Why Switch to LED Lighting?
Lighting can say a lot about a space. The fixtures and type of light you put in your home can convey different feelings and emotions that you as the homeowner get to design and play with. A chandelier can make your dining room feel luxurious and expensive. A reading lamp near your favorite chair creates a warm and inviting space.
Fixtures aren’t the only component of lighting that allows you to curate the perfect lighting scape of your home or commercial space. You can take your customization even further with the choice of lightbulbs.
Our recommendation? LEDs.
LEDs aren’t only for residential use. Costs can add up quickly in any commercial facility. It’s important as an operator of one of those facilities to consider all your options and find ways to save money and increase efficiency. This is where LED lighting is a great solution for you.
What are LEDs?
Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are a semiconductor device that gives off light when an electric current passes through. In contrast, traditional light bulbs use a filament, heat, and energy to do the same.
LED’s were developed by multiple people in different stages. Two employees of Texas Instruments found that a certain diode emitted infrared light when connected to a current. This was a big discovery, but the light was not visible to the human eye. So, General Electric employee Nick Holonyak Jr. developed a visible red LED. Finally, in 1972 M. George Craford invented the first yellow LED.
Since then, LEDs have been further developed and improved upon to create the great technology and variety we have today.
Benefits
Read on to learn more about these wonderful bulbs, technology, and the benefits of choosing them to light your home or commercial facility.
Cost
When first developed, LEDs were very expensive and therefore not widely used. The price slowly over time began to dwindle but was still relatively costly in the early 2010s at $45-50 a piece.
The price change didn’t stop there! Now, you can purchase an LED bulb for $5-10 or less and fill a space with efficient, long-lasting light!
Switching to LEDs isn’t always simply changing the bulb out. You may require the work of an electrician to install or adjust fixtures in order to properly take the LEDs. This labor is an upfront cost, however, keep in mind the savings you’ll accumulate over the years with your efficient lighting.
Efficiency
About 20% of the entire world’s electricity is used for lighting. LEDs make a huge impact on this number as they are extremely efficient. If you're ready to reduce energy usage and costs, LED lights are a great option for your space.
About 80% of traditional light bulb energy is lost through heat emissions, while only 20% is used to create light. LEDs on the other hand, lose only 10-20% to other forms of energy, and 80-90% is used to create light.
This energy-saving bulb will lower your energy consumption and cost.
Lifetime
Nothing is worse than when a lightbulb goes out and you need to go all the way to the store to replace it. A standard incandescent light bulb will last about 1000 hours, while your new LED light will last about 50,000!
With an LED light, you won’t need to make that extra trip to the store for at least 5 years! And, your business won’t have to factor in extra bulb costs every year.
Variety
LED light technology has come a long way in variety and style. There is a wide array of designs and options available to fit your fixtures and taste. If you’re looking to make a bold statement with your lighting, there are even an assortment of different colored bulbs that you can use to further customize your space’s lighting design!
Safe
Because they don’t use heat to create their light, LED bulbs are not hot to the touch, making them a safer lighting option for your family and home. They are also often made of plastic, meaning they are less likely to shatter if they were to fall or be dropped.
Disposing of Old Lightbulbs
Now that you’ve learned all about your new, favorite, energy saving lights, how can you dispose of the old, traditional bulbs? Incandescent and halogen light bulbs can be thrown into your household trash, but are also recyclable at some recycling centers.
Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be disposed of with care. Try to take these to your local recycling center to allow them to handle the bulbs responsibly!
Lighting Services
If you have more questions about LED lighting or are in need of lighting installation and repairs, give Capital City Electrical Services, LLC a call (770) 999-9610!