Skip to content

SciTech

A brighter, more reliable future with LED lighting

by Dave Collier 21 Dec 2011
A brighter, more reliable future with LED lighting

Three light-emitting diode lamps via Shutterstock

The light-emitting diode (LED) is not a new invention. First created in 1927, they have slowly become an integral part of our daily lives. The price of the semiconductors involved in their manufacture delayed this process and it wasn't until the 70's that they became commercially viable for mass production. The iconic red displays of that era were seen in everything from watches to calculators.

As a method of displaying alphanumeric information they served their purpose but they couldn't compete with incandescent or fluorescent bulbs for lighting. Over the last ten years the technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, moving from the limited red diodes to white and blue diodes that are able to produce light at excellent efficiency levels. Commercial LED lights have reached real-world efficiency levels of approximately 46 lumens per Watt compared to 17.5 lumens per Watt for a normal incandescent bulb, 24 for a halogen bulb, or 50 - 70 for a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).

Due to the maturity of this technology, environmental groups around the world now recommend the replacement of incandescent light sources with LEDs or CFLs but deciding which technology to use is not so simple. A survey by the Energy Saving Trust, a British non-profit organisation, may help to push future purchasers towards LED solutions.

Their study looked at thousands of light fittings, measuring energy use, durability, light levels and colour temperature. Changing light sources from incandescent to LED had positive results in every aspect. In the first phase of the study alone they managed to save 2 million kWh per year and over the duration of the completed study they had saved enough energy to light almost 6,000 households.

The colour temperature changed from the yellowy white (3300K) of traditional lighting to the cooler temperatures of LED (5000K). Daylight is usually approximately 6500K, demonstrating that the LEDs were producing a more 'natural' colour.

As the price of LED lamps decreases the initial outlay will not be seen as a barrier to this investment. As James Russil from the Energy Saving Trust pointed out, "The final issue to overcome in getting LED lighting in more buildings is cost. It's a fact of life that when technologies are new to market the cost tends to be quite high and reduce as they become more mass-market." As he also noted, this is happening as we speak and with a little more time it is likely that they will replace the old bulbs in our homes and businesses.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping