LED lighting technology is popular worldwide because of its superior efficiency and life span compared to other light sources. LED lights provide benefits ranging from increased energy savings to reduced environmental impact that can transform how the world uses light. Based on these and other LED benefits, many individuals and organizations are exchanging their incandescent or compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) for LED bulbs. LED lighting is the world’s leading light technology, comprising over 50% of global lighting sales.
If your facility or venue is considering switching to LED lighting, understanding the advantages of LED can help you decide whether this lighting technology is the best. Learn more about the benefits and uses of LED lights below.
LED lighting is a type of lighting technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to create light. LED products contain semiconductors that emit visible light when an electric current flows through them. This reaction releases energy in the form of heat and photons, which are light particles. The process responsible for producing LED light is called electroluminescence.
An LED light has several components working together. These parts include:
The color of LED light is determined by the energy required for the electricity to pass through the semiconductor. To create white light, multiple semiconductors are used in the LED light. Manufacturers can also apply a layer of phosphor, a light-emitting substance, on the semiconductor to produce white light.
LED lights were first used in expensive laboratory and test equipment. These early LED lights were extremely expensive and impractical for widespread use. Eventually, as their design was refined, these replacements for incandescent bulbs became more affordable and widely used across various applications.
LED lighting provides many advantages to organizations compared to other types of lighting technology. Consider these advantages of LED lights and how this technology can benefit your facility:
Using LED benefits companies that want to reduce energy costs, as this lighting technology is much more energy efficient than alternative lighting sources. Energy efficiency is measured in luminous efficacy or useful lumens. These terms describe the amount of light a bulb emits for every watt of energy it consumes. LED lighting produces more useful lumens and wastes less energy than other light sources.
The energy savings you can expect from LED lights depends on your facility’s existing lights and the specific LEDs you install. For example, switching to LEDs from incandescent bulbs could result in an efficiency improvement of 90%. Better energy efficiency translates into greater savings.
One of the most significant LED advantages is the longer life span of the bulbs. An LED bulb can last three to five times longer than a CFL bulb and up to 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Depending on how you use your lights, you may be able to use them for thousands of hours longer than other light sources. You may be able to keep using an LED light for years after you would have had to replace an incandescent one. This difference in life spans of these light sources significantly reduces your facility’s maintenance and replacement costs.
Companies and organizations realize the importance of reducing their environmental impact. Using environmentally friendly lighting sources can help companies comply with governmental regulations, reduce their energy use and attract environmentally conscious customers.
The reduced energy use associated with LED lights has a significant positive effect on the environment. According to the International Energy Agency, LED lighting is the most efficient of any light source available on the market, producing an average of 11 lumens per watt. Many countries worldwide are phasing out less-efficient technology in favor of LEDs, and increased adoption of LED lighting is necessary for achieving Net Zero Emissions.
LED lights emit most of their energy as visible light, a small amount in the infrared spectrum and hardly any in the ultraviolet spectrum. Because LED lights don’t emit UV waves, they are ideal for safely illuminating sensitive items like artwork that could become damaged if exposed to this emission.
LEDs also hardly emit any heat, especially compared to other light sources. For example, incandescent lighting releases 90% of its energy as heat, leaving only 10% of its energy for light production. This contributes to the low energy efficiency of incandescent bulbs.
The benefits of LED lighting on the environment also include better safety for people and the planet. Two traditional light sources — mercury vapor lights and fluorescent lighting — contain mercury in their bulbs. At the end of these bulbs’ life span, they require special handling to avoid mercury exposure or release, which can be toxic to human health and the environment.
LED lights don’t contain mercury in the bulb because they produce light using semiconductors. Using LED lighting eliminates the need to worry about safely disposing of the bulbs.
If your facility is looking for a lighting source that can work in several different applications, LED lights are the solution. LEDs are small, about the size of a flake of pepper. There are countless ways to use these tiny LEDs to enhance almost any environment. The versatility of LED lights gives them tremendous flexibility in their uses. LED lights work just as well in small devices as illuminating massive sports arenas.
