Whereas the marketplace for colored (Red, Green, Blue) RGB LEDs is more developed, the marketplace for white LEDs continues to be growing. Why? Once you think of industries that still depend on white, non-LED lighting, such as for example televisions, automotive manufacturers, computer monitors, notebook computers, LCD backlights, etc., you can understand the push to end up being the leader in white LED manufacturing.
Lots of people are surprised that a business would avoid a revenue generating opportunity that converting a house or business to LED would create. However, because replacement white LED bulbs and retrofits are finally in the marketplace, does not imply that they should be on your immediate grocery list. In very easy terms, the marketplace for colored and color-changing LEDs is mature. While engineers are still finding ways to make sure they are brighter and more efficient, the ultimate goal of the LED industry is in developing volume production of high-efficiency, high-brightness white LEDs.
It may be simpler to think of colored LEDs (RGB) and white LEDs in terms of another industry: Automotive. RGB LEDs are like the internal combustion engine: Reliable, abundant, easy to use and manufacture, and fairly well developed in terms of the prospect of new or breakthrough technologies. There are lots on manufacturers and each has their own group of patents and “tricks of the trade” to help give themselves some marketing leverage on the competition. White LEDs are just like the alternative energy industry for transportation: Quite varied, still relatively “new”, still needing to be market proven, more costly, more challenging to manage.
There are several manufacturers, each utilizing a different technology or combination of technologies to attain what they believe is the “another big thing.” Third , analogy, RGB LEDs are mature enough to compete on cost alone and the drop in costs is what fuels new applications for colored LEDs that was not considered previously. White LEDs, however are still developing technically and really should not be shopped based on cost alone. office lighting types for quality and longevity is what fuels the further research and development into white LEDs.
11 POINTS TO CONSIDER IN DETERMINING LED UPGRADES
Because there are so many variables that need to be considered, making a fast and simple recommendation about transitioning to white LEDs is not possible. To get a jump start on the near future, consider every lighting source in each room and establish what it’s primary purpose is. When you have done this, review the next items to help determine where on the priority purchase-list each replacement ought to be. Below are a few general guidelines to help you determine if an LED upgrade may be the right choice for you:
1.) Is the lighting located in a house where in fact the primary resident is older or has mobility issues?
If the LED replacement produces adequate light levels, LED alternatives are perfect for use in homes where safety is a top priority. Knowing that an ill or older person will not have to change a burned-out light bulb again can offer peace-of-mind.
2.) Is initial cost a primary element in determining if you are going to upgrade?
The current nature of the white LED market implies that prices are still relatively high, especially compared to traditional lighting. As an early adopter means paying reduced; are you more comfortable with knowing you might have paid less for exactly the same technology in the event that you had waited?
3.) Is the light situated in bright daytime sunlight or an area of high heat?
High degrees of heat will noticeably shorten the lifespan of any LED, especially white LEDs. When considering LEDs, try to ensure that both fixture and the location enable adequate passive cooling in order to avoid color-shift and longevity issues. This is a much bigger concern when considering retrofit bulbs versus considering a “total package” LED fixture and lamp.
4.) Are you having to reduce the heat output from a traditional light source?
In bathrooms, laundry rooms and small spaces, conventional lighting can produce uncomfortable heat. LED lighting is ideal for these areas since they produce no heat and because affordably illuminating smaller areas with LEDs presents significantly less of a challenge.
5.) Is the lighting located in a location of rough service or environmental extremes?
Garage door openers, unheated/cooled utility rooms and outdoor workshops place extreme demands of lighting equipment. Vibrations that can break a lamp filament and cold temperatures that can cause a fluorescent tube to flicker are of no consequence to LED lighting, making these replacements a fairly easy decision.
6.) Is the brightness critical to the application form?
LEDs are directional naturally, so attempting to meet a specific brightness expectation over a broad area is not the best usage of LED lamps. The current crop of standard fluorescent tubes or high-bay lighting will probably be better for these applications.
7.) Are you attempting to retrofit a preexisting lighting fixture to accommodate an LED replacement?
Most current lights are created to capture and reflect just as much light as you possibly can from conventional light sources that produce light from all 360 degrees. Because LEDs emit very directional light, there are often many compromises that must be made by manufacturers in order to make LEDs “work” for the greatest number of retrofits. When possible, rather than retrofit bulbs consider a “total package” LED lighting fixture that is designed from the bottom around efficiently use LEDs.
8.) Is the light output and quality of the LED version acceptable compared to your existing lighting?
With the variety of lighting technology available (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) the only method to get an accurate idea of how the lighting will perform is to compare the light output or lumen and color temperature specifications instead of the wattage as is typical of most of us raised with traditional lighting in the house. The US Department of Energy has devised a standardized “lighting facts” label similar in concept to the nutrition label entirely on foods, to greatly help consumers compare lighting.
9.) Are the bulbs you’re considering replacing difficult to access or reach?
If they’re, LED replacements are excellent candidates because after they are changed, you will likely never have to improve them again since LEDs do not “burn up” just like a conventional bulb.
10.) Are you currently replacing all the light bulbs in a specific area or just an individual bulb?
Unless you know the color temperature of all the lighting in the area, play the role of consistent in whatever lighting technology you choose. For example, if your room uses primarily halogen lighting, chances are a warm color temperature and changing a single reading lamp to LED with a cooler lighting temperature can not only be noticeable, but may also be distracting.
11.) Does the power savings and/or return on investment (ROI) make it worthwhile at this stage?Prepare a power audit using free web calculators to determine how much money you will save on energy and what the potential profits on return is. Just enter your energy rates, the total wattage of your conventional lighting and the total wattage of the LED lighting that you will be considering and the calculator will let you know how much money each technology can cost you per year.
As you can plainly see, every lighting situation is highly recommended individually against the above checklist. Doing this will help you to determine LED upgrade plans that fit within both your budget and your expectations. Generally, LED lighting will continue to improve in both output and efficiency every year like the way the non-public computer market has evolved. What could possibly be considered a “middle of the road” LED lamp today, was more than likely considered a premium product a year or two ago. Prioritizing your LED lighting purchases so that the basics are covered first and delaying your more demanding lighting requirements as the technology improves will ensure a cushty transition to tomorrows lighting technology.
