As most people are already aware of, homes and businesses are increasingly being encouraged to stop using the all too familiar incandescent light bulbs. While these light bulbs have certainly served us well, governments are eager to see the back of them because they're relatively hungry in terms of energy consumption.
In the past, people only had two basic lighting solutions to choose from. They could either continue using incandescent bulbs, or they could use the fluorescent tube lights. However, tube lights are not very aesthetically pleasing, and many people also find them to be a strain of their eyes. These days however, we can also get compact fluorescent lights (CFL). These are also commonly referred to as "energy efficient lights" simply because they are significantly more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs.
It's worth bearing in mind that in terms of energy consumption, a single incandescent bulb draws the same amount of power as four or five energy efficient lights combined. For example, an 8W CFL can give off the same amount of light as a regular 60W incandescent light. Another good thing about these lights is the fact that they can be used in your existing fixtures, assuming you're currently using regular light bulbs.
Another excellent option that has recently started gaining ground is of course LED lighting. In fact, many people argue that this is one of the best lighting solutions available on the market. The only downside to this form of lighting is that it requires different fittings. However, more and more businesses are making the switch. The question of course, is why?
To begin with, we can rule out cost. The reason for this is because while a single Philips Ambient LED 12.5W light can cost around $ 40 or more, a CFL equivalent can be bought for less than $ 1. Both produce more or less the same amount of light, and both use more or less the same amount of electricity. A major difference however is the length of time these lights are expected to last.
The expected lifespan of the above mentioned LED light is around 20,000 hours, while the expected lifespan of the CFL is only 8,000 hours. So, if you can purchase 40 compact fluorescent lights rather than single LED light, why have LED lights become one of the most preferred lighting solutions for businesses across the country? After all, businesses that make the swap also have to invest money into replacing their commercial lighting fixtures.
First and foremost is the fact that a lot simply depends of personal preferences. Additionally, because LED lights last for so long, they are ideal for use in areas where it might be difficult to replace lights that no longer work. For example, when lights in a supermarket need to be replaced, maintenance workers will usually require scaffolding. If done during opening hours, it's inconvenient and even unpleasant for customers, which is why such things are usually done outside of business hours, but of course that also costs more. In this type of situation, the extra cost of LED lights could have offset by reduced maintenance charges.
