What are the benefits of LED lighting?

LED lighting is gradually replacing traditional incandescent, neon and compact fluorescent lighting in commercial, industrial and residential premises because of its many benefits.

LEDs (light emitting diodes) offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution for a variety of commercial and industrial spaces, from warehouses to retail premises. LED technology has developed so much in the last decade that LEDs can easily rival traditional forms of lighting such as fluorescent lights.

Let’s take a look at the key benefits of LED lighting.

They save you money

In today’s climate of rising energy bills, the cost efficiencies of LEDs are a massive plus point for many businesses. Even though the initial investment in LEDs costs more than other lighting, their much lower energy use, reduced maintenance and increased lifespan mean money is saved in the long term.

Energy efficiency

Many businesses which don’t have LED lighting use fluorescent tubes, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps or standard light bulbs known as incandescent lamps.

Fluorescent tubes are particularly common in offices and factories. Some fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient than others, but a standard fluorescent T8 batten’s lifespan is about 10,000 hours, whereas an equivalent LED light will last an average 50,000 hours.

Warehouses in particular use high intensity discharge (HID) lamps but these are very inefficient compared to LEDs.

Standard light bulbs – or incandescent lamps – have developed into the more energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). However, LEDs are still much more efficient in their energy use, needing up to 90 per cent less power than CFLs to produce the same amount of light. This means that electricity costs are reduced.

LEDs also produce very little heat, which saves on wasted energy, and also reduces the need for air conditioning.

Low maintenance

LED lights are pretty much maintenance-free, as opposed to standard fluorescent tubes and HIDs which need to be maintained if they are to work to their optimum output. By switching to LEDs businesses can reduce their maintenance costs by up to 50 per cent.

Long lasting

LED lighting lasts much longer than other traditional lights. The lifespan of one LED bulb is on average ten times longer than that of a CFL, and 133 times longer than a typical incandescent bulb.

Targeted lighting

LEDs send light directly to where it’s needed. Fluorescent tubes, on the other hand, emit light around the whole of the cylinder.

LEDs are better for the environment

There are many ecological benefits of using LED lighting, with the use of LEDs helping to reduce a business’s carbon footprint.

They offer better visibility

Insufficiently-lit spaces are not ideal for spaces such as retail stores where the products need to be highlighted and displayed in their best light. But for other workspaces such as warehouses, insufficient lighting can have a negative impact on the health and safety of employees. Aside from the increased risk of injury, badly-lit areas can also cause strain on the eyes, an increase in headaches, and even affect productivity. It’s also possible to manage the brightness of LEDs and they do not create glare, which can have a benefit on the vision of those working within the space.

Better security

The increased visibility offered by LEDs helps improve security on your premises. Read more in our blog about security lighting at commercial premises here.

No toxic materials

LEDs do not contain toxic materials such as mercury or lead. This makes them safer for use as well as less environmentally harmful, and means they can be fully recycled.

Other benefits of LED lighting

The long lifespan of LEDs means wastage is reduced, and their low power usage makes them ideal for use in areas and homes that use solar panels.

Safety

LEDs produce ‘cold’ light which generates virtually no heat, so the risk of burns and fire is reduced.

Aesthetics

One of the major visible effects the use of LED lighting can have on a business is that it makes offices and warehouses brighter, ‘cleaner’ looking and generally gives a more modern and professional image. This can have a positive effect on anyone working in or visiting the premises.

Durability

LEDs are more durable than other traditional lighting as they are not made of fragile components such as filaments and glass, so they’re unaffected by external factors such as wind, rain, cold temperatures, vibrations and impacts.

Further benefits:

• Switching them on and off regularly does not affect how long they last, unlike other lighting which can diminish with frequent switching
• LEDs produce no UV light or infra-red radiation. This makes them ideal for use in premises such as food production units and museums, where items may be sensitive to UV light or heat
• They are easy to install
• They are silent and do not buzz or flicker

DRF Electrical is experienced in the installation of a wide variety of LED lights, and we advise businesses and homeowners about the benefits of switching to LEDs. We can do this as part of a wider strategic plan focused on reducing your energy consumption.

For more information call us on 0113 257 8212.