Are you thinking about making the switch to LED lights? There is no question regarding their efficiency, often around 100 lumens/watt, as well as the fact that they emit far fewer UV rays of radiation than any other type of light bulb or fixture. Questions about modern, energy efficient lighting primarily surround concerns related to health and handling, such as whether LED lights are safe.
Before looking for a reliable LED distributor, there are first a few things that need to be understood regarding the safety of LED lights.
How do LED Lights Work?
When determining the safety of LEDs, it can help to first understand how LED lighting works. LED, or Light Emitting Diode, is a semiconductor that lights up as energy is passed through it. This is not a new concept, but it is being widely embraced currently as an energy-efficient, low maintenance lighting option for both homes and businesses. This technology is also found in other devices besides lighting, such as clocks, digital watches, remote controls, TVs, and traffic lights. Since the material contained within the diode of an LED object absorbs the light emitted, there are no emissions. For light fixtures, the diode is encased in some sort of housing that creates illumination.
Technology continues to evolve, and LED light fixtures have come a long way, and progressed beyond incandescent by far. LED does not have the delicate filament that incandescent bulbs do, which are so easily broken rendering the bulb useless. LEDs are cool to the touch, so it is much easier to handle and change. They are less hazardous if they do become broken than other types of bulbs, and are less likely to cause or contribute to a fire.
You will find that generally speaking, LED bulbs have the standard fittings that you can switch out with your existing light fixtures and bulbs. In some cases you may need to replace your dimmer switch for one that is intended for lower-wattage utility, because LED uses less current.
Are There Benefits to LEDs?
There are so many benefits of LED lights that homeowners, businesses, and consumers are widely making the switch. Perhaps the most compelling reason to switch from conventional lighting options to LED is the energy savings, which often equates to money being put back in your pocket. According to industry insiders, LEDs use the least power of all your options, providing around 90% in savings from old-school incandescent. As for CFL bulbs that are touted as being an eco-friendly alternative, LED is at least a third more efficient and tends to last a lot longer. For the sake of comparison, a typical incandescent bulb has a life of around 1,500 hours while an LED lasts an average of 50,000 hours. LED operates at a lower wattage, so you can expect to see significant savings on your monthly utility bills.
Initially, many consumers resisted making the move to LED as the bulbs didn’t appear to provide the illumination that incandescent or CFL offered. However, times have changed and LED has improved so much, that it is now the favored lighting option among homeowners and businesses across the map. Many consumers appreciate not only the energy efficiency, but also the fact that LED doesn’t need to warm-up to illuminate, nor do they contain mercury as CFL bulbs do. Additionally, LED doesn’t give off heat and is cool to the touch.
Another perk of going with LED is the wide range of choices and overall accessibility offered. Buyers will find everything from task lamps, spotlights, candles, reflectors, tube lights, and even golf balls with internal LED bulbs. While choices were fairly restrictive in previous years, today the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding LED fixtures to fit your needs. If you do happen to drop and break your LED bulb while changing or handling it, these broken bulbs do not present the hazard that both incandescent and CFL bulbs contain, making LED a safer and more secure choice in households with children or pets.
If you are worried about your carbon footprint, then LED is the optimal choice. LED technology is considered green, with no emissions, better energy efficiency, and fewer toxic materials in the manufacture and composition of each bulb. LED is also lead and mercury-free, with a manufacturing process that is considered clean by industry standards. If you are a business that is attentive to the carbon footprint you leave behind, consider making the shift to LED in all your lighting applications and fixtures.
Are LED Lights Safe?
So, are LED lights safe or not? The short answer is ‘yes,’ LED lighting is a safe lighting option for both homes and commercial settings. A recent scientific survey conducted in Israel determined that there is no correlation or connection between exposure to LED light rays and any health risks or negative impacts. In fact, because they don’t get hot as other light fixtures do or contain a fragile filament, they may be considered a safer alternative to conventional light bulbs. LED bulbs last a lot longer than any other kind of light bulb, so the fact that they require less frequent replacement reduces the overall chance of an incident during maintenance, such as a fall.
Other concerns about LEDs often surround the cost. The prices for LED fixtures and bulbs seem to be coming down, perhaps due to increased demand and better manufacturing systems. While still slightly more than other bulbs, LED provides overall savings on utility bills through longevity, which means you are actually saving money over the course of time. Whether you are a homeowner or have a business, LED makes good sense and is a cost-effective approach to lighting.
Thinking about making the change to LED lighting in your home or business? There are a lot of benefits that come from switching over, consider talking to home or business lighting professionals to learn more about the full extent of features available with energy-efficient LED. You will enjoy lower utility costs and safer light fixtures, overall, with LED today.
