LED Lighting: Environmentally Friendly Technology with Positive Impact

LED lighting provides many benefits for businesses and consumers alike—especially as technology advances through the decade.

However, one of the biggest benefits of LED lighting is reducing our impact on the environment.

Making the switch to LED lighting is an important step in helping to protect our environment. Not only is it a more energy-efficient form of lighting, but it also produces no emissions or pollutants that can harm the air we breathe and the land we inhabit. This makes LED lighting one of the most eco-friendly options available for illuminating your home or business.

Below, we’ll dive into the reasons why LED lighting is the best choice for reducing our environmental footprint. But first, let’s talk about what LED lighting really is.

What is LED Lighting, and How Does it Work?

LED lighting is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly form of illumination that has gained immense popularity since its invention. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) light comprises two main components: the diode itself and an encapsulating package. The diode is the source of the light, while the encapsulation package protects it from the environment and other elements.

The diode itself consists of a semiconductor material that contains electrons that are able to move freely between two layers when electricity is applied. When this happens, electrons move from one layer to another, releasing photons, also known as light, as they do so. This process creates a bright white light that can be used for various applications, such as indoor lighting, street lights, and spotlights.

The package surrounding the diode is designed to protect it from outside influences like moisture, dust, and other environmental factors that could potentially damage it over time. It’s also designed to dissipate heat away from the diode so that it doesn’t become too hot and burn out prematurely.

What Makes LED Lighting Environmentally Friendly?

Let’s dive into some of the reasons why LED lighting is more environmentally friendly than other alternatives.

Higher Efficiency

LED lighting is exceptionally efficient, with as much as 85% of the electricity used being converted to light. This efficiency is far better than traditional incandescent bulbs, which only convert around 10-15% of their energy into light. Because LED bulbs produce very little heat, much less energy is wasted in the form of heat compared to other lighting options such as halogen lamps or fluorescent tubes.

This means that LED lights can provide a brighter source of illumination at a fraction of the power used by these other options—saving you on your energy bills while still enjoying a bright and vibrant atmosphere.

Longer Lifespans

LEDs also have incredibly long lifespans compared to traditional lighting technologies, with an average rated lifespan of 35,000 hours or more. This means that each LED bulb lasts significantly longer than any regular incandescent bulb and needs to be replaced far less often, leading to even more savings over time.

No Toxic Components or Byproducts

Another major advantage of LED lighting compared to traditional forms of lighting, such as incandescent bulbs or halogen lamps, is its lack of toxic components or byproducts. LEDs contain no mercury or lead and are 100% recyclable—allowing users to take advantage of an efficient light source without worrying about any hazardous materials being released into their environment.

Furthermore, LED lights don’t generate any harmful UV rays, which can potentially cause skin damage or cancer if exposed over long periods of time. This gives users additional peace of mind regarding their safety when using these products in their homes or offices.

Recyclability

LED bulbs can also be recycled through special facilities that are designed to handle the specific materials in an LED bulb. These facilities break down the bulbs, extract any usable components and safely dispose of any hazardous materials. This process ensures that no toxins or pollutants are released into the environment, making it a safe and responsible way to dispose of LED lighting products.

Recycling LED bulbs has several environmental benefits:

Reducing the amount of waste in landfills – Landfill waste is damaging to the environment due to the potential release of hazardous substances into the soils and water systems over time.
Reusing components – By recycling LED bulbs, manufacturers are able to reuse some of the components instead of having to create new ones from scratch, saving resources like energy and raw materials in the process. It also aids in reducing emissions associated with production while saving money on production costs.

Protecting ecosystems – Thirdly, recycling LEDs helps protect ecosystems as well as human health. Since LEDs contain no toxic substances or material that can leach into surrounding ecosystems, their recycling helps maintain these areas for future generations without risking their health or safety. Additionally, many of these facilities use energy-efficient processes in order to further reduce environmental impacts from their operations. For example, using solar panels or wind turbines for power instead of relying on traditional sources like coal-fired plants, which have much greater emissions.

A Greener Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for LED lights also has positive environmental impacts. The materials used are generally non-toxic and safe, such as gallium nitride, aluminum gallium arsenide, and silicon carbide. This helps reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and cuts down on pollution associated with creating new products from scratch.

Furthermore, LED production facilities are often powered by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind turbines, which helps lower their overall carbon footprints compared to traditional power sources such as coal-fired plants. This is especially beneficial for large-scale LED factories producing products on a global scale and selling them across multiple continents.

Less Heat

In addition to lowering emissions and preserving resources through recycling, LED lights also create less heat than traditional bulbs do when turned on.

In other words, households won’t need to use as much air conditioning during the hot summer months, which can help cut down on energy use even further.

