LED lighting and retrofit LED lighting have a wide range of benefits when compared to conventional lighting to include:
- Energy efficient
LED lights use nearly 90% less energy than fluorescent or incandescent lights, due to their emission of light in a single direction.
- Compact size
LED lights often come in a small size, perfect for attaching to printed circuit boards
- Fast switching
LED lights light up very quickly, often within a microsecond. There are no few seconds of dim light followed by bright light to content with.
- Durable
LED lights last longer than incandescent and fluorescent lights. They can last for up to 20 to 30 years although this depends upon use.
- Heat efficient
LED lights generate less heat compared to other lighting technologies. This is particularly beneficial for supermarkets that are looking to reduce food wastage costs each year.
- High luminance
LED lights emit more light (measured in lumens) per wattage than incandescent and fluorescent lights. The most powerful LED lights emit around 100 lumens per Wattage.
- Cool to touch
LED lights emit little heat and as a result are cool to the touch. The small amount of heat it procures is released backwards into its heat sink.
- Suitable for low temperatures
LED lights work effectively in low temperatures.
- Slow failure rate
LED lights fail slowly over a period of time whereas incandescent lights stop working immediately.
- Reduce food wastage costs
Fluorescent and incandescent lights in supermarkets emit heat, causing temperatures to rise and can result in food going off. LED lights emit little to no heat without any risk of food spoilage, which reduces food wastage costs. Plus their high colour-rendering index (CRI) gives a more natural colour to food products, increasing their attractiveness to customers.
All of this equally applies to LED lighting and retrofit LED lighting.
Isn’t LED lighting more expensive?
This type of lighting is seen as more expensive than conventional systems but the thing to remember is payback. There is the cost of the initial outlay to consider but after a short period of time you will recoup these costs and from this point you are, in effect, improving the bottom line.
How is this possible? We are talking about low power consumption, less heat generated and a long lasting light that means no need to change the bulbs on a regular basis.
The payback period in which cost savings outweigh the initial outlay can be as little as 12 months although 2 to 3 years is often the norm.
