Why LED Lights Are Better Alternatives to CFL and Incandescent Lights
If you are looking for ways to economize on your energy expenses and at the same time doing your bit for keeping things eco-friendly, a few options might have come your way. The first and most obvious was the replacement of regular, incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly ones. On the chapter of eco-friendly light bulbs you have heard names like LED or CFL, but what is the real difference between all the aforementioned products and why is one better than the other?
Incandescent light sources are the classical light sources everyone is, or has been, up until a few years ago, accustomed with. They are made of thin metal filaments, which, when crossed by electric current emanate light and heat. While lighting is not the only use of the incandescent mechanism, it is the most widespread. This type of lighting has been condemned for the massive amount of energy it requires for functioning.
CFL or compact fluorescent light was proposed as an alternative to incandescent light because of the fact that it uses far less energy than an incandescent light bulb while offering the same amount of light in kitchen lighting and bathroom lighting. The CFL will save money on your electricity bill and also have a far lower greenhouse gas emission than regular light bulbs. Unfortunately, while representing a huge step up from incandescent lighting, the CFL cause another problem, which is, disposability. CFL are known to contain mercury, which means that they need to be disposed of in special recycling containers on one hand, and on the other, that during recycling the mercury and other pollutants would get released into the atmosphere. New generation CFLs are produced with a minimal amount of mercury in their composition, none the less the problem, albeit minimized, still exists.
LED, or light emitting diodes seem to be the light source of the future. They combine the low energy usage of the CFL with good disposability. Since they don’t contain any dangerous material, they are far more easily disposed of and recycled without a high danger of pollution. Even though LED technology has existed for a while, they have only gained popularity in recent years, when the technique has been perfected and when the interest in LED’s amazing green attributes have started being exploited. It is quite certain that LED lighting will replace most of the other light sources in the future, and it is only natural that it be so, since the low energy consumption and the low pollutant potential truly recommend it as the light source of the future.
If you are interested in going green with your lighting utilities, your best bet would be LED lighting.
Filed under: lighting
Yes,I feel that LEDs are suitable option and a better alternative than CFLs.We want a healthier environment for our future generations.So,lets help save mother earth by not exploiting her.I have already ditched CFLs for LEDs.
Let’s go green:
http://61.12.17.236/studylite/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=12
I have a better alternative to lighting!
It is called Induction Lighting and it blows all of those light bulbs out of the water. They last up to 100,000 hours and save about 60% on your electrical bill.
Check it out:
http://economicbulbs.com/index.html
Interesting read. I agree with most of what was said. Marketers, and businesspeople in general, have a long way to go, but we are getting there. Also, save the environment!
LEDs are definitely the direction lighting is moving. Yes induction lighting lasts much longer than our current lighting options but the light output is just not there. Anyone who has seen induction lighting fixtures will agree. You may say well lumen per watt they are close to LED fixtures (induction generally 80 lumen per watt and LED anywhere from 90 – 110 lumen per watt). The main problem looking at lumen per watt is that you do not take into account all the lost lumens that are not emitted in the preferred direction, this is why we add reflectors but reflectors are not highly efficient and do not redirect all the lumen in the preferred direction . Whereas LED fixtures can place every lumen in the preferred direction and optimal location. So basically we are maximizing the lumens in LED fixture whereas induction and other fluorescence lose many lumen since light is emitted in every direction.
We are focusing on commercial lighting, mainly because all the tax incentives for cutting energy costs. Here is one of our LED fixtures. It is very efficient and is maintenance free for expected 10+years. Also, it contains no mercury and is American made.
Here is our website:
http://www.solarlightingitl.com
The problem with the argument with LED and Induction is redundant. Its like arguing Solar and wind. Two completely different arguments. We sell LED and Induction and both applications are different. I have a white paper by the Lighting Research institute that says LED is no good yet all the sales and marketing says it is. Why slam induction as no good when its Metal Halides and HPS that are the bad lights. Push for energy savings regardless of the technology and not just your agenda because you have LED’s for sale.
Of course, in today’s world, we are all being encouraged to discard those ancient incandescent bulbs for the new compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED), which for most of us seem really expensive to buy.
CFL lighting:
As a replacement for your average screw in light bulb, CFL bulbs are an excellent option. In simplest terms, CFLs are a miniature version of the common fluorescent light, using an electrical current to make phosphor gas glow. Older CFLs use magnetic ballasts which usually cause a delay and/or flicker when they are turned on, however most new CFLs use electronic ballasts that eliminate this. When compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs are approximately four times as efficient; a 25 Watt CFL will have the same light output as a 100 Watt incandescent. They also last up to 10 times longer, meaning that over the life of a standard CFL, you would expect to have used 10 incandescent bulbs. Unlike a regular fluorescent light, a CFL gives off light that looks just like a standard incandescent.
LED Lighting:
Recently, advances in technology have given rise to LED lighting as a replacement for the traditional incandescent bulb. LEDS are small, solid light bulbs which drive their light in one direction or in cones of varying width depending on the bulb design. Traditionally this type of directional lighting has been used for task lighting, flashlights and headlamps. However, grouping these light in clusters and applying new designs have led to the LED as an extremely energy efficient replacement for the standard incandescent bulb. A LED style bulb will generally last approximately 100 times as long as an incandescent; meaning that over the life of a standard LED style bulb, you would expect to have used 100 incandescent bulbs! When compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs are approximately six times as efficient; in simplest terms a 16 Watt LED style bulb will have the same light output as a 100 Watt incandescent.