Overall, LED lights offer numerous benefits—not just in terms of cost savings but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting precious resources through responsible manufacturing processes.

It is this combination of practicality and sustainability that makes LEDs one of the most popular lighting solutions available today. They’re an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money while helping preserve our planet’s future at the same time.

Looking For More Information About LED Lighting?

If you want more information on LED lighting, we’ve got you covered. Check out our section on LED lighting information ranging from myths to use cases here.
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LED Lighting

How To Hang A Grow Light – Complete Guide

When growing plants, you have two light options: Sunlight and grow lights.

While some strongly advocate only using sunlight to grow, every situation is different. Some even believe that grow lights are superior.

Regardless, if you use grow lights, you’ll need to know how to hang them properly.

A grow light is a type of artificial light designed to grow plants. It is typically a fluorescent or LED light that emits a certain spectrum of light beneficial for plant growth.

Below, we’ll provide instructions on how to hang grow lights. But first, let’s dive into some pros, cons, and other pertinent information on grow lights.

Why Choose Grow Lights Over Sunlight?

There are a few reasons why grow lights are often preferred over sunlight for growing plants.

Grow lights can be easily controlled to provide the exact spectrum of light that plants need for optimal growth. Sunlight can be inconsistent and can vary in intensity depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Finally, grow lights can be used indoors year-round, while sunlight is only available outdoors during certain times of the year in sufficient strength and length.

Disadvantages of Grow Lights

Although grow lights have a strong use case, it’s important to also be aware of their disadvantages, even if there aren’t many.

First, grow lights can be expensive to purchase and operate. Sunlight, on the other hand, doesn’t cost anything. However, in some cases, you won’t be able to avoid using grow lights—such as indoor growing operations.

They also require proper monitoring—since grow lights generate heat, they can damage plants if not monitored effectively.

Grow Light Stands

If you are growing a small number of plants, you can just hang the grow light from the ceiling. If you are growing more plants or have a larger growing area, you will need to use grow light stands—a stand made specifically for grow lights. They come in various shapes and sizes, and some are adjustable so that you can position the grow light exactly where you want it to cover a larger area.

There are three main types of grow light stands:

Tripods
Shelves
Wings

Tripods are the most common type of grow light stand. They are made up of three legs that extend out from the center, and they are adjustable so that you can position the grow light wherever you want it.

Shelves are simple stands with a flat surface on top that can hold a grow light. They are not adjustable, but they are often cheaper than tripods.

Wings are similar to shelves but have two arms extending out from the center instead of one. This allows you to place two grow lights next to each other on the stand.

Grow Light Spectrums

When choosing grow lights, you want to consider the plants you are growing. Some plants need more blue light, while some need more red light. You also want to consider the size of your grow area. Most grow lights typically emit either a blue or red spectrum.

Some common plants that need more blue spectrum include:

Lettuce
Spinach
Tomatoes
Broccoli

Some common plants that need more red spectrum for include:

Flowers
Potatoes
Beets
Carrots

A mixed spectrum grow light is a type of grow light that emits a combination of blue and red light. This type of grow light is beneficial for plants that require both sides of the spectrum.

Some common plants that need mixed spectrum to grow include:

Herbs
Peppers
Eggplants
Cannabis

Peppers under a grow light

How to Hang Your Grow Light

Now that you have the facts about grow lights, it’s time to get it hung! Here’s a basic step-by-step process for hanging your grow light:

Decide which plants you want to grow and what type of grow light they need.
Consider the size of your grow area.
Buy a grow light that emits the right spectrum for your plants.
Find a spot in your growing area where you can hang the grow light.
Make sure there is enough space above and around the grow light for the plants to grow.
Hang the grow light using two chains or cables.
Make sure that it is hanging at the correct height by measuring from the top of the plant canopy to the top of the grow light.
If you are growing many plants, use LED grow lights or high-output fluorescent grow lights.
Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity levels in your grow area and adjust them as needed.
Enjoy watching your plants thrive under your new Grow Light!

Additional Considerations for Grow Lights

Height

It’s important to place the grow lights at the correct height to provide the optimum light for your plants. Grow lights should be hung so that the top of the light is between 18 and 24 inches from the plant canopy.

Light Uniformity

Light uniformity is the evenness of light distribution across a grow light. It is important to have light uniformity because it ensures that all the plants in the growing area are receiving the same amount of light. This is necessary for plants to grow evenly and healthily.

If a grow light has poor light uniformity, it can cause some plants to grow taller and faster than others, which can lead to problems with harvesting. Additionally, if the plants do not receive equal light, they will not produce the same amount of fruits or vegetables.

