in the workplace. These principles are cost efficient and available for use in any type of facility. You can make a difference.