People are actually now starting to see the value of environmental sustainability in preserving our planet for future generations. The energy saving light bulb has the ability to play a big part and for sure the new LED bulbs. But are they as impressive as the press say and are they in reality worth the investment? In this short and to the point article I shall deliver an insight into the technology of LED Bulbs and also supply data regarding the energy saving and environmental advantages. This ought to enable you to make a better choice in whether to opt for LED‘s.
LED Bulbs and their technology
Light emitting diode technology, which includes semi-conductors and has been around since the early 1960’s, is used for LED‘s. The technology for these lamps allows very small units, typically of 1 square millimetre, to be made and in a spectrum of colours. Also LED‘s are characteristically very reliable and can withstand knocks and bangs widening their appeal. The power constraint of the early units meant that usage was tied to applications,for instance electronic unit displaysbut the technological advancement basically means that they are now used in general lighting applications.
Energy saving characteristics.
If we take a 25 watt halogen downlighter as a comparator then approximately the same level of light output can be obtained from a 3W LED MR16. Using this example, one can enjoy an energy saving of around 80% over using older-type halogen lamps. The energy saving will significantly reduce electricity costs but furthermore the reduced loading on the wiring system, means that in places transformers are used they will be under smaller load and are less likely to fail.
Price details of LED bulbs
The price of LED‘s is dramatically more than either incandescent, halogen or CFL bulbs, but with advancements in technology then the price now means they are an economical price. The other crucial consideration when looking at cost savings is that ordinarily LED lamps will last around 30000 hours which is 20-30 times longer than a older-type bulb.
A good technique to quantify the savings of using LED bulbs is to consider the cost of buying and running a LED bulb until it breaks down and comparing this to cost of buying and running equivalent traditional bulbs. Using this evaluation then the lifetime cost saving works out to be between £100 and £300 per lamp.
The effect on your carbon footprint of using LED bulbs.
The environmental benefits of using LED‘s are 3 fold:-
1. LED lamps have a exceptionally long lifespan compared to conventional bulbs and as a consequence the level of landfill is greatly reduced.
2. When electricity is generated using oil and coal stations then it produces large quantities of carbon dioxide. The low energy consumption results in a large decrease in your carbon footprint.
3. LED‘s unlike CFL‘s do not contain mercury or any other hazardous substances which are harmful to the environment.
These 3 eco benefits offer clear facts as to why LED bulbs are the favoured option when compared to halogen or certainly CFL technology for energy saving light bulbs. In time these benefits mean that it is anticipated that LED technology will take over as the predominant choice.
Take a look at these LED bulbs to review the alternatives discussed in the article.
Author: Paul Nigel Towers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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