The best way to ensure good light uniformity is to use a grow light that emits a wide spectrum of light. LED grow lights are the best option for achieving good light uniformity because they emit a wide spectrum of evenly distributed light.

Grow Area Size & Type of Light

When it comes to grow lights, there are two main things you need to consider: the size of your grow area and the type of grow light you need.

The size of your grow area is important because you need to make sure that the grow light you buy is the right size for your space. If the grow light is too small, it will not be able to provide enough light for the plants, and if the grow light is too large, it will take up too much space in your grow area.

You also need to consider the size of your plants when choosing a grow light. If you are growing large plants, you will need a grow light that emits a lot of light, such as a high-output fluorescent grow light or an LED grow light.

There are three main types of horticultural light: incandescent grow lights, fluorescent grow lights, and LED grow lights.

Incandescent grow lights are the oldest type of grow light and they work by heating a metal filament until it glows. This type of grow light is not very efficient and produces a lot of heat, which can harm the plants.

Fluorescent grow lights are more efficient than incandescent grow lights and they produce less heat. They pass an electric current through a gas-filled tube, producing light. This type of grow light is available in both T5 and T8 sizes.

LED grow lights are the most efficient type of grow light, and they produce very little heat. They pass an electric current through a semiconductor chip, which emits light. LED grow lights are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. For more advice on making smart LED Lighting decisions take a look at our blog designed to help you avoid common LED selection errors.

LED Lighting

How To Set Up Smart Lights – A Complete Guide

There’s nothing better than tailoring your living space to suit your needs. With the rise of smart homes among the general public, there’s never been a better time to start turning your home into a smart home.

Smart Homesetup, graphic representation

Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to begin the transformation. They have a low barrier for entry, and they’re highly accessible—a perfect starting point for everyone from newer homeowners to those who want to update an older space. Most people choose to start with smart lighting because it’s an easy way to get introduced to how much easier and convenient having a connected home can be.

However, smart lighting might be a completely new concept for some. If you’re wondering how to set up smart lights, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve provided a complete guide to smart lighting, including benefits, downsides, types, and installation advice.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Lighting?

Choosing to update all of your home lighting is a big decision. Before you make the switch, you should know about all of the benefits of smart lighting. Some of these include:

Savee you money on your energy bill
Gives you more control over your home lighting
Offers convenience and automation
Adds security to your home
Enhances your home’s ambiance and decor
Saves energy by setting timers or connecting them to your home’s energy monitoring system
Creates the perfect ambiance for any occasion with adjustable colors and brightness
Allows you to set up rules and automation so your lights turn on/off or change color based on time of day, sunset/sunrise, motion sensors, etc.
Allows you to use voice commands with devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home
Integrates with other smart home devices like door locks, security cameras, thermostats, and more

What Are the Downsides of Smart Lighting?

Though there are a few downsides to smart lighting, it’s important to take them into consideration before making the switch. Some of the downsides include:

They require an initial investment to purchase the smart lights and any necessary hubs or controllers
You’ll need a reliable internet connection for most features to work properly
Your smart lights will become useless during a power outage unless you have a backup power source

What Types of Smart Lights Are Available?

Before we dive into how to set up smart lights, it’s crucial for you to know which types are available to you. Each type of smart light has different use cases—here are some of your options.

Wired – Wired smart lights connect directly to your home’s electrical system and can be controlled with a smart switch, dimmer, or bridge.
Wireless – Wireless smart lights use batteries or are solar-powered and can be placed anywhere in your home without running new wiring. They typically communicate with a central hub using different wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee.
Color changing – Color changing smart bulbs can produce millions of different colors so you can create any mood or ambiance you want.
White light only – White light only smart bulbs can only produce white light, but they often have a wider range of brightness levels and shades of white to choose from.
Multi-function – Multi-function smart bulbs offer the same benefits as a traditional smart light, but they also include built-in features like music speakers, security cameras, or air quality sensors.

What Are Some Things to Consider When Choosing a Smart Lighting System?

When choosing a smart lighting system, you’ve got a few things to take into consideration. These factors can help you choose the right system for your use case and specific needs.

Ease of installation

Anytime we integrate new technology into our lives, ease of use and ease of installation is important to consider. Most high-end smart lighting systems are designed with seamless installation in mind, but be sure to research the installation process to avoid any potential headaches.

Compatibility

When choosing a smart lighting system, make sure that you choose one that is compatible with any current smart devices that you use. This is crucial for those adding smart lighting to an already connected home.

Features

What features are important to you, and which ones does the system offer? Smart lighting is an investment—make sure the system you choose offers the features you’re looking for! Research the capabilities of the smart lighting systems on your list to make sure you’re getting the best solution for your needs.

