If you want to save on your energy bills – and who doesn’t? – switching over to LED lights is a great place to start. LEDs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, and they use at least 75% less energy.
What exactly are LEDs?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs use an entirely different method of producing light than incandescent bulbs.
Incandescent bulbs are not that far removed from getting light from fire. With incandescents, power causes a filament to heat up, glowing and producing light. LEDs produce light in a completely different way. LEDs use semiconductor materials to create light through a so-called “cold process.” When power is applied to them, the movement of electrons stimulates the material, producing photons – visible light, called electroluminescence.
But it’s not how LEDs work that’s important. What’s important is what they can do to improve your life.
The advantages of LED lighting: What you should know
LEDs and incandescent bulbs have many differences. Incandescent bulbs project light in all directions at once. LEDs project light in specified degree spreads, so you can control how broad or narrow your lighting is.
LEDs use much less power than incandescent bulbs, and produce almost no heat. Incandescent bulbs use an average of time times more power to product the same amount of light as LED bulbs.
LEDs function very well in harsh environments, and can be used in temperatures ranging from -40 F to 180 F. LEDs do not require warm-up time to reach full brightness, unlike compact fluorescents. And LEDs last far longer – with estimates of three to ten years of continuous use, or 25,000 – 100,000 hours. Compare that to an average of 1,200 hours for an incandescent bulb.
LEDs will save you real money. Paying for 30 incandescent bulbs for one year will cost you around $330. The equivalent lighting using LEDs costs only $33! That’s a huge difference.
LEDs are an environmentally-friendly choice as well. LEDs contain no mercury like compact florescent bulbs do, and because of their lower-energy consumption, they produce lower levels of carbon dioxide emissions.
LEDs are growing rapidly as a preferred lighting choice, and new options are becoming available all the time. Under-cabinet lighting for kitchens, recessed downlights, directional flood and spotlights, holiday lights and industrial and commercial lighting are all new areas where LED lighting is increasing.
Even holiday lights are available in LEDs. They are cooler and have much less fire risk; and they are tougher, able to withstand jostling and bumping without having the glass or filament break. Plus, they’re easier to install – you can plug up to 25 LED light strings end-to-end into the same socket without overloading it. And, you can still be using the same light string for the next 40 years! And, you’ll spend only a fraction of the cost – usually only one-tenth of the cost of incandescent bulbs.
Changing over to LED lighting today will cut your bills dramatically and help the environment. Why keep throwing good money away? Make the switch today.
LEDs will light the way for a brighter future for you and your family.
Contact Scott at A Great Break Electric and Alarm today to find out more energy saving tips and to secure the most reliable electrician in Tacoma Washington!