Traditional light sources emit light at 360 degrees around the bulb, lighting every direction equally. However, your facility may need directional lighting to illuminate a specific area, like a stage, sign or piece of artwork. You’ll have to invest in additional devices to reflect or redirect the light to obtain directional lighting from an incandescent or CFL bulb.
LED lights are ideal for applications that require directional lighting. These bulbs emit light in a specific direction, eliminating the need for adding light reflectors to your lighting system. This characteristic makes LED lights more efficient than light sources that require redirection. LED lighting also saves your facility the cost of installing accessories to your lighting system.
Fluorescent and metal halide lights require a couple of seconds before they turn on fully. This warm-up time delays your lighting and will eventually degrade the light source if you frequently switch them on and off. Whether you want your lights to turn on instantly after a power surge or when an employee opens the door, traditional light sources aren’t the best solution.
In contrast, LED lights turn on and off instantaneously and can withstand frequent switching without losing efficiency. This feature makes LEDs perfect for light installations that switch colors, like LED walls or flashing light displays.
Sometimes facilities need to dim their lights, whether to create a specific ambiance or conserve energy during certain times of the day. Traditional light sources like metal halide lamps perform less efficiently when dimmed and may not dim at all.
LED lights perform well at any percentage of rated power, anywhere from 5% to 100%. The efficiency of these lights isn’t negatively affected by dimness. In fact, you can increase the efficiency of your LED lights by dimming them. An LED light’s dimming capability enables facilities to extend each bulb’s life span and reduce energy costs.
In certain situations, such as in geographic locations where your facility could become flooded, having lights that operate on low voltage can be a significant benefit. Low-voltage light systems can protect anyone inside the building from harmful electric shocks if the building is flooded.
LED lights are ideal for these areas because they operate on low voltages. This means your bulbs can help protect employees and customers who may be inside during a flood. Their low voltage also makes LEDs ideal for use outdoors when other types of lighting don’t meet building codes, such as in flood zones.
Some traditional lighting sources don’t do well in cold temperatures. Incandescent lights, for instance, require a higher voltage to power on if they become too cold. This characteristic isn’t ideal for illuminating cold spaces like freezers and meat lockers. The intensity of incandescent light also diminishes in colder environments, making this light source less efficient.
LED lights work well in a wide range of temperatures, making them ideal for applications in cold and hot areas. LEDs work efficiently in areas such as parking lots, building perimeters and refrigerated display cases.
A light’s color rendering index (CRI) is its ability to illuminate the colors of objects compared to natural light. Some light sources have a better CRI than others. For example, sodium vapor lamps have a low CRI and tend to create almost a monochromatic environment around them, washing out the nuances of color. In comparison, LED lights tend to have a high CRI, clarifying the distinctions between the colors they illuminate.
Now that you understand the advantages of LED lights, you may be wondering whether those advantages apply to your industry. Understanding what LED lights are used for can help you visualize how to utilize the technology in your facility. Here are the various uses of LED lights:
One of the most common LED uses is in theaters. A theater’s lighting system is critical for bringing to life the movements, dimensions and moods on stage. Performances may use color, patterns and movement in their stage lighting to help create the effects needed for each scene. Theaters also use house lights and performance-dimmed lights in the audience.
Efficient lighting is essential in sports venues, where spectators and players must see the game in action within the stadium. Stadium lights must be bright, dependable and efficient. Sports venues must also be well-lit in other areas, including restrooms, vendors and parking lots. These venues often choose LEDs over other light sources. The energy efficiency, sophisticated controls and color rendering that LED lights provide make them an excellent choice.
There are many uses for LEDs in corporate spaces. From company headquarters and retail centers to hotels, all kinds of corporate spaces use lighting to enhance their brand, send a message to customers and enhance productivity. LED lighting provides the energy efficiency and versatility businesses need in their light installations. For example, a company may create ambient lighting with LEDs, install accent lighting or use LED walls to display completed projects for those who enter the building.
From city halls and courthouses to post offices and historic locations, government buildings need efficient lighting that sets a tone and operates reliably. Whether a government facility needs office lighting that encourages productivity or outdoor lighting that provides high levels of visibility, LEDs are the solution. LED lights allow these facilities to save energy, set the right tone and enhance security.
