Whereas the market for colored (Red, Green, Blue) RGB LEDs is well established, the market for white LEDs is still growing. Why? Once you think about industries that still depend on white, non-LED lighting, such as for example televisions, automotive manufacturers, computer monitors, notebook computers, LCD backlights, etc., it is possible to understand the push to become the leader in white LED manufacturing.
Many people are surprised a business would pass up a revenue generating opportunity that converting a home or business to LED would create. However, just because replacement white LED bulbs and retrofits are finally available, does not mean that they should be on your immediate shopping list. In very easy terms, the marketplace for colored and color-changing LEDs is mature. While engineers remain finding ways to make them 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 of colored LEDs (RGB) and white LEDs when it comes to another industry: Automotive. RGB LEDs are like the internal combustion engine: Reliable, abundant, user friendly and manufacture, and fairly well developed with regards to the prospect of new or breakthrough technologies. You will find plenty on manufacturers and each has their own set of patents and “tricks of the trade” to help give themselves some marketing leverage on the competition. White LEDs are like the alternative energy industry for transportation: Quite varied, still relatively “new”, still having to be market proven, more expensive, more challenging to manage.
There are plenty of manufacturers, each utilizing a different technology or combination of technologies to attain what they believe may be the “the next big thing.” Third , 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 considered previously. White LEDs, however are still developing technically and should not be shopped based on cost alone. The necessity for quality and longevity is what fuels the further research and development into white LEDs.
11 POINTS TO CONSIDER IN DETERMINING LED UPGRADES
Because there are so many variables that require to be considered, creating a fast and simple recommendation about transitioning to white LEDs is not possible. To obtain 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 next what to help determine where on the priority purchase-list each replacement ought to be. Below are a few general guidelines to help you determine if an LED upgrade may be the right choice for you personally:
1.) Is the lighting located in a house where the primary resident is older or has mobility issues?
If the LED replacement produces adequate light levels, LED alternatives are perfect for used in homes where safety is really a top priority. Knowing that an ill or older person will not need to change a burned-out light bulb again can offer peace-of-mind.
2.) Is initial cost a primary factor in determining if you are going to upgrade?
The existing nature of the white LED market implies 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 in the event that you had waited?
3.) Is the light situated in bright daytime sunlight or a location of high heat?
High degrees of heat will noticeably shorten the lifespan of any LED, especially white LEDs. When contemplating LEDs, try to make sure that both the fixture and the location enable adequate passive cooling to avoid color-shift and longevity issues. This is usually a much bigger concern when contemplating retrofit bulbs versus considering a “total package” LED fixture and lamp.
4.) Are dimmable high bay led lighting having to decrease the heat output from the traditional light source?
In bathrooms, laundry rooms and small spaces, conventional lighting can produce uncomfortable heat. LED lighting is great for these areas since they produce no heat and because affordably illuminating smaller areas with LEDs presents much less of a challenge.
5.) May be 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 lamp filament and cold temperatures that can cause a fluorescent tube to flicker are of no consequence to LED lighting, making these replacements a fairly easy decision.
6.) May be the brightness critical to the application form?
LEDs are directional by nature, so attempting to meet a particular brightness expectation over a broad area is not the best use of LED lamps. The current crop of standard fluorescent tubes or high-bay lighting will probably be more efficient for these applications.
7.) Are you attempting to retrofit a preexisting lighting fixture to accommodate an LED replacement?
Most current lighting fixtures are created 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, there are often many compromises that must definitely be made by manufacturers to make LEDs “work” for the best number of retrofits. When possible, instead of retrofit bulbs consider a “total package” LED lighting fixture that is designed from the ground up to efficiently use LEDs.
8.) Is the light output and quality of the LED version acceptable in comparison to your existing lighting?
With all of the lighting technology available (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) the only method to get a precise idea of how the lighting will perform is to compare the light output or lumen and color temperature specifications instead of the wattage as is typical of most of us raised with traditional lighting in the house. THE UNITED STATES Department of Energy has devised a standardized “lighting facts” label similar in concept to the nutrition label found on foods, to greatly help consumers compare lighting.
9.) Will be the bulbs you’re considering replacing difficult to access or reach?
If they’re, LED replacements are great candidates because once they are changed, you’ll likely never have to improve them again since LEDs do not “burn up” like a conventional bulb.
10.) Are you currently replacing all the light bulbs in a particular area or just a single bulb?
Unless you know the color temperature of all lighting in the area, try to be consistent in whatever lighting technology you select. For instance, if your room uses primarily halogen lighting, chances are a warm color temperature and changing a single reading lamp to LED with a cooler lighting temperature can not only be noticeable, but can also be distracting.
11.) Does the power savings and/or return on investment (ROI) ensure it is worthwhile at this time?Prepare a power 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 energy rates, the full total wattage of your conventional lighting and the total wattage of the LED lighting you are considering and the calculator will let you know how much money each technology can cost you per year.
As you can plainly see, every lighting situation is highly recommended individually contrary to the above checklist. Doing this will help you to determine LED upgrade plans that fit within both your allowance and your expectations. Generally, LED lighting will continue to improve in both output and efficiency each year like the way the non-public computer market has evolved. What could be considered a “middle of the road” LED lamp today, was more than likely considered a premium product a year or two ago. Prioritizing your LED lighting purchases in order that the basics are covered first and delaying your more demanding lighting requirements because the technology improves will ensure a comfortable transition to tomorrows lighting technology.
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