People have started to be more and more aware about the fact that they need to save energy in their household for a variety of reasons. The first reason, which is in fact the one that mostly affects them, is related to the financial aspect. Thus, by teaching the household members some practical strategies of being energy efficient, the amount to be paid for the utilities bills will automatically be drastically reduced.
On the other hand, due to well organized campaigns and to intensive educational activities carried out by an extremely large number of environment friendly organizations, people have, furthermore, started to place a greater accent on how crucial it is for the future of us all to protect the planet.
Anyways, in order to start being energy efficient, there are a few steps very useful in identifying the problems, in figuring out which are the precise areas of the house where the largest amounts of electrical energy are consumed in vain. Fist of all, one has to know that there two possible ways to identify these areas: one is by means of performing a simple home audit by yourself or by contracting a professional, in the person of an independent energy auditor, who can explain and advice you on these matters.
The questions you have to make sure you do not fail to ask yourself are related to how much you are currently spending on energy; where exactly in the house is the area with your most significant energy losses; what period of time would an investment in a energy efficient method demand before paying for itself in real energy savings; would you have to use the help of a professional or could you implement the system yourself?
Answering all these questions is definitely going to lead to a profound understanding of any energy consumption problems that might exist in your household, as well as to discovering the most recommended techniques that might be able to lead to greatly reducing the amount of energy unnecessarily wasted.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are becoming far more common for indoor lighting solutions due to their human and environmental safety, cost, and longevity. An LED is a solid-state semiconductor diode that emits light when an electrical current is applied in the forward direction of the device, as in the simple LED circuit. The effect is a form of electro-luminescence where incoherent and narrow-spectrum light is emitted.
LEDs are widely used as indicator lights on electronic devices and increasingly in higher power applications such as flashlights and area lighting. An LED is usually a small area light source, often with optics added to the chip to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection. The color of the emitted light depends on the composition and condition of the semi-conducting material used, and can be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet.
Why Choose LED Lighting?
1. The LED advantage: LED (light emitting diodes) are solid state technology and offers the most efficient (energy savings) form of lighting available. In comparison to conventional incandescent light bulbs, LEDs can be equated at approximately 7 to 8 time equivalence. For example, a 3 watt LED can produce as much illumination as a 20 watt incandescent light bulb.
2. On average, LEDs last 3 to 5 times longer than fluorescents and 20 to 30 times longer than incandescent.
3. LED lamps allow less maintenance costs, lower heating and utility costs and reduces the need for higher rated cable, transformers and electrical components.
4. LED lamps are very resilient, shock and vibration proof and virtually waterproof.
5. LEDs are smaller and more compact and provide more light output per square inch than any other light source.
6. LED lamps produce very little heat and no UV rays, making them safer to handle and safer to use. Ideal for sensitive fabrics/paintings.
7. LEDs are not sensitive to extreme temperatures (unlike fluorescent).
8. Solid state LEDs can be controlled with a processor to achieve unique lighting effects.
9. LEDs are available in cool white, warm white and multiple colors.
10. LEDs draw (on average) about 1/10th the power of today's conventional lighting, providing new alternative solutions to conventional energy saving lamps. LEDs are the most environmentally friendly lamp technology.
11. Along with Fluorescent bulbs, LED technology is the future of lighting. It can reduce many types of pollution and meet the need for the continued world wide energy demand
Compare LED to Standard Fluorescent and Incandescent and Light Bulbs*
Category LED Fluorescent Incandescent/Halogen Avg. Utility Cost per Month (20w) .02 cents .35 cents .86 cents Lumens per Watt (avg.) 50 to 60 32 to 40 14 to 18 Wattage Equivalent (20w) 3 watt 9 watt 20 watt Average Longetivity 75,000 hrs 15,000 hrs 2500 hrs Maintenance Zero Ballast issues Replacement Average Cost Compared to Incandescent 3x 2x variable Operation Instant On / No Flickering Delay and Flickering Instant On / No Flickering Added Cost Minimal Service Ballast/ Service High Service Safety No Gas or Glass Gas and Glass Glass and Heat Damage due to Shock and Vibration Zero Problem Problematic Problematic Size per Unit Smallest Medium Largest Heat Issue Least Ballast Gets Hot Lamp Gets Hot UV Stable (ultra violet) Stabilized Not UV Stable Stabilized Light Control Most Control Variable Control Variable Control Weather/Temperature Changes Not Sensitive Sensitive Some Sensitivity Ecology/Environment Minimal Issues Some Issues Damaging
Note: These comparisons are based on national averages.
Summary on Savings: Energy bills, Heating Bills, Fixture Longevity, Maintenance and Replacement Labor. These savings may far outweigh the higher cost of solid state (LED) lighting products.
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