Why Switch to LED
LED Technology has drastically improved in the last few years. Radiance Energy partners with leading industry manufacturers to provide the best quality and highest energy-saving LED solutions on the market.
Longer Life Span
Easily the most significant advantage of LEDs when compared to traditional lighting solutions is the long lifespan. The average LED lasts 50,000 operating hours to 100,000 operating hours or more. That is 2-4 times as long as most fluorescent, metal halide, and even sodium vapor lights. It is more than 40 times as long as the average incandescent bulb.
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Less frequent replacement means two big things: lower maintenance costs in terms of labor and lower costs for replacement parts (because the bulbs simply do not fail for a long time).
LED Energy Efficiency
LEDs generally consume very low amounts of power. The statistics to look for when comparing the energy efficiency of different lighting solutions are called by one of two terms: luminous efficacy or useful lumens. These two items essentially describe the amount of light emitted per unit of power (watts) consumed by the bulb. In our experience most LED lighting retrofit projects result in a 60-75% improvement in the overall energy efficiency of the facility’s lighting. Depending on the existing lights and the particular LEDs installed, the savings could be more than 90%.
LEDs Generate Directional Emissions
LED technology emits light for only 180 degrees. Every other type of light emits light 360 degrees around the source. 360 degree emissions necessitate accessory devices to reflect and/or redirect the light. This drives up the costs for the system in general and inevitably results in losses meaning that the device is necessarily less efficient than it otherwise would be. Consider a light that emits light into the ceiling - that is your standard bulb. The problem is that you’re trying to illuminate the room, not the ceiling. LEDs solve this problem completely and give the savings back in terms of the system’s overall energy efficiency.
LEDs Have Great Color Rendering Index (CRI)
CRI is a measurement of a light’s ability to reveal the actual color of objects as compared to an ideal light source (natural light). High CRI is generally a desirable characteristic (although of course, it depends on the required application). LEDs generally have very high (good) ratings when it comes to CRI.
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Perhaps the best way to appreciate CRI is to look at a direct comparison between LED lighting (with a high CRI) and a traditional lighting solution like sodium vapor lamps (which generally have poor CRI ratings and are in some cases almost monochromatic). See the following image to compare and contrast the two instances:
LED Dimming Capability
LEDs are able to operate at a virtually any percentage of their rated power (0 to 100%). Of note, they do require hardware specific to LED technology in order to dim (meaning you cannot use the dimming equipment for an incandescent bulb or other traditional lighting technology). A positive of operating LEDs at less than full power is that they get more efficient as the power is reduced. This also increases the total lifespan of the light itself. Both of those advantages are absent with technologies like metal halides that actually get less efficient at lower power and in many cases cannot be dimmed at all.
Energy Efficiency Comparison
Incandescent
Fluorescent
LED
10% Light
90% Heat
20% Light
80% Heat
80% Light
20% Heat
Improved Safety With LEDs
Safety is perhaps the most often overlooked advantage when it comes to LED lighting. The number one hazard when it comes to lighting is the emission of heat. LEDs emit almost no forward heat while traditional bulbs like incandescents convert more than 90% of the total energy used to power them directly into heat. That means only 10% of the energy powering incandescent lights is actually used for light (which also makes them extremely inefficient compared to LEDs). Additionally, because LEDs consume less power they can operate effectively on low-voltage electrical systems. These are generally much safer in the event that something goes wrong.
CRI Correction
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LEDs help align circadian rhythm
Eliminating a person’s exposure to daylight and the temporal cues it provides can have consequences on their circadian rhythm. Lighting with certain blue wavelengths are known to suppress the production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps us relax and fall asleep. Reduced melatonin leads to heightened alertness and can potentially increase productivity, though extended suppression will also make it more difficult to fall asleep and can upset normal sleep patterns.
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Recent developments in LED lighting technology allow LEDs to mimic the stimulus provided by natural light, promoting a healthy and regular circadian rhythm. When natural sunlight is insufficient, exposure to highly-tuned LED light at the targeted blue wavelengths for a limited duration during the day can be an effective substitute. Likewise, warm lighting has less blue light and thus does not suppress melatonin to the same level. Transitioning to warm lighting can help encourage a normal sleep pattern.
