By: B. K. Vijay
Another technology has been added to the list of light sources that are available to us and it is LED technology. LED stands for “light emitting diode”. Many of you might already heard of it and some may be already using it, but this article is for those who are unaware of advantages and facts about LEDs.
Let us first see some advantages of using LED bulbs
Durability
- LEDs are extremely durable and can last for 40,000 to 50,000 hours while other light sources like CFLs and tube lights last 10,000 to 20,000 hours only.
- The chances of breaking are also less in LEDs as the material used for manufacturing LED bulbs is plastic, unlike CFL bulbs and tube lights which are made up of glass.
Energy efficient
- LEDs consume less energy and give more light. For example, to emit 210 lumens of brightness, LEDs consume 3W, while CFL bulbs and tube lights consume more than 5W.
- LEDs are 95% energy efficient. That means 95% of the power consumed by LED bulbs is converted to light.
Eco-friendly and pleasant
- LED bulbs do not contain any carbon gases or mercury content, that are harmful for environment.
- Also, LED bulbs do not generate any heat while working. The light that is emitted by LEDs is similar to natural day light.
Wide voltage range and extreme weather conditions
- LEDs are designed to work in extreme weather conditions and are capable of working with wide range of voltage. The chances of failure are very less during fluctuations in the current supply.
We have seen that LEDs have many benefits compared to other light sources like CFL bulbs and tube lights, but, the only thing that is pulling back the customers from adopting them is the cost. LEDs are very expensive. People will certainly adopt this new technology if manufacturers make a move to reduce the prices.
Interestingly, 0.5W LED bulb stands out from the group as it is the only one that is affordable. Its actual M.R.P is Rs. 70, but you can get it for Rs. 60 at many electrical stores. It emits 40 lumens of light which is ideal as a night lamp. We will discuss about this 0.5W LED bulb in detail in our next article.
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Tube Lights, CFLs, LEDs – What is the Best Option?