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Whereas the marketplace for colored (Red, Green, Blue) RGB LEDs is more developed, the market for white LEDs is still growing. Why? When you think about industries that still rely on white, non-LED lighting, such as for example televisions, automotive manufacturers, computer monitors, mobile computing, LCD backlights, etc., you can understand the push to end up being the leader in white LED manufacturing.

Lots of people are surprised a business would pass up a revenue generating opportunity that converting a home or business to LED would create. However, because replacement white LED bulbs and retrofits are finally on the market, does not imply that they should be on your immediate shopping list. In very simple terms, the marketplace for colored and color-changing LEDs is mature. While engineers remain 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 better to think about colored LEDs (RGB) and white LEDs in terms of another industry: Automotive. RGB LEDs are just like the internal combustion engine: Reliable, abundant, easy to use and manufacture, and fairly well developed with regards to the prospect of new or breakthrough technologies. There are lots on manufacturers and each has their very own group of patents and “tricks of the trade” to help give themselves some marketing leverage over the competition. White LEDs are like the alternative energy industry for transportation: Quite varied, still relatively “new”, still having to be market proven, more costly, more challenging to manage.

There are lots of manufacturers, each using a different technology or mix of technologies to attain what they believe is the “another big thing.” Following this 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 thought of previously. White LEDs, on the other hand are still developing technically and really should not be shopped based on cost alone. The need for quality and longevity is what fuels the further research and development into white LEDs.

11 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN DETERMINING LED UPGRADES

Because you can find so many variables that require to be considered, creating a fast and simple recommendation about transitioning to white LEDs isn’t possible. To acquire a jump start on the future, consider every lighting source in each room and establish what it’s primary purpose is. When you have done this, review the following items to help determine where on the priority purchase-list each replacement should be. Below are a few general ideas to help you determine if an LED upgrade may be the right choice for you personally:

1.) Is the lighting located in a home where in fact the primary resident is older or has mobility issues?

If the LED replacement produces adequate light levels, LED alternatives are ideal for use in homes where safety is really a top priority. Knowing that an ill or older person won’t have to change a burned-out lamp again can offer peace-of-mind.

2.) Is initial cost a primary element in determining if you are going to upgrade?

The existing nature of the white LED market means that prices remain relatively high, especially compared to traditional lighting. As an early adopter means paying reduced; are you comfortable with knowing you might have paid less for the same technology if you had waited?

3.) May be the light located in bright daytime sunlight or an area of high heat?

High levels of heat will noticeably shorten the lifespan of any LED, especially white LEDs. When considering LEDs, try to make sure that both the fixture and the positioning allow for adequate passive cooling in order to avoid color-shift and longevity issues. office lighting types 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 great for these areas because they produce no heat and because affordably illuminating smaller areas with LEDs presents much less of a challenge.

5.) Is the lighting located in an area 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 light bulb filament and cold temperatures that can result in a fluorescent tube to flicker are of no consequence to LED lighting, making these replacements a simple decision.

6.) Is the brightness critical to the application?

LEDs are directional by nature, so trying to meet a particular brightness expectation over a broad area is not the best usage of LED lamps. The existing 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 support an LED replacement?

Most current lights are made 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, you can find often many compromises that must be made by manufacturers to make LEDs “work” for the best amount of retrofits. When possible, instead of retrofit bulbs look at a “total package” LED lighting fixture that has been designed from the ground around efficiently use LEDs.

8.) Is the light output and quality of the LED version acceptable compared to your existing lighting?

With all of the lighting technology available (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) the only way to get a precise idea of how the lighting will perform is to compare the light output or lumen and color temperature specifications rather than 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 found on foods, to help consumers compare lighting.

9.) Will be the bulbs you’re considering replacing difficult to gain access to or reach?

If they are, LED replacements are great candidates because after they are changed, you will likely never have to improve them again since LEDs do not “burn up” like a conventional bulb.

10.) Are you replacing all the lights in a particular area or just a single bulb?

Unless you know the colour temperature of all lighting in the area, try to be consistent in whatever lighting technology you select. For example, if your room uses primarily halogen lighting, it is likely a warm color temperature and changing a single reading lamp to LED with a cooler lighting temperature will not only be noticeable, but can also be distracting.

11.) Does the energy savings and/or return on investment (ROI) make it worthwhile at this point?Prepare an energy audit using free web calculators to determine how much money you will save on energy and what the potential return on investment is. Just enter your time rates, the total wattage of one’s conventional lighting and the full total wattage of the LED lighting that you will be considering and the calculator will tell you exactly how much money each technology can cost you per year.

As you can 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 allowance and your expectations. In general, LED lighting will continue to improve in both output and efficiency each year similar to the way the personal computer market has evolved. What could be considered a “middle of the road” LED lamp today, was more than likely considered a premium product per year or two ago. Prioritizing your LED lighting purchases so the basics are covered first and delaying your more demanding lighting requirements because the technology improves will ensure a cushty transition to tomorrows lighting technology.