Traditional incandescent light bulbs have barely changed since they were invented in the late 19th century. Even the more modern seeming fluorescent lamp has been around for roughly 100 years. Modern businesses are all about innovation and efficiency, yet too many still utilize outdated, inefficient lighting sources.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are made up of semiconductors and, unlike incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, which utilize a filament or gas, the entire bulb emits light when electricity passes through it. This gives LEDs several advantages when it comes to fulfilling commercial lighting needs.
LEDs use roughly half of the energy of a fluorescent bulb, and about one tenth the energy of an incandescent bulb, which is better for the environment, but also better for the wallet. LEDs might be more expensive up front, but they pay for themselves through energy savings, especially for a business with significant lighting needs.
LEDs can last up to 60,000 hours. Compare that to fluorescents, with a 10,000 hour lifespan, or incandescent bulbs, which only last a paltry 1,200 hours. Over the lifespan of one LED, one would have to replace a fluorescent bulb six times, and an incandescent bulb up to 50 times.
The cost savings here are immense. Not only do LEDs require the purchase of far fewer lights, they cut back on the amount of time spent on maintenance.
LED lighting is superior to incandescent and fluorescent in terms of brightness, color, and flexibility. Many who have worked in an office setting know all too well the washed out, off-putting color that fluorescent lights can have. They also tend to flicker and be dim for several minutes after turning on, whereas LEDs provide instant illumination.
LEDs are also far more directional. They can focus light on specific areas, creating an optimum light quality where it’s needed without wasting energy on areas that don’t need as much light. This makes them perfectly suited to be used as spotlights or in businesses that need to achieve a very specific light environment.
Incandescent lights produce a significant amount of heat, which makes them a significant fire hazard. Fluorescent lights are better, but still give off some heat. LEDs, on the other hand, produce almost no heat. That reduces the risk of fires, and just makes the space more comfortable.
LEDs are also not made of glass, so they are far more durable. There’s a much smaller chance of an LED shattering and scattering and does not have the potentially harmful gasses that come with fluorescent lights.
LEDs can also be used in many more environments than other forms of lighting. They are significantly smaller, and can more easily operate on battery power. This makes them ideally suited to temporary lighting needs. They can also work well on roofs or in small spaces where a protruding bulb would be awkward.