The Health Benefits of LED Lighting
Studies by international consulting organizations and health care providers have expanded on this use of LED lighting to form the broader concept of “human centric lighting” or HCL. This concept is not unique or specific to LED lighting, but it does focus on the health benefits of exposing individuals to variable wavelengths of lighting during the day in order to modulate mood-altering melatonin levels. Because of their versatility and ability to generate specific and highly-tuned light wavelengths, LED lights are ideal for HCL applications. Health care counselors are looking in particular at using HCL theories to treat individuals who suffer from depression or anxiety disorders.
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LED lighting engineers have also focused extensively on controlling and eliminating light flicker in LED products. Light flicker has been linked with headaches and other health problems that reduce productivity and a general sense of well-being.
LEDs decrease stress and anxiety
Humans naturally thrive in sunlight, meaning we’re more likely to struggle with behavior and mood changes when lighting doesn’t mimic natural environments. This can lead to increased anxiety, stress and even Seasonal Affective Disorder, a potentially serious condition that requires treatment, like light therapy, to help regulate melatonin production and relieve symptoms. Though work, school and other commitments may prevent many people from consistently spending time outdoors during the day, LED lighting can offer help. Because of its ability to mimic the mood effects and circadian impact of natural light, LED lighting has been associated with decreased levels of stress and anxiety in indoor environments.
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Due to advancements in color tuning and lighting control technology, it is now possible to imitate the complex nature of daylight indoors and improve users’ health and wellness.
LEDs increase productivity and learning performance
Unpleasant flickering and brightness from overhead fluorescent lights can be a common occurrence in the classroom setting. Prioritizing lighting in educational building design, including proper light sources, levels and color temperatures, supports wellness. In addition, modern LED technology produces less heat and can help regulate facility temperature and lower lighting fixture count while reducing the need for overhead lighting. When LEDs are applied in a learning environment, research suggests that learning performance is increased due to these reasons.
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Organizations that implement LED lighting in office spaces and work areas have recognized increased productivity levels. Recent studies show immediate and powerful benefits for workers' productivity, health and company or building brand image. WELL building standards (focused on health and wellness of people), LED standards, thermal conditions, lighting design and lighting quality influence workers' perception of their space as well as their cognitive function and overall performance.
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Environmental Benefits of LED Lighting
No Toxic Elements
LED lights contain no toxic elements. Most offices currently use fluorescent strip lights which contain noxious chemicals such as mercury. This will contaminate the environment when disposed of in landfill waste. Disposal has to be arranged through a registered waste carrier so switching to LED avoids the cost and time implications required for compliant disposal – and helps to protect the environment from further toxic waste.
Less Lights Needed
LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in one direction as opposed to other types of lighting which waste energy by emitting light in all directions, often illuminating areas where light isn’t required (such as the ceiling). This means that less LED lights are needed to achieve the same level of brightness given off by fluorescents and incandescent lights. Fewer lights will reduce energy consumption and will therefore be a benefit to the environment.
Higher Efficiency and Life Span
LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights. 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat and only 5% into light! LED lights also draw much less power than traditional lighting; a typical 84 watt fluorescent can be replaced by a 36 watt LED to give the same level of light. Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.​
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A longer life span means lower carbon emissions. LED Lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the requirement for frequent replacements. This results in using fewer lights and hence fewer resources are needed for manufacturing processes, packaging materials and transportation
LED's use semiconductor diodes which converts electricity into photons
Movement of electrons is what makes LED bulbs glow
LED's are an energy efficient and environmentally friendly light source
LEDs can be used to generate lights of infrared, visible and close to ultraviolent ray wavelength
LEDs do not have filament or mercury and are made out of plastic
LEDs last 60 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
Conventional Lighting
LED Lighting
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Mercury can result in environmental damage when exposed
When electricity passes through filament, tungsten becomes hot and starts to emit light
Filament can be dangerous and potentially burn
In fluorescent light, electric arc is used to excite the mercury atoms.
Mercury atoms emit UV radiation
Radiation strikes the phosphor coated inner surface of the tube and is converted into visible light
Incandescent bulbs have tungsten filaments inside