Just as Andy Warhol once famously predicted that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” eventually one day, every device will have a day named after it. If you don’t believe us, just re-read our 2020 blog post on National Ceiling Fan Day. And in true Warhol fashion, the registrar at National Day Calendar has designated every October 7 as National LED Light Day. And why not? When it comes to flexible, economical, and environmentally friendly advances in everyday technology, few can touch LED technology.
But how well are you acquainted with LED lighting? If you’re going to celebrate National LED Light Day next month, you may want to get up to speed.
1 – THEY’RE HERE TO STAY (FOR NOW)
In 2007, President George W. Bush signed The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) into law. While this law didn’t ban traditional incandescent bulbs altogether, it ushered in the age of the LED bulb. As part of the EISA, incandescent bulbs had to be about 25 percent more efficient. That’s impossible to achieve without decreasing their brightness, so, instead, manufacturers have shifted to more energy-efficient technologies, like compact fluorescents (CFLs), halogens, and LEDs – which offer the most sustainable – and exciting alternative.
2 – THEY’RE MORE EXPENSIVE (BUT NOT REALLY)
Bulb for bulb, the incandescent option will cost you less at the cash register. But when you factor in that LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer, you’re saving money – a lot of money. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with an LED bulb will save you about $130 over the bulb’s lifetime. In fact, the average American household could save $150 a year by switching to LED bulbs.
3 – THEY CAN DANCE (TO SPOTIFY)
This month, Phillips Hue introduced a partnership with music streaming service Spotify to sync their Hue lights with the beat, as well as the “mood, genre, tempo, and more.” The app-driven magic “extracts the metadata from each song played through Spotify no matter the device.” It then uses that information to design “an advanced light script that enables your lights to react not only to the beat of the song but to the genre and mood, too.”
4 – THEY’RE DIRECTIONAL (OR NOT)
Having light thrown in all directions in a way that mimics sunlight is a good choice for schools, prisons, hospitals, and corner delicatessens. But for homes that want to project warmth and retail outlets that want to spotlight merchandise, it’s best to have the ability to choose where and what they want to accent. Incandescent bulbs throw light at all angles, making directing light difficult. With LED lighting you have the option of buying directional bulbs, so you can better focus the light where it’s needed.
5 – THEY’RE DIMMABLE (WITH THE RIGHT DIMMER)
If you experience flickering with your LED lightbulbs, chances are you have a compatibility issue with the dimmer that’s controlling it. Conventional dimmers that control incandescent lighting, work by rapidly interrupting the current flowing to the light. This happens dozens of times per second which causes the lights to flicker so rapidly that to the human eye, it appears as though there is less light. LED bulbs require much less current to run, but not enough current for the TRIAC semiconductor in most older dimmers to do its job. This ends up in a choppy, strobing, or flickering effect instead of an even dim. When you upgrade to LED bulbs, you’re probably going to have to upgrade your dimmers as well.
LED lightbulbs have revolutionized the world of lighting with their energy efficiency and longevity. As trusted electrical contractors, PK Electric NYC is well-versed in the benefits of LED technology. Our team of commercial electricians and residential electrical contractors are experienced in providing electrical wiring services and lighting installation with a focus on LED solutions. LED lightbulbs not only consume less energy but also have a longer lifespan compared to traditional bulbs. This makes them a cost-effective choice for both residential and commercial properties. With our expertise in LED lighting, PK Electric NYC can help you make the switch to energy-efficient lighting and enjoy the many advantages it offers.
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