Museums use audio, visuals and lighting to create an ambiance for visitors and help enhance their exhibits. LED lighting installations are valuable for helping galleries and museums bring their exhibits to life. LEDs are ideal for illuminating artwork and artifacts that are sensitive to UV waves. LED lighting also provides plenty of design flexibility so museums can create unique lighting installations that engage patrons and emphasize the characteristics of various exhibitions.
Places of worship rely on lighting to draw worshipers into the service, create a welcoming environment and enable recording and livestreaming of the service. LEDs are used in stage lighting, accent lighting, scenic lighting and classrooms to serve different purposes and appeal to the right audience. LED lights are a great option whether a church needs performance lighting to highlight its speaker and band or ambient lighting to create a sense of quiet reverence.
Performance venues strive to create immersive experiences for the audience, whether the performance is a comedy show or a heavy metal concert. Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the scene and engaging attendees. A performance venue needs different lighting arrangements to cater to the needs of various performers, from dancing groups to musicians. A custom LED lighting system can help a venue attract performers, engross audiences and enhance the viewing experience.
For K-12 schools and higher education institutions, an auditorium is an important place where students and educators gather for learning, entertainment and informational events. A K-12 auditorium can use LED lights to enhance student performances, debates, public speaking events and more. A well-designed LED lighting system at universities enhances the campus’s value.
Themed entertainment centers like theme parks, nightclubs and restaurants use LED lighting to influence actions and emotions in the audience. Lighting helps coordinate a seamless and immersive experience for guests. Themed entertainment centers benefit from LED lighting’s versatility, efficiency, long life spans and ability to switch and dim lights as needed.
Lighting is crucial in healthcare settings, providing visibility and creating an ambiance that can help calm patients. LED lighting has numerous uses in healthcare facilities, from illuminating MRI rooms to providing visibility in hospital cafeterias. LEDs can meet the modern efficiency and design needs of places like clinics and urgent care centers.
LED lighting provides several significant benefits to companies and organizations that use it and to the environment. LED lights can reduce your facility’s energy expenditure, enhance safety and enable directional lighting that accurately illuminates colors. LED lights are also safe, have a low environmental impact and are extremely versatile. With applications ranging from hospitals to theme parks, LED lights have many uses.
At Illuminated Integration, we design, integrate and install audio, visual and lighting (AVL) systems for facilities in various industries. We work with you to determine your facility’s needs and create an original design that fulfills your vision. For help with your facility’s lighting project, contact Illuminated Integration.
The benefits of LED lighting transcend nations, cultures, and levels of socioeconomic status. People living in the developing world are benefitting from replacing kerosene with safe LED lights so they can work at night and their children can do their homework without the risk of fire and inhaling toxic smoke. Commercial enterprises are reaping the benefits of safely and efficiently lighting their workplaces, manufacturing facilities, plants, warehouses, parking lots, and more while saving money at the same time. In 2014 when the Nobel Prize Committee awarded Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura the Nobel Prize in Physics for the development of the light emitting diode or LED, it wasn’t just because these scientists had invented some really cool lights. It was, in the words of the Committee, because LEDs “hold great promise for increasing the quality of life for over 1.5 billion people around the world who lack access to electricity grids.” And not only have LEDs transformed the lives of people in the developing world, commercial LED lighting is transforming businesses in a variety of ways. While there are dozens of reasons why you should make the switch and ditch outdated traditional lighting at your facility (if you haven’t already), here are 16 advantages of LED lighting and why you should switch now:
1. LED lights last much longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.
LED lights can reliably last more than 50,000 hours, and in commercial environments, they’re known to last even longer – more than 100,000 hours. This can net out to a lifespan of 11 years if burned 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The following chart from Bulbs.com shows the average lifespan of different types of light bulbs. As you can see in the chart, an LED bulb can outlast any other light bulb by a wide margin. Incandescent light: 750 – 2,000 hours Fluorescent light: 24,000 – 36,000 hours High Intensity Discharge HID light: 10,000 – 24,000 hours Compact Fluorescent CFL light: 8,000 – 20,000 hours Halogen light: 2,000 – 4,000 hours LED light: 40,000 – 150,000 hours An LED light bulb doesn’t just last longer than its counterparts – it’s more durable. Compared to a fluorescent or incandescent light bulb, LED lights do not break easily. This makes LED lighting options ideal for commercial environments, such as in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
