Are you thinking about a lighting upgrade? Then you may want to consider LEDs. A suitable option for all kinds of applications, LEDs are now more popular than ever.
In this post we will debunk some common LED lighting myths, so that you can make an informed decision.
Myth #1 – “LEDs are way too expensive”
This single myth overshadows many LED benefits. But it is exactly that—a myth.
While it’s true that an LED bulb costs a bit more than traditional bulbs, the fact of the matter is that it turns out way cheaper in the long-run.
How? Glad you asked.
You see, LEDs last for much longer than traditional bulbs. So during the life of one LED bulb, you would actually end up using many conventional bulbs. Also, LEDs are far more energy efficient than normal bulbs—as in 80% to 90% more efficient.
So whatever you pay extra for LEDs upfront is more than compensated by their long life and energy efficiency. In the long run, you would save money by switching to LEDs.
Myth#2 – “LEDs don’t offer much choice”
Another misconception people have is that LED bulbs don’t offer much choice. This is not the case. You can buy LED bulbs in all kinds of shapes—tubular, candle, globe, etc. What’s more, you can also purchase smart LED bulbs if you want. These bulbs can be controlled remotely using a smartphone. Isn’t that great?
Myth#3 – “LEDs last forever”
Many people believe LED light bulbs last forever. This, however, is far from the truth.
Even though LEDs do not burn out as fluorescent bulbs do, they do degrade and dim with passage of time. They will start emitting less and less light as time passes. With that said, LEDs bulbs last up to 50,000 hours. That is almost 40-50 times longer than incandescent bulbs and roughly 10 times longer than your average compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).
You can prolong the life of your LED bulbs by using compatible dimmers. Remember, not all dimmers work with LEDs. While some old dimmers work seamlessly with LEDs, some do not. Make sure you use only LED compatible dimmers, since incompatible dimmers can cause damage to bulb parts and shorten the life of LEDs.
Myth 4 – “I don’t like CFLs, so I will not like LED bulbs”
It was only some time back that CFLS were being hailed as the next best thing for lighting. However, even though CFLs are more efficient than traditional bulbs, they are no match for LEDs.
For one, CFLs contain harmful elements like mercury, but not LEDs. This, in turn, makes LEDs easier to dispose. Two, CFLs don’t last as long as LEDs. As said before, on average LEDs last up to 10 times longer than CFLs. That’s a big plus, indeed. Three, LEDs are far more energy efficient than CFLs. So you can easily keep your electricity bill under check if you switch to LEDs. Four, CFLs are extremely sensitive to climate and usually take a long time to warm up in cold weather. This feature makes them far from ideal for changes in temperature. LEDs, on the other hand, light up almost immediately and their performance is not affected by change in the climate.
All in all, switching to LEDs is a smart decision. However, keep in mind that not all LED bulbs are of the same quality. If you want the best for your family, opt for LED bulbs with CRI 90+ rating. At LiquidLEDs we only sell CRI 90+ LED bulbs.