Enthusiasm and excitement are not always the initial reaction to something new. There's also doubt and scepticism. Although it has existed for many years, LED lighting still has many misconceptions. Some still find its benefits too good to be true and may just be a manipulation to boost sales.
Technically, at some point, there's truth in those statements if you purchase from an untrustworthy seller. However, if you buy an authentic LED product, you'll realise that those misconceptions you once believed are untrue!
Myths can mislead people from the facts. That's why, in this blog, we will address them! What common myths are floating around about LED lighting? Is it true or not?
LED Lighting Revolution
Unlike traditional lighting solutions, LEDs consume significantly less energy while producing similar or more illumination. Because of its energy efficiency, there's a reduction in electrical usage, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation of environmental impacts.
Today, LED technology has become the benchmark for energy-efficient lighting. Without this lighting solution, how much fossil fuel do you think will be burnt? How much damage will the environment incur?
Myth #1: LED Lights Are Expensive
When LED lights first arrived at the market, they were more expensive than halogens, incandescent and fluorescents. However, that's not the case right now! LED lighting is more affordable than ever, and you can purchase them nearly anywhere.
In addition, when you consider the long-term cost of LED lighting, you'll see that you're actually saving more compared to traditional fixtures. Incandescent and fluorescents may be cheap upfront, but when it comes to maintenance and energy consumption, they're more expensive to run.
Because LED lighting consumes less energy and can last longer, you can reduce your electrical and maintenance expenses! So, do you still think that LED lights are expensive?
Myth #2: LED Lights Produce Poor Quality Light
This myth may stem from the early days of LED lighting technology and from people who experienced low-quality LED products. As the technology evolved, advancements in the design, material and manufacturing have been done, producing high-quality light that's better than traditional fittings.
Besides that, LED lighting is now available in different colour temperatures, including cool white, natural white, and warm white light. You can also get LED fittings with a CRI rating of 80 or above!
Myth #3: LED Lights Don’t Last Long
Typically, LED lighting can last for 30,000 - 50,000 hours. Do you think it's too short? Well, if you compare it to an incandescent bulb that can last for 1,200 hours or fluorescent light with a 20,000-hour lifespan, who do you think can last longer? While LED lighting cannot last forever (which is impossible for any lighting solution), there's a significant gap between its longevity and traditional fittings.
Myth 4: LEDs Are Not Environmentally Friendly
Some people think that LED lights are harmful to the environment because of the specific materials used for their production. However, in reality, LED fittings are more eco-friendly than traditional lighting solutions!
LED fittings require less electricity, reducing overall carbon footprint and lessening greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, since they last for years, LEDs produce less waste due to replacements. On top of that, LED fixtures do not contain mercury, unlike some traditional fittings like fluorescents and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).
Myth #5: LEDs Aren’t Suitable for All Applications
If you’re talking about compatibility with non-LED accessories, yes, some LED fixtures are not compatible with non-LED dimmers. However, it’s not true that LED lights have limited applications.
There are many types of LED lighting fixtures, including downlights, strip lights, panel lights, batten lights, floodlights, plinth lights and more. Because of the variety, you'll find an LED fitting for almost any application, whether commercial, industrial or residential.
Myth #6: LED Lights Consume a Lot of Energy During Start-Up
Unlike some fluorescent tubes, LED lights instantly light up. It does not require a certain period of time to warm up before fully turning on. Because of this, there's a myth that doing so consumes a lot of energy. Well, that's not true! LED lighting has a consistently low energy requirement from the moment you switch it to when you turn it off.
Myth #7: It’s Not Worth Switching to LED if You Have Incandescent
Why will you stick with incandescent bulbs when there's a better option? LED lighting lasts ten times longer and consumes way less power than an incandescent bulb. Plus, it's much more eco-friendlier and more cost-effective! Compared to incandescent, LED lights do not heat up, reducing any risks and health issues.
Switching to LEDs may be a hassle if you're changing a lot. However, you don't need to rush into it and finish in one go! Start with the rooms you use daily, then slowly work your way to the rest.
Myth #8: LEDs Are Not Dimmable
LED lighting is dimmable as long as you use the right components. As mentioned earlier, LED fixtures are sometimes incompatible with traditional wall dimmers. Therefore, you'll have to look for an LED-compatible wall dimmer. Nevertheless, there are dimmable LED fixtures, so it's untrue that LEDs cannot be dimmed.
Conclusions
The truth can always get lost in the sea of misconceptions. You only need to be smart about sifting the facts from the lies. LED lighting is by far the best lighting solution today, and it cannot be matched by traditional fittings. If you're wondering if it's a worthwhile investment, yes! So, if you're looking for a place to get your fixtures, visit our website, LED Supplier. We have an extensive collection of indoor, outdoor, and commercial LED lighting products!