Price

One of the first things to consider anytime we make a purchase is the cost—are we getting a good deal?

In most cases, a good rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. However, this isn’t always the case. The most expensive option isn’t always the best, and a cheaper option doesn’t always mean you’re getting a subpar product. Researching reviews and combining them with your cost research can help you determine what the best deal is for your situation.

Reliability

Having reliable smart lights that perform how you want them to is crucial—otherwise, you’ve just wasted your money. Consulting product reviews and recommendations are great ways to evaluate specific smart lighting systems for reliability.

What Are Some of the Best Smart Lighting Systems On the Market?

There are so many different smart lighting manufacturers out there: Which one should you choose?

To help you make the decision, we’ve chosen five of our favorite smart lighting systems on the market. Each has its pros and cons, along with specific features for certain use cases.

Some of these manufacturers include:

Philips Hue
Belkin WeMo
LIFX
Cree Connected
Sylvania Smart+

All of these manufacturers offer a wide range of products, including bulbs, lamps, light strips, and fixtures. Their systems are compatible with many smart home devices and apps, and they offer a variety of features, including color changing, white light only, and multi-function.

How to Set Up Smart Lights

Once you’ve chosen the right smart lighting system for your needs, it’s time to install your smart lights!

Installation specifics will depend on the manufacturer you’ve chosen—we recommend following the step-by-step instructions found in the instructions manual that comes with your smart lighting system. However, we can provide a general outline of what to expect.

To set up your new smart lights, you’ll likely need the following materials:

Smart light bulbs
Lamp or light fixture
Internet router
Power outlet
Screwdriver (if necessary)

There are different ways you can install your smart lights, which will mostly depend on the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are two of the most common ways:

Wi-Fi

The steps for Wi-Fi installation may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer, but here’s what you can expect:

Install the light bulbs in the lamps or light fixtures that you want to be controlled by your smart lights. If you’re using LED bulbs, make sure they are screwed in tightly, so they make good contact with the socket.
Download the app for your chosen smart lighting system on your smartphone or tablet.
Open the app and create an account.
Follow the instructions on the app to connect your new smart lights to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Once your lights are connected, you can start controlling them via the app.

Bluetooth

Just like Wi-Fi installation, Bluetooth setup steps may vary depending on the manufacturer. Here’s a general outline:

Install the light bulbs in the lamps or light fixtures that you want to be controlled by your smart lights. If you’re using LED bulbs, make sure they are screwed in tightly, so they make good contact with the socket.
Look for the “Bluetooth” button on your smart lighting system’s hub or controller.
Press and hold the Bluetooth button until it starts flashing.
Open the app for your chosen smart lighting system on your smartphone or tablet.
Follow the instructions on the app to connect your new smart lights to your home’s Bluetooth network.
Once your lights are connected, you can start controlling them via the app. Most apps will allow you to turn the lights on or off, dim the lights, change the light color, set timers, and create rules and automations.

Troubleshooting tip: Are you having trouble connecting your smart lights to your home’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network? Make sure your router is within range of the light bulbs. Also, check to see if there are any firmware updates available for your system’s hub or controller.

Reminder: If you have more than one smart light, be sure to name each one so you can easily identify them later.

Changing Colors On Your Smart Light After Setup

One of the best features of smart lights is the ability to change colors on a whim. Note that you’ll only be able to take advantage of this feature if you have smart bulbs that have colors and not just white light.

How you do this will vary slightly depending on the brand of smart light you have, but this is typically the process:

Open the app.
Select the light you want to edit.
Click on the color palette.
Choose the color you want.
Click “apply” to save your changes.

In most cases, you can also change the brightness and other settings from this menu. Experiment with different colors and settings to create the perfect atmosphere in your home.

Setting Up Schedules With Your Smart Lights

Finally, many smart lights come with the ability to create custom lighting schedules. This is a great way to turn on your lights automatically when you get home from work or turn them off when you go to bed.

Again, consulting your instruction manual is the best way to figure this out. However, the general process looks something like this:

Open the app.
Select the light you want to edit.
Click on the “schedule” tab.
Set the time and day you want the light to turn on/off.
Click “apply” to save your changes.

Now your smart light will turn on and off automatically, giving you one less thing to worry about!

You Can’t Beat the Convenience of Smart Lighting Systems

With many benefits and a low barrier to entry, smart lighting systems offer an easy-to-use platform that can serve as the foundation for a connected home.

Now that you know what to look for, how to set them up, and how to take advantage of core features, you’re ready to add smart lighting systems to your home and tailor your space to your liking.

Bringing it back to basics, smart lighting systems are the product of significant LED lighting advancements. For more information on LED lighting, check out our LED Lighting 101 article.

