LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are solid light bulbs which are extremely energy-efficient. When first developed, LEDs were limited to single-bulb use in applications such as instrument panels, electronics, pen lights and, more recently, strings of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights. Manufacturers have expanded the application of LEDs by “clustering” the small bulbs. The first clustered bulbs were used for battery powered items such as flashlights and headlamps. Today, LED bulbs are made using as many as 180 bulbs per cluster, and encased in diffuser lenses which spread the light in wider beams. Now available with standard bases which fit common household light fixtures, LEDs are the next generation in home lighting.
Induction lighting has an extreme long life, saves energy and is a good choice for high-ceiling applications where the lamps are difficult, costly or even hazardous to access. Induction lighting is ideally suited for applications where the benefits of LED lighting are sought but a light source is needed that will also operate efficiently in extremely cold conditions and has a broader disbursement of light. Because of this, induction lighting is appropriate for a great deal of applications, including not merely warehouses, industrial buildings, cafeterias, gymnasiums, etc., but also signage, tunnels, bridges, roadways, outdoor areas and security lighting fixtures, parking garages, public spaces, and freezer and cold storage illumination.
If you see any need from the list below, you will want to check induction lighting with QSet for your applications -
- Challenging locations which make repair costs high such as street lighting, tunnels, high ceilings where there is continuous operation including hotel and building rotundas
- Cold environments, including supermarket walk-in coolers and freezers
- Areas where high-quality lighting is needed or highly desirable
- Where dependability is a concern
- Where high lumen output is required
- In areas where lamps need to achieve full brightness immediately
Contact us today for a free site evaluation and cost-savings analysis.
The high cost of producing LEDs has been a roadblock to widespread use. However, researchers at Purdue University have developed a process for using inexpensive silicon wafers to replace the expensive sapphire-based technology. This promises to bring LEDs into competitive pricing with CFLs and incandescents. LEDs may soon become the standard for most lighting needs. We are following these developments with interest and will report the latest updates in this research.
Benefits of LED lightbulbs
Long-lasting – LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents.
Durable – since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.
Cool – these bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu’s/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. Common incandescent bulbs get hot and contribute to heat build-up in a room. LEDs prevent this heat build-up, thereby helping to reduce air conditioning costs in the home.
Mercury-free – no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs.
More efficient – LED light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.
Cost-effective – although LEDs are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in battery savings. LED bulb use was first adopted commercially, where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive. But the cost of new LED bulbs has gone down considerably in the last few years. and are continuing to go down. Today, there are many new LED light bulbs for use in the home, and the cost is becoming less of an issue. To see a cost comparison between the different types of energy-saving light bulbs.
Light for remote areas and portable generators – because of the low power requirement for LEDs, using solar panels becomes more practical and less expensive than running an electric line or using a generator for lighting in remote or off-grid areas. LED light bulbs are also ideal for use with small portable generators which homeowners use for backup power in emergencies.
Choosing an LED lightbulb
Many different models and styles of LED bulbs are emerging in today’s marketplace. When choosing a bulb, keep in mind the following:
• Estimate desired brightness – read the package to choose desired brightness level. You can use wattage to compare bulb illumination, for example, a 3W LED is equivalent in output to a 45 W incandescent. However, the new method for comparing bulbs is lumens. Lumens is the measuse of perceived brightness, and the higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. The FTC has mandated that by 2012 all light bulb packages display lumens as the primary measure for comparing bulbs. For more information about lumens, see LED Terminology further down this page.
• Choose between warm and cool light – new LED bulbs are available in ‘cool’ white light, which is ideal for task lighting, and ‘warm’ light commonly used for accent or small area lighting.
• Standard base or pin base – LEDs are available in several types of ‘pin’ sockets or the standard “screw’ (Edison) bases for recessed or track lighting.
• Choose between standard and dimmable bulbs – some LED bulbs, are now available as dimmable bulbs.
• Choose high quality bulbs or they will die prematurely – do not buy cheap bulbs from eBay or discounters. They are inexpensive because the bulbs use a low-quality chip which fails easily.
• Look for certifications – including FCC, Energy Star and UL.
