3 Reasons to Switch to LED Lighting in Your Home
In 2010, lighting accounted for around 18 percent of the electricity used in American homes and businesses, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Although more people than ever are trying to make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient, energy consumption is still on the rise. American homes consumed 5 percent more electricity in 2010 than the year before. Long-lasting, durable and increasingly affordable, LED lighting is one green alternative that every household can use to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Here are three reasons to switch to light-emitting diode technology.
1. LED Lighting Saves Money and Energy
There’s no question that conventional incandescent light bulbs waste electricity, expending much of their energy on unwanted heat. With federal legislation eliminating most traditional incandescent lighting by 2014, homeowners are increasingly opting for LED lighting. LED bulbs use around 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs. They more than make up for the initial cost through savings on energy costs. With a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, each bulb saves around $400 over the life of the bulb.
In a test conducted by a leading consumer organization, LED lights met or exceeded expected energy savings. Used three hours each day, LED’s can last up to 46 years without sacrificing brightness and efficiency. LED’s are so efficient because their illumination comes from electroluminescence, a digital technology that uses semiconductor microchips to cause electrons to release energy in the form of photons.
2. A Host of Decorative Options
Unlike the harsh, blue-white light of fluorescent light bulbs, the illumination from LED lights is as bright and warm as from traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs are available that resemble traditional bulbs too, making it easy to adjust to the new technology. Many people, however, enjoy the modern look of more high-tech LED bulb designs. A broad array of LED bulbs are available, from those intended for use in spot lights, track lighting and recessed lighting systems to those made for outdoor lighting fixtures like flood light and path lighting. Some models are wired to accept dimmers as well. As LED’s are digital, they are capable of being connected to electronic home automation systems too.
One of the main concerns for designers has to do with the availability of high-end fixtures that accept or are built for LED light bulbs. The fact is, there are options available right now from top designer lighting companies like Artemide, like the Talak, Genesy, One-Line and Tizio LED desk lamp.
3. LED’s Are Highly Functional
While fluorescent light bulbs are also considered energy-efficient, they contain mercury. This not only makes it imperative to recycle them properly but also creates a hazard if they should break. LED’s are highly durable. They are typically encased in plastic or metal that makes them far less likely to break, even when dropped. If they should happen to break, they are far safer than either broken incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. LED’s contain no mercury or lead and never get hot. LED’s are convenient too. As they are exceptionally long lasting, it’s rarely necessary to change them.
The majority of the world’s electricity is still being generated from exhaustible sources of energy that emit harmful gases into the atmosphere. With the EIA predicting that world demand for electricity will double by 2035, it’s more important than ever to make the switch to eco-friendly products and technologies. LED’s allow every person to contribute to a cleaner and greener future.
Author Bio Sal Rusinak writes about interior design, furniture, lighting, and product design from his design office in Beverly Hills, CA. Sal recommends the Artemide lighting collection for anyone who is upgrading their living or work space to include sophisticated, high-design lighting.