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LED Lighting

In-Home Uses for LED Strip Lights

Linear (strip) LED lights are a popular energy-efficient mode of lighting that homeowners can use for a variety of DIY projects. LED strip lighting generates less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs without sacrificing the amount of light provided.

A recent article in InStyle LED notes that LED lights draw up to 85% less electricity than conventional incandescent lighting and about 18% less electricity than compact fluorescent lamps. LED tape lights are available at most home improvement stores and are a low-cost way to add a professional touch to your home improvement projects.

Strip lighting has become very popular as an affordable lighting option for both commercial and residential lighting applications. There are many brands and products that fall within the LED strip lighting category, most of which are conveniently distributed in retail stores including Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Best Buy, and Amazon.

A few of our favorite flexible LED strip light products

Philips Hue Lightstrips come in both white and colored options in a variety of lengths that can be expanded. There are both indoor and outdoor versions available. These LED strip lights are easy to shape, bend, and extend and can be controlled from a mobile app.

Example of Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus base pack—source: Philips

2. Heise LED Strip Lights are available in single color and multi-color RGB formats with 3M adhesive backing for easy installation.

Heise RGB LED Strip Lights – 5 Meter, 7 Color—Source: Heise

3. Tetra LED Tape by GE is designed for small spaces and signage. Installation is quick and simple, using clamp-on connectors and easy mounting with self-adhesive backing. The tape is available in several colors including white, warm white, and RGB.

Tetra LED Tape by GE—Source: Current by GE

Examples of LED strip lighting in unique professional home design

Strip lights can be used just about anywhere, outdoors and in—the applications are limited only by your imagination. Here are a few examples of how professional designers applied strip lighting to luxury spaces.

A living room in Hong Kong’s Gateway Apartments uses dimmable downlights to create a warm environment.

The Gateway Apartment complex lobby leverages the versatility and flexibility of LED strip lighting to keep the entryway bright and modern.

Billed as an artisanal home, K11 Artus is intended to re-shape the serviced apartment experience. The flats, featuring 70 different layouts, offer unrestricted views of Victoria Harbour, and come with luxury design and amenities. Specialty lighting is among the special touches.

Homeowners can Emulate the Pros

A recent article in Southern Living highlights LED Strip lighting as great, low cost lighting solution for budget-conscious homeowners noting the GE Wireless LED Light Bar which retails for just $9. For those taking the DIY approach, Family Handyman offers some great tips including a custom tape lighting installation accenting this residential alcove.

The beauty of using LED lighting strips in your home is in their simplicity. It’s easy to install a strip of lights inside a closet, along a shelf, or just about any place where you need a bit of extra light. LED accent lighting is flexible. Homeowners can set a more intimate and comfortable ambiance or create a focal point. Uses are only limited by the designer’s imagination. Tape lighting, strip lighting and the tools to get homeowners started can be found at retailers such as Home Depot, Best Buy, Amazon, Ace and other hardware stores. Lowes even offers this handy “how to” guide to help with lighting selection and installation.

LED Lighting

5 US Cities Leading in Adoption of LED Lights [2018 Infographic]

5 US Cities Leading in Adoption of LED Lights

With this handy infographic you will learn which 5 US cities are leading the way in adoption of LED lights down to the number of light bulbs used.

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LED Lighting

Are LED Lights Threat to Our Eyes Or Health

LED lighting benefits, such as energy efficiency and durability compared to standard incandescent or fluorescent lights, are what makes LED lighting popular today. Predictions say that the LED market will grow over 10 times in the following decade, only to show that the demand for the modern lighting fixtures is on the rise. Even though the widespread use, from households to street lighting, there are still some misconceptions about risks associated LED lights.

Are LED lights a threat to your health

Do LED Lights Pose a Health Risk

Let’s take a look at some concerns each of us have regarding LED lights.

Do LED lights cause blindness or damage to eyes?

Several researches have shown that blue LED light can indeed be harmful to our retinas, and to make it worse, once retina is damaged there is no going back since our immune systems can’t repair the damage. Poor retinal function can eventually lead to blindness so it is a serious issue.

A recent Canadian research shows that no there will be no damage from a distance of at least 30 cm. In order to prevent possible damage to your eyes, take breaks. There’s something called 20-20-20 break, and basically, give yourself a 20 second break every 20 minutes and try to see what’s going on 20 feet away.

Are LED lights harmful to health?

Before the rise of artificial lighting, main source of light was the sun and people use to spend their evenings in relative darkness. Now, the emerging technology has provided us numerous different light sources and we tend to use them to our disadvantage. One light being in the center of attention is the blue light. Even though its use during the day increases attention and mood, it can have bad effect during the night time. Primary source of blue LED lights are modern devices such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and household lighting. We can all agree that we use several, if not all of the above, during the day. A recent study shows that Americans check their phones 80 times a day, and now add the time we watch movies or series, work on our laptops or computers.

