Understanding LED Lights

In the past few years, there’s been a major change in how most homeowners handle their lighting needs. The majority of American homes now have one or more LED light bulbs. Though this change might not seem like a big deal, it has had a significant influence on consumers’ lighting purchases and habits. If you’re interested in learning more about this influential light bulb design, explore our guide to discover how LED bulbs work and why they’re so popular.

What Are LED Lights?

LED stands for light-emitting diode. This name refers to the tiny, light-emitting chips inside all LED bulbs. LED bulbs have been around since the 1960s, originally used for things like clocks and indicator lights because they were too dim for lighting entire rooms. However, modern advancements in LED design have made them both brighter and more affordable. Starting in the early 2000s, manufacturers began fine-tuning LED technology and releasing these bulbs to the public.

Technically speaking, LEDs are a type of semiconductor that emits light when an electrical current passes through them. However, the LED bulbs you encounter in everyday life don’t look quite that high-tech. Instead, most resemble standard light bulbs. LED lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can look like a small, glowing strip of plastic and wires, or they can be shaped like a traditional bulb. Some LED lights are separate items that screw into light fixtures, while others are built directly into a light fixture and cannot be replaced.

How Do LED Lights Work?

Compared to regular bulbs, LED bulbs generate light in a very different manner. Standard incandescent bulbs work by heating a thin wire filament until it glows, and fluorescent lights use a reaction between various gases to produce light. Meanwhile, LEDs generate light through a process known as electroluminescence.

LED lights typically consist of a small semiconductor chip that produces light. This chip contains electrons that become activated when a current flows through them. As the electrons move, they release energy in the form of photons, which we perceive as light.

Most LED lights also include a reflector component to maximize light output. The diodes used in LED lighting are directional, meaning they emit light in a specific direction. Since many light bulbs are designed to light up multiple areas at once, the typical LED bulb has a sheet of reflective material around the diode. This material catches light particles emitted from the diode and directs them outward, maximizing brightness and ensuring the diode can fully illuminate the area.

LED lights are very small; most diodes are around 3 millimeters in size and can only produce a few watts of light. To generate enough light for practical use, such as in a lamp or room light, LED bulbs contain multiple diodes clustered together to produce sufficient brightness.

The Benefits of LED Lights

The unique design of LED light bulbs offers numerous benefits. People who switch to LED bulbs can enjoy the following advantages:

Improved Energy Efficiency

The number one reason that people love LED lights is their energy efficiency. Due to the way they work, they require much less electricity to produce light. Instead of burning large amounts of energy, LED bulbs use a small amount of electricity to activate electrons, which then emit light. LED bulbs are about 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. The average LED light uses just $2.48 to $3.10 in electricity per year, making it an easy way to save money.

A Longer Lifespan

LED bulbs last significantly longer than other types of bulbs. On average, an LED bulb lasts 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb and five times longer than a CFL bulb. This longer lifespan means more convenience for you, as you won’t need to replace bulbs as frequently. Additionally, the longer lifespan results in a lower environmental impact since fewer bulbs need to be manufactured and disposed of over time.

Lower Heat Production

Unlike some other types of bulbs, LED lights do not generate significant heat when producing light. This makes them much cooler to the touch than traditional bulbs, reducing the risk of burns. Reduced heat production also makes LED bulbs a safer choice for light fixtures that might be touched accidentally and helps prevent the warping of fixtures or the heating of rooms during summer.

Flexible Design Options

Because the diodes in LED bulbs are so small, manufacturers have a lot of flexibility in their design. LEDs can range from petite dots to large, tube-shaped bulbs. Some mimic traditional designs like Edison bulbs, while others are flat strips that look modern and sleek. The growing interest in LED bulbs has also led to many new integrated lighting options, where the LEDs are built directly into the fixture, offering innovative and streamlined designs.

More Versatile Controls

The advanced design of LED bulbs makes them ideal for smart lighting. The compact size of LEDs leaves ample space for the smart bulb’s operational software and hardware. Smart bulbs offer a broad range of control options, including setting schedules, remote operation via apps, and even voice control. Some smart bulbs also offer features like color-changing capabilities, allowing them to sync with music or create mood lighting.

Making the Switch to LED Lighting

If you’re interested in reaping the benefits of LED lights, there is one more thing you need to know about how LEDs work. LEDs use a different scale to measure light output compared to traditional bulbs. While most light bulbs use wattage to estimate brightness, LED lights are so energy-efficient that wattage alone doesn’t provide an accurate measure of their brightness. For example, a 10-watt LED produces the same amount of light as a typical 60-watt incandescent bulb.

On one hand, this makes it easier to find bulbs that work in your fixtures, as most LEDs have such low energy consumption that you don’t have to worry about overloading circuits. However, you’ll need to look closely at the packaging to find the right brightness level. Some manufacturers provide a wattage equivalent, comparing their bulbs to traditional ones, while others use lumens, a measure of light output, to indicate brightness more accurately. Ask us about our outdoor lighting services!

If you’re looking for other tips on improving your home systems, Mighty Pine is happy to assist you. We provide residents of Wheat Ridge and other parts of the greater Denver metropolitan area with a variety of electrical repair, installation, and maintenance services. Our team can also assist with a variety of HVAC and plumbing systems. To learn more about our services, get in touch with us today.