LED Downlights A Greener Choice

Traditional incandescent lighting has dominated our illumination needs for many decades. That technology is now being phased out largely due to rising energy cost. It is being replaced by light emitting diodes (LED) technology. LED downlights are very much part of that trend. They can be used indoors or out in some of the toughest environments. For example, they are used on pleasure and commercial vessels, including externally on decks and masts.

LEDs provide three major advantages. They consume less energy, are cheaper to produce and last longer. Those three benefits add up to a lot of value.

Perhaps their most significant advantage is that they consume much less energy than standard light bulbs. Their manufacture also requires less energy. Both these energy savings mean that LEDs significantly lower overall carbon emissions and are a major plus for the environment.

The working life of an LED can range from 40,000 hours up to a massive 100,000 hours. That is a life of up to 11.5 calendar years of continuous light, 24x7. By contrast, an incandescent globe will typically last only a few thousand hours. The illumination degradation of LEDs is also quite modest. Typically, an LED may suffer a maximum 20 percent lumen depreciation after 40,000 hours of operation.

The barely credible longevity of LEDs reflects the combination of at least three important factors. First, they do not incorporate any glass or any filament. Second, they generate little heat. Third, they are produced using a tough resin that is almost unbreakable.

Because of their low power, low heat and lack of harmful fumes, LEDs are assigned a higher safety rating. LEDs do not, for example, contain toxic mercury. By comparison, toxic materials are found in more conventional forms of lighting. This consideration is especially relevant for lighting required for spaces occupied by children.

Their toughness, durability and reliability make LED are confident choice in extreme situations. Maritime and aviation applications are leading examples. Their failure risk is very low.

Aesthetically, may people report they find the lighting produced by LEDs effective, comfortable and soothing. They are available in a staggering array of sizes, colors, shapes, styles and designs. There is a fitting to suit any setting and please virtually all personal tastes. LED downlights are increasingly penetrating many lighting markets. They are found in many residential commercial marine and aviation settings. This trend is set to continue.