Few energy industries are as fast-changing as the lighting industry. With hundreds of manufacturers across the globe each competing to create the most efficient and effective lighting technology, there is never a shortage of brand new lamps and fixtures to learn about. With all the constant change, it doesn’t take long for even a well-informed consumer to fall behind in the lighting knowledge department. It’s for this reason we believe some people still hold misconceptions about LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.
We've compiled a list of the five most common myths we hear so that we can debunk them and convince more consumers to embrace this game-changing technology:
LEDs Are Too Expensive
Like most new technology, LED lighting was pricey in its early stages. But while the cost of LEDs has decreased dramatically in the past decade, this myth keeps hanging on.
The reason why so many people are switching to LED lighting is because the math just makes sense. The initial cost of replacing an outdated lamp with an LED is usually paid back in energy cost savings within the first two years of use. Even when compared to efficient fluorescent lighting, LEDs have a much longer lifespan and use less electricity, meaning that over their operating lifetime they will save you money. In addition to being the more energy efficient option, there are many other valuable benefits of switching to LEDs such as a decreased cooling load, more dimming capabilities, no warm-up time, and many others.
In most Canadian provinces, the power utility or local energy efficiency organization will even offer rebates that can help reduce the initial cost of converting your business to LEDs. These rebates exist as a way to encourage businesses to lower their overall electricity consumption, which reduces strain on electrical infrastructure and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LED Fixtures and Bulbs are Ugly
A simple web search for LED light fixture will show how wrong this really is. As the demand for LED lighting continues to grow, more designs are created to accommodate a wider range of applications. From bright exterior area lighting to the most extravagant chandeliers, LEDs are extremely versatile in both style and functionality.
LEDs Produce Cold, Harsh Light
This is probably the myth we hear most often, but the idea that the light emitted from LEDs is too cold or harsh is simply not true. This myth probably began during the early adoption stages of commercial LED lighting, when it was true that most available bulb-style LEDs had higher colour temperatures (meaning they appeared on the blue end of the colour spectrum) and tended to cast more glare than incandescent lighting.
Nowadays, LEDs are readily available in a range of colour temperatures. This means you can still achieve that warm, cozy light just like that of an incandescent lamp, but at a fraction of the energy cost. Numerous options for add-ons such as diffusers can eliminate glare and create virtually any lighting design you can envision. LEDs are also excellent at rendering colours, so they are great for illuminating workspaces where a high level of visual detail is needed.
There are Harmful Materials Inside LEDs
This myth likely stems from people confusing LED lamps with covered CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) which can be quite similar in appearance. CFLs (and all fluorescent lighting) contain mercury, a chemical element toxic to humans. The mercury within a fluorescent lamp can be released as vapor if the lamp is shattered, and this can of course be dangerous if ingested. That said, LEDs contain absolutely no mercury and are harmless if broken. Because of this, the recycling process for LED lamps is also much simpler and consumers don’t have to worry about expensive end-of-life recycling costs.
Nowadays, LEDs are readily available in a range of colour temperatures. This means you can still achieve that warm, cozy light just like that of an incandescent lamp, but at a fraction of the energy cost. Numerous options for add-ons such as diffusers can eliminate glare and create virtually any lighting design you can envision. LEDs are also excellent at rendering colours, so they are great for illuminating workspaces where a high level of visual detail is needed.
You Can't Dim an LED
Once again, this myth probably started when people assumed LEDs would function more like a CFL. While most CFLs are not dimmable (and when they are it is expensive and complicated), LEDs actually dim very smoothly and dimming even increases their life. Heat dissipation is key to the longevity of an LED fixture, and because dimming allows LEDs to operate at a lower temperature, their lifespan is increased. And unlike fluorescents, dimming an LED will allow it to draw less power than when it’s operating at its rated output, saving even more on energy costs.
A majority of the myths surrounding LED technology is generally rooted in misconception and more specifically, preconceptions that no longer stand up to the test of time. Innovation has inevitably debunked these myths as applications of LEDs have widened in rage and technologly has followed suit in fulfilling those needs. These myths may have been formed in a time where LED was the technology of the future, but today’s industry certainly showcases LED as the technology of today.
