What is an LED light?
An LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode.”
A diode is a solid-state device that allows electrical current to flow in a single direction. Due to the arrangement of the materials in the diode, as electrons pass through it, they shed extra energy as photons. This light is emitted in a specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors and diffusers.
Compare this to the operation of incandescent lights, which are very inefficient.
A standard light bulb produces light because electricity is poured through a wire that produces resistance to the electrical flow. The resistance causes the wire to get white-hot and produce light and heat.
Because a standard light bulb produces light and heat by resisting electrical flow, it requires up to 5 times the amount of energy to produce the same amount of light as an LED.
How do LED lights compare to fluorescent lights?
Since the 1970’s, fluorescent bulbs have been used to reduce electrical costs in commercial and home environments. However, fluorescent bulbs have several key problems:
1. Turning fluorescent lights on and off reduces their lifespan.
Fluorescent bulbs can actually have a shorter lifespan than cheap incandescent bulbs, depending on how they are used.
Compare this to our Generation-3 T8 LED lamp which has an expected life of 70,000 hours and an industry-leading 10-year warranty. LED light does not lose its light tone during the lifetime and is not affected by turning on/off
2. Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury
Mercury is a very poisonous substance. When a fluorescent bulb breaks, even the glass can be a hazard and must be disposed of carefully and correctly.
LED lights do not contain mercury.
3. LED lights are easier on the eyes.
Fluorescent bulbs flicker. This can at times be barely detectable, or it can be unbearable. They also produce UV rays. LED lights are a continuous light source and they don’t produce UV rays. Additionally, you won’t hear the buzz or hum that is common with fluorescent lighting.
Why are LED lights rated in lumens instead of watts?
Traditional incandescent bulbs get brighter by using more energy. Due to this relationship, it made sense that the brightness of these bulbs was described by how much energy they used.
However, LED lights use so few watts that the measurement became useless for describing their ability to light a space.
Instead, LED lights are measured in lumens, which is simply a measurement of how much visible light is emitted from a source.
LED lights can produce both bright white or warm lighting, depending on the application. Gateway LED is happy to consult with you to discover which LED lighting solution is right for your specific application. Complete our free LED lighting evaluation now.