2. LED lighting in commercial spaces offers big cost savings.
LED lighting offers cost savings for businesses on a number of levels. While LED bulbs are more expensive than halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent lamps, they last much longer, thus providing savings over the long term. In addition, as the adoption of LED lighting grows, prices continue to drop. But the savings don’t stop there. Because LED lights last longer, the bulbs don’t have to be changed for years like conventional light bulbs, so overall maintenance costs are lower. Your business saves on labor hours, and workers can focus on more important issues than changing light bulbs. Furthermore, because LED lighting is far more energy efficient, businesses can save money on utility bills and take advantage of incentives offered by utilities for implementing energy efficiency upgrades. Even bigger savings come in the form of LED technology provided via an Energy as a Service (EaaS) model. With EaaS, commercial enterprises can take advantage of LED technology in the same way they do their internet service. Your business can “rent” the LED lights and equipment from the Energy as a Service provider and simply pay a monthly subscription for the energy used. The EaaS model lets businesses take advantage of new tax laws that allow them to treat subscription-type lighting and energy costs as off-balance-sheet expenses rather than capital expenses that have to be depreciated over time. Subscribing to an LED EaaS program, like that offered by WattLogic, keeps debt off your books and lowers your energy bill.
3. LED lights are extremely energy efficient.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), LED lights use about 75-80% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and about 65% less energy than halogen bulbs. For commercial enterprises that need lighting for extended periods of time, whether it’s long working hours, for safety and security in a warehouse or manufacturing facility, or for other uses, switching to LED lights can save millions of dollars annually. For example, WattLogic clients save about 20-55% on their electric utility bills alone just for swapping out old lighting systems for state-of-the-art LED lighting. Thus, the savings offered by longer-lasting lights, very little maintenance, and less energy make LEDs the frontrunner when it comes to lighting commercial spaces. If you’re looking for ways to save energy in a residential setting, here are 25 tips to save energy at home. This chart, provided by the DOE, compares the energy usage of different types of light bulbs:
4. LED lights emit very little heat.
Unlike traditional conventional lighting, LED lighting technology emits very little heat. This means LED lights can be safely left on for extended periods of time. In addition, they reduce the need for cooling in an environment, whether it’s air conditioning in an office or fans in a manufacturing facility.
Safety should always be the top priority of any organization, and when it comes to lighting, the safety risk is heat and fire. The vast majority of power that is used by incandescent bulbs is producing heat vs. light. And the heat intensity increases the longer the bulb is in use. LEDs, on the other hand, emit very little heat no matter how long they’re used.
The reduction in cooling loads offered by LEDs adds to their energy cost savings. In the example of WattLogic’s commercial clients, they experience energy savings in the range of 35% as a result of reduced cooling loads.
In addition, LEDs can operate on low-voltage electrical systems, which adds to their safety aspects.
If you’re interested in how much your business can save with LED lighting and better controls, let us help!
5. LED lighting helps fight climate change.
Energy production is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet the energy efficiency benefits of LED lighting help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. With energy savings of up to 80% compared to traditional lighting, LEDs help commercial enterprises operate in a more environmentally sustainable way while simultaneously saving them money.
Studies show that running a “green” business is good for business. In a report by market research firm Nielsen, 72% of Baby Boomers (age 50-64), 79% of Gen Xers (age 35-49), and 85% of Millennials (age 21-34) say it’s “extremely important for businesses to implement programs to improve the environment.” So, in addition to cost and energy savings, installing commercial LED lighting in your facility is a great PR and marketing move.
6. LED lights are bright.
One of the simpler benefits of LED lighting for commercial spaces is that it can emit a white color that’s similar to sunlight or a warm color like a sunrise or sunset. So, the quality of lighting offered by LEDs can create a better overall experience for employees and customers alike.
LEDs provide instant brightness to an environment without any flickering. They work extremely well in environments where lights are turned on and off continually within short periods of time. This operational speed coupled with superior controls makes LEDs work especially well with motion sensors, such as those used outdoors, or in warehouses, office spaces, and hallways.
