LED lighting: all the advantages (and some disadvantages)

Guendalina Guaita
Author

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When it comes to technological innovation in the home, among the many aspects to consider we undoubtedly find LED lighting systems. In recent years, in fact, these lamps have become a priority choice for those who want to furnish their home with particular attention to environmental protection, savings and the latest design innovations.

LED is the acronym English for Light Emitting Diode, a technology that has found more and more use. LED lighting has gained a place in industrial and domestic lighting since the 1990s due to its high level of energy efficiency and low environmental impact.

LED lighting has advantages and disadvantages. What are they compared to traditional systems? And why are more and more people choosing these bulbs to illuminate their homes?

To help you clarify the topic, we have decided to collect some useful information on LED lighting in this article, illustrating the advantages and disadvantages compared to the most popular alternatives on the market.

Let's look in detail at the positive aspects of switching from traditional light bulbs to LED lighting systems.

Advantages of LEDs: energy savings

LED light bulbs, compared to incandescent and halogen lighting systems, guarantee an estimated energy saving of between 50 and 70%.

In fact, LEDs generate a luminous flux approximately 5 times higher than other technologies. A light bulb that consumes 40 watts can therefore be replaced by an LED one that consumes 17 watts, without reducing the effective brightness of the room.

Consequently, with LED lighting the advantages in terms of domestic energy savings are notable after just a few months.

Greater luminous efficiency

As mentioned above, LED systems guarantee significantly higher luminous efficiency than traditional systems. By efficiency we mean the ratio between the luminous flux measured in lumens and the input power calculated in watts, or, to put it simply, the amount of light generated with each watt of energy. In the following table you can immediately see the advantage guaranteed by LED bulbs:

  • incandescent lamps efficiency of 13 lumens per watt of energy (lm/w);
  • halogen lamps 16 lm/w;
  • fluorescent lighting 50 lm/w;
  • LED 120 lm/w.

A single LED bulb generates light up to ten times more powerful than old systems. If you have only a few light points to exploit, LED is the perfect choice. an excellent solution for illuminating your home and making it elegant and welcoming.

A much longer lifespan

One of the advantages of LEDs is also the average lifespan of the lamps, which reaches about 50,000 hours, with a constant maintenance of 70% light output. Some bulbs even reach up to 100,000 hours!

When we talk about lifespan, the comparison with other systems is unbelievable. overwhelming: for filament lamps the average lifespan is around 1,000 hours, while for fluorescent neon lamps the estimate is around 7,000 hours. The LED therefore lasts between 7 and 50 times longer than other systems: many fewer bulbs to change around the house!

Protection of the environment with a reduced environmental impact

LED lighting systems not only guarantee savings in terms of domestic energy consumption, but also have a very low level of emissions.

Regarding environmental impact and LED bulbs, the advantages derive above all from the low heat dispersion. The diode, in fact, emits less warm light than filaments or neon lamps. The heat is retained inside the bulb at a maximum temperature of around 50 degrees. This means that the bulbs remain cool, or at most lukewarm, even after many hours of use and that the heat is not dissipated into the environment.

Furthermore, these lamps do not emit ultraviolet or infrared rays, and thanks to their longer lifespan, they contribute to waste production.

They also work with low energy

Another interesting aspect is the low level of energy that the LED requires, a factor that reduces both consumption and the level of emissions. These lamps also work perfectly with renewable energy sources such as the sun and air, as even a small energy flow is sufficient to turn on the light.

The ignition time is equal to zero seconds even in extreme conditions, with temperatures down to minus 40 degrees. LED lamps, moreover, do not need to heat up like normal incandescent bulbs and illuminate immediately at maximum power.

LED lamps are more robust

Diode bulbs are more robust and resistant to shocks than incandescent bulbs. Not only that: although diodes are sensitive to dust and humidity, the capsule that contains them always guarantees a higher level of protection when compared to traditional systems.

The resistance and longevity LED lighting offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance costs, with a much lower risk of bulb burnout.

LED bulbs: the advantages of small dimensions

With average dimensions significantly smaller than traditional lamps and always top brightness, LEDs can be integrated with the furniture in a discreet and original way. You can implement your lighting system directly into a shelf or bookcase to create a unique atmosphere. The enormous adaptability The use of these lamps makes them perfect for devising architectural solutions even for small apartments or for stylishly illuminating balconies and terraces.

The disadvantages of LED lighting

So far we have illustrated the numerous strengths of LED lamps. Let's quickly summarize them:

  • energy savings;
  • greater luminous efficiency;
  • a longer life;
  • a reduced environmental impact;
  • full operation even with low energy;
  • greater sturdiness;
  • small size.

We must, however, also dwell on the disadvantages, or rather the only disadvantage linked to LED bulbs: an average cost significantly higher than traditional ones.

This is, however, an absolutely relative detail. You can compensate for the higher cost of buying bulbs in the medium term with the great savings on energy consumption and maintenance costs ensured by this type of lighting.

If you are renovating your home, also remember that you can benefit from the additional bonus provided for furniture and appliances which includes the purchase and installation of lighting systems, as indicated in Revenue Agency guide.

Now that you know more about LED lamps and the advantages and disadvantages they offer, you have all the tools to decide whether and how to improve the energy efficiency of your home and save on your energy bill.

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