Comparison of LED Bulbs with Older Lighting Technologies
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce visible illumination while being the more energy-saving alternative to light sources. Unlike older technologies such as tungsten and halogen lights, LED bulbs are widely used for their longevity and versatility, allowing clients to choose the most suitable color for their space. While halogen lamps require gas to produce the light, the LED, as a semiconductor device, contains no filament (Gordon, 2017). Hence, its composition and physical characteristics outrun the traditional sources of light.
Measurements Used to Establish the Amount of Light from an LED Bulb
While wattage calculates the energy consumed by the LEDs, lumens determine the visible light amount from the LED bulb. As an illustration, 20-watt packages produce thousands of lumen lights (Gordon, 2017, p. 130). Meanwhile, a 10-watt LED bulb produces a similar number of lumens generated by incandescent light sources with tungsten-wired filaments.
The 2-8 mm in diameter allows LEDs to replace traditional lamps in their sockets. More importantly, clients choose their preferred light spectrum based on LEDs’ Kelvins. For example, warm white colors are emitted in 2700-3000K, but the cool white is around 4100K (Lenk & Lenk, 2017, p. 47). This way, LEDs offer different options of deeply saturated colored lights.
Advantages of LED Bulbs in Terms of Environmental Impact
However, LEDs overtake old technology not only in measurements but also in terms of environmental benefits. LEDs are primarily more energy-efficient and potentially longer beneficial than filament sources (Gordon, 2017). This advantage means people replace them less often, reducing the waste of constant manufacture and disposition.
As Lenk and Lenk (2017) discuss, LEDs are a better alternative to fluorescent lightning as they have no toxic mercury, the disposition of which is harmful to human health and the environment. Furthermore, incandescent bulbs require heating a metal for glowing, but LEDs do not generate unnecessary heat, saving energy. Thus, LEDs provide a more sustainable energy solution to the old technologies with less lifespan and energy efficiency.
References
Gordon, G. (2017). Interior lighting for designers. New Jersey, Hoboken: Wiley.
Lenk, R. & Lenk, C. (2017) Practical lighting design with Leds. New Jersey, Hoboken: Wiley.
