t
As the world looks for new ways to improve energy efficiency around the home, light bulbs have come under scrutiny. Traditional incandescent light bulbs are known for being inefficient, using more energy for producing heat than they do light. Neither halogen bulbs nor fluorescent lights have succeeded in providing a definitive replacement. Because of this companies have been innovating new types of light bulbs for a while now. You may remember when fluorescent light bulbs first came on the market, and the process of switching over to them.
LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are the latest innovation in light bulb technology. These lights look very similar to the traditional light bulbs, but their internals are completely different. This new type of light bulb has led to some asking ‘well how do LED lights work?’.
An LED is exactly that: a light emitting diode (a diode just being a component that only allows electrical current to flow in one direction). Electrical current is run through a semi-conductive material, which illuminates during the process. You may hear this referred to as electroluminescence. This simply means that the material has the property of producing light when electrical current is run through it.
This is in contrast to incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal filament to red-hot temperatures, which glows with the heat. Fluorescent lights, meanwhile, use the current flow to create a chemical reaction with an inert gas that reacts with phosphor powder in a way that creates light.
LED bulbs are far the superior option on account of being more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
LED technology has allowed these light bulbs to operate at a far lower wattage than other lighting types on the market. This means they draw less power for the same, if not better, lighting capabilities. Adopters of LEDs will find they use less power and therefore save on their energy bill.
LEDs also have an edge in efficiency over traditional lighting because they do not generate any heat, unlike incandescent bulbs which are known to get very hot. This is due to the LED technology not revolving around heating metal to create light. This has a positive effect on the environment, and also helps reduce the amount of work your air conditioning needs to do in winter (improving its energy efficiency too).
LED bulbs can be more expensive than the other types of light bulbs, however they come with an array of additional benefits apart from simply being environmentally friendly.
Along with the already covered greater energy efficiency, there are a number of other benefits that LED lights offer.
The versatility of LED lighting makes it suitable for installation in most, if not all, areas of your home or business. LED bulbs will plug into the same sockets as your old light bulbs with no added fuss, and can easily be wired into a building’s electrical system.
LEDs are also able to be made much smaller than any type of fluorescent or incandescent lighting. This allows for greater options for how to incorporate them into an area. Examples include LED strip-lighting and, recently, car headlights.
LEDs can also be installed outdoors, with the added bonus of being able to hook them up to a solar panel. They’re particularly useful outside as they’ll perform better in the cooler months, and their sturdy design makes them more resistant than traditional lighting.
You can choose from a wide variety of LEDs at most hardware and lighting stores. You should, however, speak to a licensed electrician before buying if you have any questions about which type is best for you.
Prime Time Electricians can also do the installation for you. And this doesn’t just apply to new installations. Our skilled electricians are just as adept at upgrading your old lighting system, an option that may be better for commercial properties. While changing a light bulb is not a difficult task, any more involved electrical processes should 100% be handled by a qualified electrician perth. The dangers of DIY electrics are always present.
So whether you need your Perth LED lighting installation done, or are just looking to have some electrical upgrades done in the area, call Prime Time Electricians on 1300 356 200 today.
