Advances in lighting technology mean that there are more interior and exterior lighting options available in than ever before.  While many of us still use traditional lights, the switch over to LED lighting in both residential and commercial settings is gaining momentum.

Initially LED light sources were expensive and considered a phase, but as prices have leveled and the benefits of LED lighting are becoming better appreciated, the tide is slowly turning away from traditional light sources.

As a specialist provider of lighting solutions to some of the best-known names in American television, we really know our stuff when it comes to light sources.  If you are thinking about changing any of your existing lights to LED lights, here are some things you should consider.

COST

Pro’s – LEDs may be more expensive to purchase initially, but they will last far longer than other types of light.  In fact, some LED light bulbs can offer a lifespan of as long 60,000+ hours, compared to only 1,000 hours with incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.  

Con’s – They are definitely more expensive the purchase from the outset.  If you have to replace a lot of bulbs all at once, you may not be willing or able to pay large sums purely for light bulbs.

EFFICIENCY

Pro’s – LEDs are probably the most efficient type of lighting on the market today.  Typical source efficiency ranges between 37 and 120 lumens/watt, whereas most values for LED system efficiency fall above 50 lumens/watt.

Con’s – You may need very bright illumination that would be better served using traditional bulbs, in which case LED may not produce the amount of light you require.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Pro’s – LED lights contain virtually no toxic chemicals and are free from mercury.  This makes them incredibly environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable.  Using LED lights can help to reduce your carbon footprint by up to a third.

Con’s –  Cool white LED lights emit much more blue light than conventional light sources, especially in outside lighting.  This means that they can cause far more light pollution than other sources like traditional high-pressure sodium lamps.  It is therefore important that LED lights are well shielded when used outdoors.

DURABLE QUALITY

Pro’s – Because LED lights do not contain moving parts, they are far more durable and better suited to outdoor, or hard to reach environments.  They can take a fair bit of banging about before they fail.

Con’s – If you are looking to use lighting outside, be aware that LED performance largely depends on the ambient temperature of the operating environment. Too hot or too cold and the unit may fail.

LIGHT QUALITY

Pro’s – LED lights produce a pretty good spectrum of lights and are available in a wide variety of colors, making them a good choice for many domestic and commercial applications.

Con’s – If you are looking for professional grade lighting, with a particular requirement for high-quality rendering, LED lights can render badly using cool-white LED’s.

Overall, the move towards LED lighting is gaining momentum, with many users beginning to see the value in paying more for bulbs, that will effectively last longer and save them money over time.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.