The 411 on LED Lighting
In this blog post we will be uncovering LED light bulbs – their advantages and the reasons why you should invest in LED. If you are debating whether to take the bold move to swap out your energy-wasting halogen bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs, then our 411 on LED lighting will guide you to making your decision:
The early beginnings of LED
LED stands for light emitting diode and the first practical visible LED was created in 1962 by scientist Nick Holonyak Junior. Funnily enough, Holonyak was not trying to find a solution to incandescent lights, but instead he was trying to create a laser light. Astounded by his newly found creation of a red coloured LED, Holonyak, decided to turn it into a lamp. Within the same year, the first LED lamps were invented and available on the market for a staggering $260! A decade later, green and yellow LEDs were created by Holonyak’s students.
LEDs started appearing in circuit boards in 1964, digital watches in 1970s and towards the end of the 1980s, they started to appear in traffic and brake lights.
They were limited by high prices and low light output, but as time passed, technology improved and nowadays, you can buy super bright LED light bulbs that replace 100W incandescent bulbs with the look and feel of a traditional bulb. Holonyak predicted that LED would replace those energy-hungry, incandescent light bulbs that originally propelled the world out of darkness. Holonyak did not think that it would take 50 years for LED lights to become commonplace in homes.
Nowadays, LEDs are being specified for all environments, not just homes, including offices, retail, warehouses, distribution, car parks, leisure and even the hospitality sector.
Advantages of LED lights
There are many advantages of using LED lights – both from an energy saving and environmentally-friendly view. Below we detail the advantages of using LED lights and how they compare to the bulbs they have superseded – the notorious energy-wasting incandescents.
Less energy = lower bills!
They are the most energy-efficient lights to be invented. Using up to 95% less energy than those notorious, energy-wasting incandescents – LED lights pay for themselves through energy savings (usually within a few months). Funding for your new LED lights may be initially high, but you will notice a difference in your energy bills. If you are a business and are looking for additional help towards funding your LED lighting upgrade, check out our BrightPlan leasing plan here.
Longer lifespans = less worry!
LED lights last longer than traditional lights as they use less energy (as explained above). Factors that also affect LED lifespan include; how you use it and the type of LED light you purchase – don’t expect a £4 LED spotlight to last you ten years, it won’t! However, if you invest in the LED itself and are willing to pay a little more, coupled with a decent guarantee against failure, your investment in LED will be worthwhile. All Goodlight LED lamps and luminaires are backed by a comprehensive 5 Year Guarantee.
Instant On = no warm up!
With a flick of a switch, or from the detection of movement (sensor models), LEDs give out their light instantly when switched on. No more waiting around for a dimmed light to warm up. LED lights are instant and provide bright light to those dark spaces.
Low temperatures = no problem!
Tests carried out show that LED lights work great in environments where temperatures are low – such as in cold storage and refrigeration. Compact fluorescent lamps do not perform well in colder temperatures, whereas LEDs are perfect for these conditions – making them ideal for supermarkets.
No toxins = eco-friendly!
LED lights are free from toxic chemicals, making them not only environmentally-friendly, but better for your health, too. Fluorescent lights also contain mercury gas which is dangerous for the environment. The illumination provided by an LED gives off zero UV emissions, making LED lights suitable for humid environments.
Why should I invest in LED?
The reason why you should invest in LED lighting is because they are the most energy-efficient lights on the market, not only do they last longer compared to incandescents, they also provide bright instant illumination when switched on. Quality can vary so it is important that you choose LED lights from a reputable manufacturer – look out for guarantees and check tech specs so that you are comparing like-for-like.
So now that you are armed with all of the information on why you should invest in LED lighting, why don’t you take a look at our LED lighting products? We have two brands – Goodlight commercial LED lamps and luminaires and our Bright Goods range of filament-style LED lamps.
View the Goodlight range here
View the Bright Goods range here
