Most homeowners take modern lighting for granted. We never lived in a time when candles provided lighting. All we ever needed to do was flip a switch and have instant access to reliable and safe lighting. But there has been one significant advance in recent years that you might not be aware of or taking advantage of. LED lighting is the newest form of lighting and offers many benefits to homeowners and the planet.
What Are LED Lights
LED stands for light-emitting diode. A diode is a semi-conductor that lets electricity flow in one direction. As the power moves from one diode to the next, light is created. In contrast, an incandescent or traditional light bulb requires a filament that heats up when electricity is added to create heat and light. The LED process is, in most estimates, about 75% more efficient than an incandescent bulb and offers many other benefits as well.
Environmentally-Friendly Light
Incandescent bulbs are the oldest and least efficient on the market. The first innovation led to compact fluorescent bulbs that contain mercury and other toxic compounds. While these bulbs are more energy-efficient, they represent a significant risk to the environment if they are not correctly disposed of. When they are taken to a landfill, the mercury and other toxic materials can contaminate the soil, groundwater, and other materials in the landfill. LED lights contain no toxic or environmentally harmful materials. That eliminates any potential risks related to the disposal of the lights.
Increased Durability
LED lights are infinitely more durable than incandescent lightbulbs. Old-style bulbs were easy to shatter, and the filaments were also prone to breaking. In both cases, the bulb quickly became useless and potentially dangerous. But LED lights will withstand a great deal more abuse because they do not contain the glass bulb or delicate filament. That is not to say that these lights cannot be broken. But in typical use cases, these light sources will withstand much more than a traditional lightbulb.
Complete Flexibility
One of the significant benefits of LED lighting is its versatility. These lights can be fashioned into any shape or design desired, unlike a traditional lightbulb. And their compact size makes them easy to conceal or mount on another surface. Even more exciting is that LEDs offer a great deal of control over the color and level of the lighting to make them perfect for every application you can imagine, from soft mood lighting to a bright, crisp workspace light.
No Emissions
The reason that incandescent lights are so inefficient is that 90% of the energy they consume is lost, creating heat. Only 10% makes the light for the bulb to emit. And it is that heat that is detrimental to the environment. In addition, excessive heat can result in damage to the lightbulb and result in a shortened lifespan. LED lights emit no heat and are also impervious to extreme heat or cold, as are the old-style lightbulbs.
Better Lighting Quality
Old-style light filaments deliver light in a circular pattern. The entire filament lights up and distributes light in a 360-degree pattern. In the case of LED lights, the light is emitted in a single direction. This allows the user to focus the light where it is needed without wasting light or energy to create unwanted light.
To learn more about the benefits of LED lighting, call (703) 463-9866. The licensed electricians at Circuit Doctors have been helping customers reduce their electricity costs with LED light fixtures and applications for years. In addition, we provide a no-obligation price quote for every job and a full warranty on our work.
