Outdoor lighting can amplify the beauty of your outdoor living space. And the options are limited only by your creativity. If you are considering installing exterior lighting or landscape lighting around your home, consider these benefits of installing LED outdoor lighting. LED is quickly becoming standard and taking over for traditional light sources. Incandescent, CFL, and halogen lamps are becoming much less common in residential installations. Commercial installations are following suit, albeit more slowly. Even many municipalities are finding the benefits of LED irresistible. Governments large and small are replacing streetlights and other governments systems with modern LED lights. As you’ll see, LED has plenty going for it.
1. LED Lighting is Efficient
LED lighting is the most energy-efficient choice available today. The energy savings make sense on a residential level for sure. But as systems grow in size, to commercial and even municipal systems, the savings can become very significant. An LED converts more of the electrical energy into light than any other lighting technology. Traditional lamps also give off other forms of energy like heat. LED bulbs still have a higher initial investment than other technologies. Each LED costs more to purchase than a comparable light of another variety. But the long-term energy savings—along with savings on maintenance and replacement—more than make up for the initial expenditure. LED lighting is also perfect for outdoor and landscape lighting projects, as it works well with low-voltage power supplies.
2. Long-Lasting Value
LED bulbs can last up to 7 years of continuous use before they need to be replaced! So while the initial investment for LEDs is higher than other lighting systems, the cost over time is significantly less. Ongoing maintenance cost replacement costs for a typical residential or commercial system significantly decrease after installing LED lighting to replace other types of lamps. LED lights are also different from traditional light bulbs in that they don’t really “burn out.” Instead, they become dimmer, and at a certain point, they are considered dead, although they still give off some light. This means that you can replace bulbs after 7 years to bring back optimal performance. But you never actually experience a burnout. Your lights will always function, even when their “lifespan” has been reached.
3. Safety
Because LED lights generate virtually no heat, they are cool to the touch and generally don’t pose the same danger as traditional bulbs when they are left “on” for an extended period. So, the risk of burns or fires associated with LED exterior lighting is significantly lower than those risks are when more traditional light bulbs are used.
However, it is still important to remember that the base of an LED lamp will heat up. Most LED bulbs today include a heat sink, and many have various types of wings or other shapes that allow the bulb to give off heat most effectively.
4. Durability
LED lights are far more durable than other types of lights. Fluorescent tubes, incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps are all made with glass. However, LEDs don’t give off much heat, so lenses and covers can be made of shatter-proof plastic. Because they don’t use the same fragile components—like glass and filaments—LEDs can take much harsher conditions. They can withstand extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures, as well as shocks and vibrations. No matter what Mother Nature throws your way, your LED outdoor lighting can usually go with the flow. They can withstand heavy winds, rain, freezing, and other harsh weather conditions that would destroy other lamps.
5. Eco-Friendly
LED bulbs are one of the most eco-friendly choices for exterior lighting and landscape lighting. First, they are just less toxic. LEDs don’t have the mercury found in traditional fluorescent lighting. In fact, most LED bulbs are made entirely with non-toxic materials, and many are 100% recyclable. Because of their longevity and energy efficiency, when you choose LED lighting, you’re significantly reducing your carbon footprint. You won’t need to replace the bulbs nearly as frequently as with traditional lighting choices, making them energy and resource-efficient.
Other Benefits Of Installing LED Lighting
Other benefits include a look and feel that is virtually identical to that of traditional lighting, a five-year manufacturer’s warranty (as opposed to a one-year warranty for conventional bulbs), and a multitude of color options to help you create an outdoor living space that is uniquely yours. LED outdoor lighting is durable, energy-efficient, long-lasting, and safe for you and your family and the environment. With zero UV emissions and extreme flexibility, LED lighting is the perfect choice for your exterior lighting project.
To learn more about the many benefits of installing LED outdoor lighting around your home in the Atlanta area, contact the LED lighting experts at Night Vision today.