In recent years, LEDs have become the best go-to in the lighting industry, slowly replacing halogen and CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) with more energy-efficient technology. Being more energy-efficient is just one of their many advantages; in this guide, we will list all the advantages and disadvantages of LED lights and hopefully convince you that these are the only bulbs you will ever need to buy from now on.
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LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a semiconductor (part conductor, part insulator) device that converts low levels of electricity into light. Unlike traditional filament bulbs, which generate light by creating heat, an LED light bulb charges atoms in a conductive material, releasing energy in the form of electrons and producing light.
You can now use LEDs in most light fittings, but why is it better to have LED lights? Read on to discover the pros and cons of LED lights.
When it comes to LED lighting, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Here are the 10 top advantages they offer:
If you absorb anything from this guide, the most important point is this: energy efficiency is the biggest advantage LED lights provide.
LED lights have become the world’s most efficient form of lighting, using around 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and approximately 60% less than fluorescent lighting. As a result, this means that LED lights consume less electricity, reducing your energy costs.
LEDs produce more light per watt, producing the same light or brightness level while consuming less energy.
It’s widely known that LED will save you money on energy bills, but how much?
Working out how much LED lights cost to run depends on several factors:
The formula to work out how much LED lights cost to run is:
Power (kW) = / watts
Cost = Power (kW) × Time (hours) × Electricity Rate (per kWh)
So, for example, if you have a 10-watt LED bulb that you run for five hours a day and your electricity rate is £0.30 per kWh. You can work out how much it will cost you per day using the formula above:
/ 10 = 0.01kW
0.01kW × 5 hours × £0.30/kWh = £0.015 cost per day.
You can then multiply this cost per day by the number of LED bulbs you have.
You can apply this formula to work out the cost of any bulb and compare it with its LED equivalent. But, LEDs will always cost less because they create the same light level (lumens) with fewer watts.
As LED lights use much less energy, less carbon emissions are released to power them, making them the most environmentally friendly bulb option. Eco-friendly bulbs are essential in today’s energy landscape, which demands better energy-saving solutions to preserve our planet’s resources.
Furthermore, unlike CFLs, LEDs don’t contain hazardous materials like mercury, making them safer to dispose of and better for the environment.
Nobody likes having to change light bulbs all the time. LED light bulbs are ideal for keeping this inconvenient chore to a minimum. LEDs last 2-3 times longer (approx. 25,000-50,000 hours) than fluorescent bulbs and 50 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. So, this means a lot less bulb-changing and significant savings on replacement costs.
Unlike traditional filament bulbs, LED bulbs have a low heat emission output. As a result, they do not waste energy emitting heat, making them more efficient, environmentally friendly and safer.
Older-style incandescent and halogen bulbs can be a fire risk due to their high heat outputs; LEDs mitigate this risk. LEDs also help reduce cooling costs, where the heat from traditional bulbs affects the temperature of a room.
Because LEDs emit solid-state light, as opposed to the less stable incandescent filaments, they can withstand temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and shock much better than traditional bulbs, making them suitable for a broader range of applications and environments requiring more durable lighting solutions.
LEDs provide full brightness immediately upon switching on, with no warm-up time required, unlike CFLs.
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LEDs are compact, allowing for innovative design options. They can be integrated into thin, flexible designs, used for directional lighting, or even embedded into decorative elements, made to look like traditional bulbs. The choices are endless!
LEDs can produce various colours and colour temperatures without filters, enabling better and more versatile mood and ambient lighting.
LEDs emit light in a specific direction, which reduces the need for reflectors and diffusers that can trap light in traditional bulbs. As a result, this makes them highly efficient for focused lighting applications like task lighting.
With modern technology, it is much easier to access LED lighting. The wide variety of advantages means they’ve become even more popular in shops, making them more accessible and easier to buy. In contrast, halogen bulbs are being phased out of production.
Regarding cons, LED lights have far fewer disadvantages than other bulb types, and their disadvantages are less consequential than those of other bulbs. Here are the 5 most common disadvantages of LED lights.
Good LED bulbs are generally more expensive to buy and replace than traditional incandescent bulbs, and the fittings required to install them might be more costly to manufacture. This cost is, however, largely offset by energy savings and a longer lifespan, saving you money on energy bills and replacement costs.
LED lights emitting a cool or bright white colour temperature emit more blue light, contributing to eye strain, headaches and sleep disruption. Whenever buying LED lights, always make sure you purchase the bulbs with the right colour temperature for the corresponding rooms.
Not all LEDs are compatible with all dimmers, especially older dimming systems designed for filament bulbs. You will need special dimmable LED models or compatible dimmer switches to ensure LED dimmers work properly and don’t flicker.
One of the main reasons LED lights can flicker is because of incompatible dimmer switches, particularly at lower brightness settings.
However, the reason could also be voltage fluctuations due to wiring issues, insufficient power supply, overloading the circuit or other faulty electrical appliances on the same circuit, as LEDs require a stable voltage.
If the drivers that convert AC to DC power are of poor quality or are damaged, this can also lead to flickering. LED bulbs coming to the end of their lifespan may also flicker.
Although LED bulbs are more durable to the elements, they may flicker when exposed to extreme temperatures without a sufficient IP rating.
LED lights only emit light in a specific direction, making them great for spotlights but less ideal for applications requiring omnidirectional light.
While LEDs can produce bright light, they sometimes struggle to render colours as accurately as other lighting technologies, particularly with lower-quality products, affecting the appearance of objects in certain settings. Light colour rendering measures how well a light source can reproduce the colours of objects in comparison to a natural light source and is measured along the colour rendering index (CRI) chart.
Although the pros of LED lights vastly outweigh the cons, you should still consider these factors when purchasing LED bulbs.
Due to their durability and efficiency, LED lights can be installed practically anywhere, inside and out. They are especially well-suited for directional lighting, such as kitchen and bathroom spotlights, floodlighting, and outdoor deck lighting.
LED lights are also ideal for applications left on for long periods, such as display, cabinet, and porch lighting. The bulbs’ characteristic long life spans make them perfect for use when maintenance access is restricted. Also, LED bulbs are among the most popular choices for modern Christmas tree lights due to their durability and lower heat output.
Here are just a few of the main applications LED bulbs can be used for:
Yes! One of the great pros of LED lighting is that you can easily replace your traditional household bulbs with LED ones. ‘Retrofit’ LED bulbs are available, which can be installed in the same fittings as traditional bulbs so you can do a straight swap. However, factors like heat dissipation need to be considered with certain enclosed fittings, so check the instructions and seek expert help if you’re unsure.
We’ve weighed the pros and cons of LED light bulbs, so you don’t have to; we hope you can see the advantages of switching to LED bulbs.
With the multitude of indoor and outdoor LED light bulbs available from our website, you can illuminate your home inside and out, from top to bottom, with energy-efficient lighting. Check out the full range of LED lighting today and start reaping the benefits of an LED light design.
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