LED Lighting

11 Aug LED Lighting

LED lighting is fast become the norm for all consumers in Ireland. There are many benefits of using LED lighting for all types of consumers. Have a read through our blog here on LED lighting to learn some more.

The Technical Stuff
What are LEDs?
LED is the acronym for Light-Emitting Diode. An LED is a diode consisting of a semi-conductor chip constructed in a way that generates photons to emit energy in the form of light when an electric current passes through it.

How LEDs Work
An LED, as mentioned above, is a semiconductor diode. It consists of a chip of semiconducting material treated to create a structure called a p-n (positive-negative) junction. When connected to a power source, current flows from the p-side or anode to the n-side, or cathode, but not in the reverse direction. Charge-carriers (electrons and electron holes) flow into the junction from electrodes. When an electron meets a hole, it falls into a lower energy level, and releases energy in the form of a photon (light).
The specific wavelength or color emitted by the LED depends on the materials used to make the diode.
LEDs differ from traditional light sources in the way they produce light. In an incandescent lamp, a tungsten filament is heated by electric current until it glows or emits light. In a fluorescent lamp, an electric arc excites mercury atoms, which emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. After striking the phosphor coating on the inside of glass tubes, the UV radiation is converted and emitted as visible light.

Benefits of LED lighting

Energy Efficiency : They are five times more energy efficient than other bulbs (incandescent, halogen and CFL)

Environmentally Friendly : LED lighting is an excellent green technology in that is offers the potential for a dramatic reduction in energy consumption. They are more energy efficient, mercury free so safe for the environment.

Long Life / Low Maintenance

Durable / Robust : Unlike incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, CFL compact fluorescent lamps and other types of lamps, LEDs are solid state devices making them much less fragile and more resistant to damage caused by impact shock or vibration. LED lamps are ideal for use in applications requiring frequent on/off switching whereas other light sources can burn out quickly if switched frequently.

Low Cost of Ownership / Save Money

Light Directed where needed / Light Pollution minimised : LED lighting luminaires are directional, sending light only where it is needed and therefore preventing wasted energy and light pollution. LEDs have a more compact form than other light sources such as CFL and facilitate more efficient optics and better control of light.

Instant ON/OFF : LEDs lamps switch on to emit full light output capacity instantly and do not require a warm up period as in the case of fluorescent and CFL light sources. In addition, LEDs can be switched on and off continuously without reducing their life span.

LED Lighting Around the Home:

LED lighting can be used in all rooms around the home. LED bulbs can be bought for existing fittings – to fit pendants, downlighters and wall lights. By replacing your bulbs you will be using less energy and therefore saving money long term. If you are building or renovating there are LED fittings that can be bought to suit all locations. LED lighting works extremely well outdoors around the home or garden area.
Recommendation: Generally speaking for a downlighter (spot) we use Enlite bulbs 5W, they provide ample light for any situation.

Tip: If you are upgrading, renovateing or building a good tip for extra work light in the kitchen or mood lighting in the sitting room or other areas is to use LED strip lighting that can be concealed well and got in various different colours to produce the effect required.

LED lighting in business:

LED lighting provides the business owner and opportunity to save money. Whether you are upgrading or starting afresh it is a great way to reduce your energy consumption costs. Typically, energy efficient lighting can save an SME between 50% to 90% on their lighting electricity costs.
TIP: If you are the owner of a small/medium enterprise, that is based in the Republic of Ireland and employ 50 or less people you may be entitled to a grant to support you in upgrading your lighting system. If you would like more information on this please contact us on info@stephencreanelectrical.ie to see if you are eligible.