Myths about LED Lighting & LED Light Bulbs

LED bulbs have been around for many years now. Nevertheless, many myths surround them, which might prevent some people from enjoying the many benefits switching to LEDs entail.

In this post, we will debunk 10 popular myths about LED lighting, so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether LED light bulbs are right for your home or not.

Common Myths About LED Lights

Myth#1 – LED is Too Expensive

Even though an LED bulb has a higher upfront cost than a halogen or CFL bulb, it will save you money in the long run.

Research shows you are likely to use 5 to 10 halogen light bulbs for one LED. In other words, you will save money over the lifetime of an LED bulb because LEDs last longer than all other types of bulbs.

Having said that, there is much more to lighting a space than just the cost of the light bulbs. If you want to calculate the total cost of lighting your home, you must also factor in the amount of electricity bulbs use — and this is where LEDs shine (pun intended).  

Compared to traditional light bulbs, LED light bulbs are far more energy efficient — consuming up to 85% less energy.

For example, a conventional 75 Watt bulb consumes 75W to produce 1100 lumens and the annual cost of running it is around $23. By contrast, an LED light bulb only consumes 10W to produce 1100 lumens, and its annual cost of running is only $5 a year!

The second round clearly belongs to the energy saving LED light bulbs — and with that, it’s game, set, and match to LEDs.

Given that an average Australian home uses approximately 37 light bulbs, switching over to LEDs can result in substantial savings.

To sum it up, LED light bulbs are cheaper than other bulbs in the long run. To put things into perspective, you can save up to $140 a year by replacing all the bulbs used in your household with LEDs.

Myth #2 – LED Lights Last Forever

Another popular myth is that LEDs last forever. That is not the case, technically-speaking.

Even though LEDs do not burn out like conventional bulbs, they do dim and degrade over time. As the years pass, the diode is going to emit less and less light. Nevertheless, LED light bulbs can last more than 250,000 hours, which is more than 20 times the average lifespan of incandescent bulbs and more than 5 times the average lifespan of CFL.

Myth #3 – LED Lights are Harmful

Are LED lights bad for you? Many people who are thinking about switching to LEDs ask us this question. The answer is No. LEDs are as safe for your eyes as any other artificial light source. You can use them without any worry.

Other questions similar to the above one that we get asked often include: Are LED lights dangerous? Are LED lights harmful to your skin? Are LED lights bad for health?

LED lights, we repeat, are just as safe as any other artificial lighting. Since LED lights do not contain ultraviolet rays, they are perfectly safe for your skin. As a matter of fact, today LEDs are frequently used in skin and health therapies.

Myth #4 – LED Takes Time to Light-up

Nothing could be farther from the truth. LED light bulbs light up instantly compared to CFLs, which sometimes can take a couple of minutes to achieve full brightness.

Myth #5 – LEDs Don’t Work in Cold

Unlike traditional light bulbs, LEDs are just as efficient in cold weather as in other environmental conditions.

Myth #6 – LED Lights are not Bright

LED bulbs are just as bright as traditional light bulbs. The big difference is that LEDs use much less energy. For instance, a 8W LED bulb emits the same amount of light as a 60W traditional bulb. There are different types of LED light bulbs available, ranging from those that give a warm glow as traditional bulbs to those that very closely mimic natural light. In short, there is an LED for every need.

Myth #7 – LED Lights Get Hot

Another common question we get asked often is, “Do LED lights get hot?” Like anything that produces energy, LED light bulbs do produce a little amount of heat. But they do not get as hot as conventional bulbs, which heat up in the form of infrared radiation that makes the bulb surface very hot to touch. As long as the internal components of an LED are properly functioning and the bulb is not installed in an enclosed space, it is not likely to heat up.

Myth #8 – LED Light Quality is Poor

Not at all. The quality of artificial light is measured Colour Rendering Index (CRI). The CRI scale ranges from 0 to 100, and a value of 90 or above is considered very good. So, if you want quality lighting, always opt for LED light bulbs which have a CRI 90 rating.

Many online retailers sell low-quality LED bulbs (CRI rating of 80). You should stay away from these bulbs as much as possible.

Myth #9 – LEDs are not Dimmable

That is certainly not the case. LEDs are available in both categories — dimmable and non-dimmable. Whether an LED light bulb is dimmable or not will be clearly mentioned on the packaging. If you want a dimmable LED bulb, check for the ‘dimmable’ symbol on its packaging.

Myth #10 – LEDs Have a Limited Colour Range

Of course not. LED light bulbs are available in different colour ranges — 2700k, 2800k, 3000k, 4000k, and 5000k.

Conclusion

It is vital to not believe in fallacies and find out the truth about LEDs. And hard facts point toward only one thing: LED bulbs are superior to conventional bulbs. Switch to LED light bulbs to enjoy better lighting, save energy, and reduce your monthly electricity bill.