Every person on the planet is unique but we do have a similar biological clock. It doesn’t matter if you’re an early bird or you stay up late, the rhythm is about 24-hour long. Exposure to blue LED light lowers the level of melatonin in our bodies, which is later connected to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can increase chances of diabetes, obesity, and even hart diseases and cancer.

Here are some advice from Harvard Medical School on how to protect yourself from blue light at night:

Don’t look at screens at least two hours before you go to bed
If you must use devices during night, get specialized glasses to filter the blue light
Spend more time in bright light during the day, to help you sleep during the night
Instead of blue lights, use dim red light for night lights

Conclusion

Lastly, what’s the final verdict? Just like any other thing in life we use, LED lights can be harmful and cause damage but they do not if they’re used moderately. It is all up to you.

LED Lighting

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About LED Lighting

By Mabel Lynch

Have you been given terrible LED advice? LED lighting is so commonplace in our lives today, yet bad tips seem unavoidable when it comes to the topic. Let’s take a look at a few common mistakes people make when it comes to LED lighting.

Mistake #1: Mixing LED bulbs with incandescent bulbs is ok.

No, it is not. While transitioning your space from traditional lighting solutions (incandescent light) to an LED solution, it is tempting to replace one or two bulbs at a time, while leaving one or two traditional bulbs in. This is a no no. Mixing LED with incandescent lighting causes poor performance. If using both on the same circuit, your incandescent light will draw more power, causing the LED to flicker. The better advice would be, if you change one, change them all.

Various light bulbs (led, incandescent and more)

If you change one, change them all

Mistake #2: Don’t use LEDs.

The benefits of LED lighting can certainly outweigh other considerations, so understand them before making your decision. LED lighting can save energy, using less than 90% of traditional bulbs. They can last for a very long period of time. They surprisingly don’t produce a lot of heat in comparison to traditional lighting methods. And they can work in extreme temperatures. What this means is if you live in areas with potential for inclement weather, LED lighting can withstand Mother Nature’s wrath, such as storms. Even if being green isn’t your top priority, choosing the LED option helps decrease pollution. This formula easily turns LED lighting into a money saver. If energy efficiency isn’t enough for you to make the switch, what is?

Traditional lighting methods can produce a lot of heat

Mistake #3: One LED fits all LED fixtures.

A big mistake is to assume all fixtures will accept LED bulbs. Another error is to assume all LED fixtures will accept any LED bulb. “One size fits all” does not always apply to LEDs. Using the wrong fixture can decrease the life span of your LED lights and potentially cause malfunction or produce an increased amount of heat. The worst is your mismatched bulb and fixture might not even emit the right amount of light. All this diminishes the benefits of LED lighting. So before you buy any old LED bulb, take a look at your fixtures. Are your fixtures compatible with the LED solution you just chose?

Mistake #4: Buy more LEDs.

More doesn’t necessarily mean better. Depending on your lighting needs, choosing the right amount of lights is important. Adding too much can jeopardize the aesthetics of the room you are lighting, not to mention racking up on costs for installation and energy bills. In some cases, buying more isn’t always better.

Mistake #5: Or buy the brightest LEDs.

Again, depending on the goals of the lighting solution, different LED bulbs produce different color quality. What that means is that a certain LED light bulb can emit different color temperature – from warm to cold tones. This can change the way a room feels. For example, buying the brightest bulbs can lead to a very cool-toned room that can feel washed out. If you want to have a cozy family room in your home, that cool-toned lighting solution may not work. Brightest isn’t necessarily the solution and light temperature does matter!

Mistake #6: LEDs last forever.

While LED lighting solutions are designed to last many years, it is a common mistake to think they do not need replacing. However, LED lighting does last longer than traditional bulbs, so the need to replace them happens later. The average life span of an LED lamp is about 50,000 hours. That is about 2083 days, which is about 5-6 years – on average. To give you a comparison, that is 50 times more than incandescent lights and 8 to 10 times more than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Aside from end of life, if LEDs are installed in incompatible fixtures (remember Mistake #2 above?), replacement needs may come sooner. And sometimes, you may encounter a poorly manufactured product that just doesn’t work. Either way, LEDs bulbs are as close to forever as you can get, but they will still need replacing.

Mistake #7: I can install it all myself.

Minimizing the importance of proper installation is a common mistake, especially when there are a lot of LEDs to install or if there is a certain aesthetic goal. Putting the lights too close together or not securing LED properly are examples of potential damages to the lights. Poor installation can also create excess light pollution and uneven low-quality lighting. At the end of the day, not installing LED lighting properly can be costly and painful!

