Whereas the market for colored (Red, Green, Blue) RGB LEDs is well established, the market for white LEDs continues to be growing. Why? Once you think of industries that still depend on white, non-LED lighting, such as for example televisions, automotive manufacturers, computer monitors, notebook computers, LCD backlights, etc., you can understand the push to end up being the leader in white LED manufacturing.

Lots of people are surprised that a business would pass up a revenue generating opportunity that converting a home or business to LED would create. However, because replacement white LED bulbs and retrofits are finally on the market, does not imply that they should be on your immediate shopping list. In very easy terms, the marketplace for colored and color-changing LEDs is mature. While engineers are still finding ways to make them brighter and more efficient, the ultimate goal of the LED industry is in developing volume production of high-efficiency, high-brightness white LEDs.

It may be easier to think about colored LEDs (RGB) and white LEDs with regard to another industry: Automotive. RGB LEDs are just like the internal combustion engine: Reliable, abundant, simple to use and manufacture, and fairly well developed in terms of the prospect of new or breakthrough technologies. There are lots on manufacturers and each has their own group of patents and “tricks of the trade” to help give themselves some marketing leverage over the competition. White LEDs are just like the alternative energy industry for transportation: Quite varied, still relatively “new”, still having to be market proven, more expensive, more challenging to control.

There are plenty of manufacturers, each using a different technology or mix of technologies to accomplish what they believe is the “another big thing.” Following this analogy, RGB LEDs are mature enough to compete on cost alone and the drop in costs is what fuels new applications for colored LEDs that had not been thought of previously. White LEDs, alternatively are still developing technically and should not be shopped predicated on cost alone. The need for quality and longevity is what fuels the further research and development into white LEDs.

11 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN DETERMINING LED UPGRADES

Because there are so many variables that require to be considered, making a fast and simple recommendation about transitioning to white LEDs is not possible. To have a jump start on the near future, consider every lighting source in each room and establish what it’s primary purpose is. When you have done this, review the following items to help determine where on the priority purchase-list each replacement ought to be. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine if an LED upgrade may be the right choice for you:

1.) May be the lighting located in a home where the primary resident is older or has mobility issues?

If the LED replacement produces adequate light levels, LED alternatives are ideal for use in homes where safety is really a top priority. Knowing that an ill or older person won’t need to change a burned-out light bulb again can offer peace-of-mind.

2.) Is initial cost a primary factor in determining if you are going to upgrade?

The current nature of the white LED market implies that prices remain relatively high, especially compared to traditional lighting. As an early adopter means paying a premium; are you more comfortable with knowing you could have paid less for the same technology if you had waited?

3.) May be the light located in bright daytime sunlight or an area of high heat?

High degrees of heat will noticeably shorten the lifespan of any LED, especially white LEDs. When considering LEDs, try to ensure that both fixture and the location allow for adequate passive cooling to avoid color-shift and longevity issues. This is usually a much bigger concern when contemplating retrofit bulbs versus considering a “total package” LED fixture and lamp.

4.) Are you needing to decrease the heat output from a traditional light source?

In bathrooms, laundry rooms and small spaces, conventional lighting can produce uncomfortable heat. LED lighting is ideal for these areas since they produce no heat and because affordably illuminating smaller areas with LEDs presents much less of a challenge.

5.) Is the lighting located in a location of rough service or environmental extremes?

Garage door openers, unheated/cooled utility rooms and outdoor workshops place extreme demands of lighting equipment. Vibrations that can break a light bulb filament and cold temperatures that can cause a fluorescent tube to flicker are of no consequence to LED lighting, making these replacements a simple decision.

6.) May be the brightness critical to the application form?

LEDs are directional by nature, so trying to meet a particular brightness expectation over a wide area is not the very best use of LED lamps. The existing crop of standard fluorescent tubes or high-bay lighting is going to be more efficient for these applications.

7.) Are you trying to retrofit an existing lighting fixture to support an LED replacement?

Most current lighting fixtures are made to capture and reflect just as much light as possible from conventional light sources that produce light from all 360 degrees. Because LEDs emit very directional light, you can find often many compromises that must be made by manufacturers in order to make LEDs “work” for the best number of retrofits. When possible, rather than retrofit bulbs look at a “total package” LED lighting fixture that is designed from the bottom around efficiently use LEDs.

8.) May be the light output and quality of the LED version acceptable compared to your existing lighting?

With all of the lighting technology available (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) the only method to get an accurate idea of the way the lighting will perform is to compare the light output or lumen and color temperature specifications rather than the wattage as is typical of all of us raised with traditional lighting in the house. The US Department of Energy has devised a standardized “lighting facts” label similar in concept to the nutrition label entirely on foods, to greatly help consumers compare lighting.

9.) Will be the bulbs you’re considering replacing difficult to access or reach?

If they’re, LED replacements are great candidates because once they are changed, you will likely never have to improve them again since LEDs do not “burn up” just like a conventional bulb.

10.) Are you currently replacing all the lights in a specific area or just a single bulb?

Unless you know the colour temperature of all the lighting in the room, try to be consistent in whatever lighting technology you choose. For example, if your room uses primarily halogen lighting, chances are a warm color temperature and changing a single reading lamp to LED with a cooler lighting temperature can not only be noticeable, but may also be distracting.

11.) Does the energy savings and/or return on investment (ROI) ensure it is worthwhile at this stage?Prepare a power audit using free web calculators to find out how much money you will save on energy and what the potential profits on return is. Just enter your energy rates, the total wattage of one’s conventional lighting and the full total wattage of the LED lighting you are considering and the calculator will let you know exactly how much money each technology can cost you per year.

As you can see, every lighting situation is highly recommended individually contrary to the above checklist. Doing so will help square led high bay lights to determine LED upgrade plans that fit within both your budget and your expectations. Generally, LED lighting will continue to improve in both output and efficiency each year like the way the personal computer market has evolved. What could possibly be considered a “middle of the road” LED lamp today, was more than likely considered a premium product per year or two ago. Prioritizing your LED lighting purchases so the basics are covered first and delaying your more demanding lighting requirements because the technology improves will ensure a comfortable transition to tomorrows lighting technology.