Updating
lighting is a contract
maintenance job we’ve
been doing for several St Paul businesses and multi-housing facilities lately.
By retrofitting LEDs in place of old incandescent bulbs, customers are saving
time and money. We want to provide more information about LED lighting to help
you understand the many benefits of making the switch.
What are LEDs?
LED stands
for Light-Emitting Diodes. They are compound semiconductor devices that produce
visible light when an electrical current passes through them. LEDs consist of
two materials: the first has a surplus of positive charge (holes) and the
second has a surplus of negative charge (electrons). When one applies a forward
voltage, the electrons and holes are brought together. They combine and release
light energy, hence the name light-emitting.
LEDs are
not actually bulbs; they are tiny semiconductors encapsulated in plastic that
protects their components and helps focus the light.
What is the difference
between incandescent bulbs and LEDs?
Incandescent
bulbs create light by the use of a filament. When power is applied, the
filament glows and generates heat, in turn producing light. LEDs work the
opposite. When power is applied to semiconductors, they’re stimulated by the
movement of electrons, which creates photons. Photons are the light particles
that are visible to humans.
Rather than
“burning out” like incandescent bulbs, LEDs get progressively dimmer over time.
Why do LEDs use less power
than incandescent bulbs?
LEDs do not
use a filament where a conductor is heated and light is created. Filament-based
lighting consumes more power than the light it produces. LEDs produce very
small amounts of heat and do not use filaments. Thus, they are far more efficient
in consumption and output.
What are the advantages of
switching to LED lights?
There are
many advantages of making the switch to LED lights. Here are a few:
-
Use much less electricity than other bulbs
-
Produce very little heat
-
Have a long life
-
Do not emit UV or infrared
-
Contain no mercury
-
Resistant to shock and vibration
-
Can operate effectively in extremely cold and hot
environments
-
Don’t tend to attract insects as much as other bulbs
-
Provide bright, natural light
The long
life and energy efficiency are the most well-known advantages of using LEDs.
When used commercially, maintenance costs are also greatly reduced since the
lights don’t need to be replaced as often. The durability of LEDs also makes
them great for outdoor lighting like parking lots.
How long do LEDs last?
LEDs are
known for being extremely long-lasting products. Many have a lifetime of 50,000
hours, some even longer. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical
incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen and 8-10 times longer
than a typical CFL. If used 12 hours a day, a 50,000-hour bulb will last more
than 11 years. If used 8 hours a day, it can last as long as 17 years.
How expensive are LEDs?
The initial
cost for LEDs is more expensive than conventional light bulbs. However, the
long-term savings is where LEDs save money. LEDs offer up to 80 percent
savings, and over time, they will end up paying for themselves!
In many
cases, customers can get rebates, incentives or tax credits by switching to LED
bulbs. You can visit Xcel
Energy for more
information and forms. We’ve had some customers able to make the switch
virtually cost-free!
If you
would like to make the switch to LED lighting for your St Paul business or
multi-housing facility, give us a call! We can handle the entire process for
you! Call Building Maintenance Management at 763-541-4886 or you
can Contact Us.
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