LED lighting provides a number of benefits, far outstripping their more traditional, incandescent cousins. Their name, LED, stands for “light emitting device”—not a very fancy name, but these lights are anything but common. While many people are put-off by the slightly higher price of LEDs, most do not realize that LEDs pay for themselves many times over before they finally die out. A standard incandescent light bulb will last two, maybe three years at the outside. An LED light bulb will last over ten years, and is perfect for indoor, outdoor, residential or industrial use.
Anywhere you use a typical light bulb, you can use an LED, and to greater effect. This list comprises just some of their uses and features.
- Typical bulbs generally have to have one size and dimension. Because they have to have a filament, all the bulbs have to have enough height to accommodate that filament and its support wires. LED lights, however, can be made almost flat. They are great for outdoor flood lighting because they often do not require the same casing (which creates a shadow), that these standard light bulbs need. LEDs provide a safer environment and greater lighting possibilities.
- LEDs are also more environmentally sound. Not only do they have to be replaced less frequently—meaning there is less waste from the industry—but they also use less energy than an incandescent light bulb. While the initial investment may be more, the amount of power an LED will consume is far less, bringing you great savings to your energy bill every month. Outside of the monetary benefits, saving power reduces your carbon footprint and helps eliminate pollution.
- Unlike typical bulbs, which will heat up the longer they are in use, LED lights do not heat up. This makes them perfect for outdoor lighting. Landscapers will often use these lights to accent bushes and trees, areas that might be dangerous for a standard bulb, but are perfectly safe for LEDs. In children’s rooms, small spaces, and bathrooms, where lights might often come into contact with someone’s skin, are also great places to put one of these low-heat lights.
- Another reason landscapers are now shifting towards the use of LEDs is their durability. These lights can be rained on, snowed on, covered in sand, and even stepped on, and they will endure it all. The highest quality LEDs last more than seventeen years, which may be longer than you even own your house.
- Many people have the misconception that LED lights are harsh, but LEDs now come in a variety of tints and washes. They can be very diffuse and yellow, or they can be white and bright. It all depends on your needs and what kind of light you need in your space.
If you are looking for a way to reduce your energy bills, LEDs are the way to go. They burn cool and constantly, making them perfect for either safety outdoor lighting, in the lamps around your house, or as workspace lighting in your office.