Mistake #8: To throw them out in the trash or not?

LED light bulbs do not contain hazardous chemicals unlike the small amount of mercury in CFLs. This makes throwing LEDs out in the trash bin is OK to do. However, if you can recycle them, why not! Most LEDs today are made of material you can recycle.

Recycling posts

No mercury in LED’s, but try to recyle

LED is an energy-saving and cost-efficient lighting solution for all. But often times, bad advice is given when it comes to what they are and the details about how they operate. Hopefully this article helps clarify common mistakes made when it comes to LED lighting.

LED Lighting

Tired of the Myths, Get the Facts About LED Lights

Families and businesses alike are looking for ways to keep their homes and workspaces as efficient as possible. As technology changes conversations like this happen more and more often.

Person A: Do you know LED lights save power?

Person B: Yeah, but they’re expensive.

Person A: Well, they do last longer and save power, after all.

Person B: I know, but they’re not good for your eyes.

Person A: That’s not true. They don’t contain any hazardous substances either.

Person B: Fine, but I think I’ll wait a bit more until I get one.

Person A: Why?

Person B: I don’t know. I guess I’m waiting for them to get better.

Person A: Let’s bust some of those myths

Myth 1: LED lights are expensive

Yes. LED lights are more expensive than traditional light bulbs and no one is going to argue that. A cost analysis by the Consumer Federation of America, found that a typical American family uses between 20 and 40 indoor light bulbs. Rough cost of an LED bulb is about $5 (compared to $1 for a regular light bulb) and replacing them all would come up to at least $100-200, depending on the number of bulbs. By switching to LED lights, you can save up to $3,600.00 in energy bills for a period of 25,000 working hours (and most LED lights these days come with a 50,000 hrs. warranty which is 13.7 years if you keep your lights on for 10 hours a day).

Cost-effectiveness analysis

	Fluorescent	Incandescent	LED
Projected life span of a light bulb	10,000 hrs.	1,200 hrs.	25,000 hrs.
Cost per bulb	$2	$1	$5
Bulbs needed for 25,000 hours of use	2.5	21	1
Total cost for 25,000 .	$40	$171	$26

*Source: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/led-light-bulbs-comparison-charts/

Power savings for a household with 25 bulbs (period of 25,000 hours)

	Fluorescent	Incandescent	LED
Total cost for 25 bulbs	$1,000	$4,275	$656
Total savings by switching to LEDs from incandescent lights	$3,275	$0	$3,619.

*Source: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/led-light-bulbs-comparison-charts/

Myth 2: LEDs don’t save energy

As we’ve mentioned in the previous myth, energy is one of the things LEDs do save. They last up to 15x longer than standard light bulbs and use 90% less energy. If that doesn’t count as saving, we don’t know what does. And how do they do that? Well, LEDs are designed to emit small amounts of heat while producing the brightest light of them all. That’s the secret, they take up small amounts of power to produce light and not don’t waste it to generate unnecessary heat.

Myth 3: It’s just another light bulb, who cares

We care. And here’s why:

LEDs save power
LEDs shine brighter
LEDs are not harmful to your vision
LEDs don’t contain hazardous substances
LEDs save money
LEDs can be dimmed and controlled
LEDs work in extreme environments
LEDs produce small amounts of heat
LEDs are highly efficient

Myth 4: LED bulbs don’t last long

Imagine a researcher watching an LED bulb for more than five years. Why five years? Manufacturers nowadays claim that an LED bulb can last for more than 50,000 hours. Thankfully, there are empirical data which support the claims and it’s been over 50 years since the early LEDs and that’s way more than the warrantied life span!

Myth 5: LED lights aren’t efficient

This is just another in a line of myths surrounding LED lighting. The answer here is straightforward and all we need is a bit of math. Formula is based on the amount of light different kinds of bulbs produce per watt of energy. The same amount of light is produced by a 100-watt incandescent bulb, 15-watt fluorescent bulb and 8-watt LED bulb. The difference is obvious. LEDs are 12x more efficient than incandescent lights and 2x more efficient than fluorescent bulbs.

Myth 6: LEDs contain hazardous substances

LED bulbs do NOT contain mercury or any other toxic substances like fluorescent lights do (and mercury leaks if a fluorescent tube is broken). Standard LEDs are made of variety of inorganic materials. Phosphorus used in LED lights is bound in semiconductor material.

Myth 7: LED bulbs need time to warm up

One more myth busted. LEDs shine bright like a diamond the moment you turn them on! Unlike the widespread-power-saving-bulbs or fluorescent lamps, they don’t flicker or take time to turn on. Even if you switch them on and off continuously, it won’t affect their life span.

