What's So Great About LED Lighting?
The trend of going green with home design, particularly with the use of energy-efficient materials, has exploded in recent years. And if you’ve heard of LED lighting, then you probably already know that it’s one of the easiest ways to decrease your carbon footprint at home.
What is LED lighting anyway? And what makes it so “green”?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. Light is produced as electrons that move through a semiconductor material to illuminate a diode. These diodes are small and can be integrated into small areas, allowing for a greater variety of lighting options such as under kitchen cabinets or in the shower.
LED lighting differs from the traditional incandescent lighting that you’re probably very familiar with. How so?
- Appearance: LED light is much more natural looking and whiter than the yellowish light given off by incandescent bulbs, especially when those bulbs begin to age. The light from LEDs shine where it is pointed, unlike incandescent bulbs that shine in all directions. Smaller LEDs allows homeowners more flexibility, particularly because homes can now have extra lighting in places that may not have been as feasible with traditional bulbs.
- Efficiency: Incandescent light bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat. Have you ever touched a hot light bulb? Ouch! In contrast, LEDs should be cool to the touch since little heat is released. And this also makes them safer than standard bulbs. LEDs require less electricity which amounts to about $5 per year for each bulb that is replaced with an LED fixture. That could amount to huge savings for the average household.
- Life: The average lifespan of a regular bulb is anywhere from 750 to 2,000 hours. For Energy Star rated LEDs, you should between 25,000 and 50,000 hours of life. What a difference a bulb makes!
Is the lighting in your Atlanta home up to par? If not, Renewal Design-Build can come up with some energy-saving custom solutions for you… all you have to do is contact us!