7. LED lighting is easily controllable.
Another advantage of LED lighting is directed at commercial environments due to the higher level of control it gives to users. LEDs provide precise directional control, so you can point lights in exact locations without excess energy being wasted where you don’t need lighting. LEDs emit more “focused” light at 180 degrees vs. traditional lights, which emit light at 360 degrees.
LED lights can also be dimmed or can be adjusted to the ideal level of brightness and color desired through a process called color tuning. As natural sunlight changes throughout the day, LEDs can be put on automatic controls that adjust as lighting demands change, thus adding to the workplace mood and environment. The ability to dim LED lights means that businesses have added control over how much energy they use according to lighting needs.
8. LED lights come in a wide variety of colors.
LEDs have superior color rendering capabilities, which makes them extremely flexible for use in a variety of commercial environments. The color versatility means LEDs can be used in a range of applications, such as in signage, displays, overhead lighting, colored spotlights, and more.
9. LED lighting is versatile.
LED lights are very small, so they can be used in an array of applications, either as small, single units or in clusters of thousands or more. This presents an unlimited variety of applications in which they can be used. This proves to be one of the vital benefits of LED lighting.
10. LED lights can be turned on and off quickly.
Unlike traditional lighting, which can take time to warm up, LED lights can be turned on in nanoseconds, so users get adequate lighting immediately. This makes LEDs ideal for outdoor lighting, lighting in hallways and office spaces, manufacturing facilities, traffic and warning lights, and elsewhere. In addition, frequently turning LED lights off and on doesn’t degrade their life expectancy in the way it does traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.
11. LED lighting produces very little ultraviolet (UV) emissions.
LED lighting is particularly useful in environments where objects can degrade under ultraviolet lights. This is because the illumination from LEDs produces little to no UV light and very little infrared light. For example, museums can benefit from LED lighting, which helps to preserve the colors in paintings, tapestries, and other objects.
12. LED lighting can operate in extremely cold temperatures.
The use of LED lighting in facilities of different temperatures is a key area most get confused about. One of the common benefits of LED lighting is that it can function perfectly in high-temperature environments, but on the flip-side systems work well in extremely cold environments, even sub-zero temperatures because they don’t need any time to warm up once they’re turned on.
13. LEDs don’t contain mercury.
While LEDs do contain some lead and other chemicals, they’re free of mercury, which is toxic and can be found in traditional light bulbs. LEDs are not considered toxic by current U.S. laws and can be disposed of in the landfill.
14. LED lights can be recycled.
LEDs contain electronic components, including semiconductors, as well as glass and different metals, which can all be recycled. While most municipal recycling centers do not yet have specific programs in place for recycling LEDs, Energy as a Service LED lighting retrofit contractors, like WattLogic, have their own recycling programs in place. This takes the responsibility of recycling off of clients’ shoulders.
15. LED lighting takes up less space in your facility.
LED lights can come in extremely small sizes, smaller than 1/10th of a square millimeter. And because they emit so much light, even in small sizes, they take up less surface space, which makes them ideal for commercial environments that are trying to conserve space.
16. LED lighting is quiet.
When we think of the benefits of LED lighting, noise is usually not at the top of the list. However, traditional fluorescent lighting can actually be quite noisy, and the buzzing noise level escalates the longer these lights are in use. LED lights operate silently, thus minimizing the distraction of non-essential noises that can detract from workers’ productivity or your customer experience.
It’s not common for a technology to come along that offers wide sweeping benefits for commercial enterprises. But LED lighting is one of those rare exceptions. They definitely fall under the category of no-brainer for all kinds of businesses and other organizations that want to run more efficiently at less cost, while providing an optimal environment for workers and customers.
Those are the key benefits of LED lighting, proving why they are considered an impactful lighting solution and why the audits for LED lighting retrofit projects have been rising.
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Check out how one of our customers Swift Transportation – the largest full-truckload motor carrier in North America, saw the real benefits of LED lighting and hence have made substantial energy savings after partnering with us, not to mention have taken a positive step towards reducing their carbon footprint which is a bonus.
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