Over the years, we've witnessed tremendous technological advancements in light bulbs. Today, you have a variety of options for lighting your home or business.
By now, you have probably heard of LED bulbs and their unique eco-friendly proposition. LED bulbs are the gold standard for lighting but have pros and cons like all other innovations. Here at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our Centennials and Denver electricians break down the pros and cons of LED lights.
Nobody loves a poorly lit home, and you aren't any different, right? Read on to understand if it's worth upgrading to LED lights from traditional light bulbs.
Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are bulbs with semiconductors that emit light when current passes through them. The diodes are unidirectional and contain two conductive surfaces that work in tandem to illuminate your home. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which create light by heating a filament, LEDs operate cooler — which is a big part of why they're so much more efficient.
Here are some of the advantages of using LED lights:
LED lamps have become popular due to their high energy efficiency. LED lights are 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent and halogen light sources. The high lumen/watt output means you get more light at lower energy costs.
LED doesn't use heat to produce light like incandescent bulbs hence the unparalleled energy saving. Statistically, you can replace your 84-watt fluorescent bulb with a 36-watt LED bulb.
To put that in more precise terms: warm white LED lighting produces 27–54 lumens per watt (lm/W), while cool white LED lighting produces 60–92 lm/W. Compare that to just 10–18 lm/W for incandescent bulbs and 35–60 lm/W for CFLs, and it's clear LEDs are doing far more with far less electricity, regardless of which color temperature you choose.
LED lights are known for their lifespan and durability. High-quality LED bulbs can operate efficiently for up to 100,000 hours — that's 50 times more than conventional incandescent lighting. More typical consumer-grade LED bulbs run closer to 25,000 hours, which still works out to 20 years or more of everyday use. Either way, you're replacing bulbs far less often than with incandescent lighting.
Another benefit worth mentioning is how the lights enervate. LED bulbs emit less bright light gradually as they age, instead of burning out once.
Manufacturers make the LED bulbs with sturdy materials enabling them to withstand vibrations. You will significantly cut replacement and new purchase costs when using LED lights.
LED lights present the most eco-friendly lighting solutions available in the advent of climate concerns. The lamps contain no mercury or other toxic components; hence you can dispose of them after use. Also, low energy consumption means they significantly reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming.
The light-emitting diodes don't produce infrared heat. 80% of the energy in LED bulbs is light, while the other 20% is heat energy. Incandescent bulbs are vice versa. Halogen lights produce more heat than the two. High heat emitting lights pose fire risks and can burn your hand if you touch them for long periods. LED lighting has no fire hazard.
You can configure LED lights to issue different colors. Standard colors are red, blue, green, and white. The diodes interchange colors on the spectrum based on the electric current.
When you flip the switch, the LED bulb lights the room instantly. There is no warm-up period like in incandescent bulbs. The transit from zero to full brightness occurs in nanoseconds.
Two things make a real difference in how satisfied you'll be with an LED upgrade, beyond just picking a bulb: directionality and color temperature.
Directional light. Incandescent bulbs cast light all over the room, which means more shadows and less focused light where you actually need it. LEDs, by contrast, are directional — you have more control over exactly where the light falls. That makes them especially well-suited to task lighting: kitchens where you're chopping and measuring, workbenches, reading nooks, anywhere you need concentrated light rather than ambient glow.
Color temperature. LED bulbs are rated using a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on the Kelvin (K) scale, and that number tells you the tone of the light before you even turn it on. Lower Kelvin numbers produce a yellower, warmer light; higher Kelvin numbers produce a bluer, cooler light. Warm light tends to suit ambient living spaces — bedrooms, living rooms — while cooler, bluer light works better for reading and task work. Picking the right temperature for each room matters as much as picking the right brightness.
While LED lights have numerous benefits, here are some of the disadvantages that you should expect when using them.
Many people steer clear of LED lighting due to the significant upfront costs. The initial purchase and installation cost surpasses all light alternatives' prices. Pricing varies significantly too. You would expect to pay more for a longer-lasting LED bulb and a few dollars less for a shorter-lasting LED bulb.
However, the long-term benefits offset the initial investment. LED lights save more money in the long run than incandescent bulbs.
Dimmers bring different lighting patterns to create visual effects in retail premises. Not all LED lights are dimmer compatible. LED lighting may not be ideal if you have your heart set on using dimmers for your home or restaurant.
LED lights produce more blue light, in contrast to incandescent "warmer" light. The blue light exceeds the limit specifications in ANSI/IESNA RP-27.1-05. Excessive blue light disrupts the circadian rhythm, and you can have problems falling asleep or waking up. It is good practice to avoid LED light fixtures in your bedroom.
LED lights depend on ambient temperature to operate. Overdriving the light source will overheat the internal components causing it to fail. Use heat sinks to counter the heating concerns if you opt for LED lighting for a larger premise.
Not all LED bulbs are created equal, and a poor-quality bulb won't deliver the efficiency or lifespan numbers above. Low-quality LEDs can fall well short on both brightness and longevity. Look for the Energy Star label when shopping, or ask your Denver lighting expert at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical for a recommendation before you buy.
LED lights are eco-friendly and energy-efficient light sources. There are minor snags in ensuring you get the most out of LED lighting — dimmer compatibility, upfront cost, and bulb quality all deserve a second thought before you buy. But for most homes and businesses, the long-term savings and lifespan far outweigh those tradeoffs. At Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our Denver lighting specialists use up-to-par LED lights that guarantee safety and top-notch lighting.
Make the switch by contacting the Denver and Centennial electricians at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical to illuminate your home or business.
Some fixes are simple. Others need a pro’s touch. If you’re unsure, let Bell take a look—we even offer free second opinions. Call us today!
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