The Innovators - Planters Development Bank

SME
Save Mother
Earth
In other words LED light bulbs are considered “solid-state
lighting” technologies, those that emit light from sources
of solid matter instead of harping on environmental
elements that can possibly heighten depletion of the
world’s available natural resources.
Analyzing LED bulbs
For starters, LED light bulbs promise to help lessen the
light bill due to its very low energy consumption level. This
type of light bulb is known to last longer than any other
traditional lighting and can stay alive until 50,000 hours of
consumption (which is equivalent to roughly 20 years).
In fact, these light bulbs radiate low levels of heat and perform
better than any other traditional pieces with consistently
the same high-levels of brightness and intensity qualities.
Although these are made in many colors, the shade LED bulbs
reflect may not be as clear as regular lighting.
Is it time to
switch to
LED lights?
The phenomenon behind energy-saver LED bulbs
is pushing consumers to make the big switch.
By Portia Silva
Like most manufacturers of mass consumer goods, the lighting industry
has long been pursuing to come up with more energy-efficient and safer
alternatives to incandescent lights, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and
even to true-to-light (TTL) bulbs. With so much environmental issues
being discussed at hand, electricity has been deemed to be one of the
largest contributors to destructive gas emissions in the atmosphere.
While most buyers have already been using TTL bulbs — the lesser evil,
so they say — most of these lighting devices still tend to lose 80 percent
of their energy to heat, meaning these light bulbs perform poorly and are
more expensive. Because of this, the phenomenon behind light emitting
diode (LED) light bulbs is curiously stealing the spotlight.
Introducing LED light bulbs
LED light bulbs have been around the block for many years as these
have been used to light household essentials like flashlights, television
remote controls and digital clocks. Light bulb companies have pegged
LED light bulbs as the “perfect technology” since LED produces light
when electrons move around within its semiconductor structure,
unlike incandescent bulbs that emit light from a vacuum and CFLs
from gas exposures.
Producers of LED light bulbs also claim that these types
of lighting devices are resistant to shock and vibration
which make these easier to install and program. Unlike
CFLs that contain mercury components, there are no toxic
ingredients found in LED bulbs.
Consumers may complain that LED light bulbs appear to
be more expensive than your regular lights, since typical
LED bulb costs at a starting price of P700. But again,
its life span is incomparable and will help you save on
replacement costs and electricity expenses in the long run.
Common types of LED bulbs
There are a variety of LED light bulbs being sold at the
market today. Here’s a quick rundown of the commonly
used LED bulbs in both household and commercial sites:
Flame tips – These indoor LED bulbs are most ideal for
indoor applications like restrooms, powder rooms and
storage spaces. Price range: P700 – P850
Diffused bulbs – Used for areas with low-light
applications such as bedrooms, libraries and computer
dens where lights are left on for extended periods of
time. Price range: P1,200 – P1,515
Flood reflectors – Dimmable, cool lighting that are great
replacements for halogens used in hallways and garages.
Price range: P1,600 – P1,800
Tube lights – Ideal for kitchen counters and vanity
rooms, LED tube lights light up the whole space area.
Price range: P20,000 up
The verdict
The popularity of LED light bulbs accompanies the
expanding movements towards energy conservation
and it is thus very timely to try them out. Sure there will
be a lot of lifestyle changes to be done on your part
and adjusting to LED lighting may take a while, but
doing so means that you are investing on your electricity
consumption as well as helping save Mother Earth one
LED bulb at a time.
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