Myth 8: LED light can’t be dimmed or controlled

This is partially true but only because there are two types of LED light bulbs: dimmable and non-dimmable. So, if you’re looking for the one that can be dimmed, please check out the packaging to find out if there is a dimming feature. One crucial thing to keep in mind is that you need a good LED dimmer, one that can exploit full potential of an LED bulb.

Myth 9: LED bulbs can’t handle extremely cold environments

When used in cold temperatures, LED lights are actually more efficient and their life span is extended. Only extremely high temperatures can cause malfunctions (because they impact electrical and electronic parts). Therefore, an LED bulb working in coldest climates still gives its best.

Myth 10:There is little value now, waiting until they get better seems reasonable

There’s really no need to wait any longer. General LED light bulb life expectancy is 50,000 hours. If you keep your light on for about 10 hrs. a day, your life bulb won’t fail you for at least 13 years. Add 90% in energy savings to that. No one can or will deny that the LED technology will keep evolving, but why wait? The figures above show that the investment of $5 can return much more overall.

LED Lighting

LED Lighting 101

Development of LED Lighting

Over a hundred years ago, in 1907, an English engineer Henry J. Round noticed that when a 10V potential is applied to silicon carbide crystal, it emits yellowish light. Twenty years later, Oleg Vladimirovich Losev was first to further investigate the phenomenon and published a paper “Luminous carborundum detector and detection effect and oscillations with crystals“. After that, there was no real progress for almost half a century. The first light emitting diode was developed by Nick Holonyak Jr., from GE. It was about the size of a piece of pepper. His invention became the red LED that was used for indicator lights. The final part of RGB LED development that occurred in 1993, was creating blue light, resulting in the ability to produce any color of the LED light. The inventor Shuji Nakamura enabled the development of white LED lights that are now installed in commercial and manufacturing spaces all over the world. At first, LEDs were highly expensive and were only used in laboratory equipment but over time, as technology evolved, prices dropped and the application of LED lighting has widely spread.

LED Lighting Basics

LED lighting is solid state lighting (SSL) and that is the main differentiation point between LEDs and other forms of lightings such as incandescent and fluorescent. SSL means that semiconductor light-emitting diodes are the source of illumination as opposed to gas or electrical filaments found in standard lighting. LED is a p-n junction that emits light when activated. Electrons recombine with electron holes in a device and release photons once current is applied. This is called electroluminescence. Similar to incandescent lamps, LEDs achieve full brightness without warm-up and frequent turning on and off doesn’t affect their productivity. LEDs emit light in one direction and thus exclude the need for reflectors or diffusers. Another great feature of LED lights is that they produce an insignificant amount of heat. Other than that, LED sources are dimmable and can be integrated with various sensors and controls. This enables additional power savings because they can operate depending on occupancy of a room and with use of daylight saving.

LED Bulbs

After years of development, LED companies have finally introduced a replacement for wide-spread 60 watt light bulb in 2009. Traditional incandescent bulbs measure brightness in watts, meaning you had to buy a bulb with higher wattage in order to get more light. LED bulbs measure brightness in lumens which is a more precise measure. The difference in energy consumption is radical. For example, LED equivalent of a 60-watt bulb consumes between 9 and 12 watts while providing the same brightness and a 40-watt equivalent LED bulb consumes only 6 to 8.5 watts. That is roughly 5 times less energy needed for the same effect. Furthermore, LED bulbs have an almost unlimited lifespan and they will continue to light up even after the estimated lifespan expires but the brightness may drop. They sometimes have lifetime expectation up to 100,000 hours of operation, meaning, if you leave your LED bulb on for 8 hours a day, twenty years will pass before you have to replace it. One of the important features of LED lighting is that they’re eco-friendly. LEDs don’t contain toxic materials and they’re recyclable.

Compared to standard light bulbs, LEDs:

Emit more lumens,
Do not emit UV lights,
Are more durable,
Have a longer lifespan,
Are smaller in size,
Consume less energy,
Do not contain Mercury or any other toxic gases.

LED Products

As we already know, there are many LED products and the number continues to grow. Continuous improvement of LED lighting products leads to lower prices and wider adaptation of the technology. Most common LEDs include:

Industrial and commercial lighting – found in parking lots, garage lighting, street lights, outdoor lighting, refrigerator lighting, etc.
Kitchen lighting – used under cabinets for lighting kitchen countertops,
Recessed lighting – commonly used in households and offices,
Replacement lights – for replacing old incandescent light bulbs,
Holiday lights – much cheaper and easier to use than standard holiday fixtures.