Saving Energy Archives - Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting Houston TX

Is It Good To Switch In A Houston LED Lighting?

The LED technology has made significant strides over the past few years. Today’s LEDs have a longer lifespan of more than 400,000hrs. And some of the best models are available with custom CRIs, Kelvin temperatures, and unique optics. Overall, all the LEDs are energy-efficient solutions.

The LED Difference

LEDs are distinctively directional, which means they emit a light that travels in a specific direction. With fluorescent and HID lamps, the light flows in all directions; as such, there is a lot of wasted light. The directional lighting synonymous with LEDs thus limits the wastage of light, and this translates to higher efficiency and lower wattage consumptions.

The lack of a filament means that LEDs, and unlike the HID and Fluorescent bulbs, are more resistant to damage. They are categories in the group of solid-state lighting solutions. They can withstand bumping and jarring. LEDs do not contain any mercury and generate little heat compared to their predicator technologies.

What Are LEDs?

LEDs rely on semiconductor diodes mostly known as light-emitting diodes that radiate electroluminescence when electricity passes through in a forward motion. The flowing electrons in the current move through the semiconductor and fall into other energy levels while on transit to the P-N junction. The electron transition into a lower energy level that causes them to emit a photon of light. The photo might be infrared, with that spectrum, into ultraviolet light, or anywhere on the visible light spectrum.

Incorporating LEDs Into Luminaires

Initially, the LEDs were made with the diodes that were wired in a line and mounted onto a heat sink. However, this set up face numerous performance limitations and issues.

The diodes were mostly installed permanently onto a solid, pre-drilled surface with holes that are specific to the LEDs being used. If one LED failed, then the entire fixture would not work. Moreover, doing upgrades was not possible, meaning there was no effective means of changing the faulty LEDs.

Currently, the technology has morphed into something more practical. The LED modules used are customizable. They are retrofittable and replaceable. The housing for the light fixtures is customized to support and enhance the capabilities of the LEDs to ensure the delivery of more lumens per watt.

LED Light Engines/Modules

The latest LEDs are upgradeable; you can change an LED module that fails just like how you would with a light bulb. As such, manufacturers can utilize the component they want in LED fixtures.

LED Module Manufacturers

Different companies are producing light modules for various applications. That is why these modules are adaptable since they are available in changeable optics and multiple wattages.

LED Drivers

For the LEDs to work, they need a transformer instead of the standard line voltage. The transformers or drivers convert the current into usable energy. It the same principle applied in HID fixtures. Many manufacturers produce these drivers, hence the need to research and know the driver that suits your LED installation.

LEDs & Glass Lenses

The older luminaires were made with a protective lens; this is old technology but was meant to protect the ballast, light source, and driver from dirt. However, the optics used in these early LEDs cannot work the same as the latest LED lighting technologies. In as much as these luminaries are the best lighting solutions, their efficacy can be limited by poor position or the type of glass cover or lenses used.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Benefits Of LED Lights To The Environment In Houston

Today, conserving the environment must be a duty that every person should feel obligated to perform. We are all aware of various eco-friendly policies such as recycling to reduce the waste we create and minimize our carbon footprint. But, a majority of the population does not know about the latest and emerging technologies that we can utilize to cut carbon emissions. One excellent example is LED lighting, which helps to keep the environment clean.

Energy Saving

LED lighting exceeds the efficiency of traditional lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent lights by up to 80%. They have a 95% energy conversion rate, only 5% of LEDs energy goes to waste as heat. This is in contrast to fluorescent lighting which wastes as much as 95% of the energy, just 5% is turned into the light! Also, LEDs draw lower power compared to traditional lights: a normal 84-watt fluorescent can be substituted by a 36-watt LED to generate a similar amount of light. Energy-saving characteristics minimize the need for energy from power plants and reduce gas emissions from greenhouses.

Because LEDs consume more low-cost energy in comparison to an incandescent bulb, there is a huge reduction in power expenses, and consequently, a drastic fall in your monthly utility bills. Energy and money are saved on servicing and replacement expenses because of the durability of LEDs.

Free From Toxic Substances

LED lights are clean and without toxic substances. Most commercial buildings are currently using fluorescent strip lights that carry harmful substances such as mercury. This will pollute the surroundings when dumped in a landfill. Discarding such waste has to be done through a certified waste management provider, thus upgrading to LED lights eliminates the time and cost required for compliance during disposal, at the same time it keeps away additional toxic waste from the environment. LED is also considered clean or eco-friendly and can be recycled.

Fewer Lights Required

LEDs possess superior light distribution capabilities and focus light in a single direction in contrast to other kinds of light that misuse energy by radiating light in every direction, often providing light to sections where light is inessential like the ceiling. For this reason, a lower number of LED lights are required to attain a similar degree of brightness produced by incandescent and fluorescent lights. Lesser lights will cut energy usage, and this will be an advantage to the environment.

Long Active Life

A longer expected life implies reduced carbon emissions. LEDs have an expected life of almost 60,000 hours whereas incandescent bulbs have a standard lifespan of 1,500 hours. A good LED light can function properly when in regular use for more than 7 years before requiring replacement. LED lights remain functional for six times longer than other kinds of lighting, reducing the need for repeated replacement. As a consequence, fewer lights are used, therefore, lesser resources are required for production, packaging, and distribution. The prolonged life span of LED lights will drastically cut maintenance expenses and reduce long-term running expenses in contrast to traditional fluorescent and Lamoureux lights.