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How LED Lights Outshine the Rest: A Side-by-Side Comparison

13 December 2022 Administrator General (0)

 

LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs are quickly replacing HID, HPS incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs as a better long-term solution for lighting. LEDs offer many advantages over traditional lighting sources including longer lifespans, lower energy consumption, and improved safety due to their low-voltage requirement. 

 

LED (Light Emitting Diode) Lights

LED is a semiconductor technology that converts electrical energy into visible light. LED bulbs are much more efficient than traditional bulbs, as they use up to 90% less power and last 25 times longer. LED light bulbs can be used in a variety of settings and applications, from home lighting to industrial and commercial lighting, and public safety. LED lights can be dimmed easily with no flicker or loss of output which is not possible with other bulb types. These lights contain no mercury or other hazardous materials like CFLs do, making them safer for the occupants and the environment. All in all, LED lights are the best choice for any home or business looking for energy savings and a long-lasting solution.

Can you put LED bulbs in normal fittings?
Yes, some LED bulbs are designed to fit into standard light fittings. However, you should always check with the manufacturer or consult an electrician before replacing an existing bulb with an LED.

 

High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights

High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights are artificial lighting sources used in many outdoor lighting applications. They are usually used to illuminate streets, parking lots, and other large outdoor areas, as well as industrial and commercial buildings. High pressure sodium bulbs perform at significantly higher temperatures than traditional incandescent light bulbs, allowing them to produce a greater amount of light with less energy. The yellow-orange hue of this light is due to the sodium vapor present in the bulb. HPS lights are often found in public areas such as parks and walkways where extended illumination is needed. Additionally, they are popular for streetlights because they provide good visibility without producing too much glare.

 
Advantages HPS LED
Provides a bright, yellowish light that makes them the ideal choice for outdoor applications such as street lights, security lighting, parking lots, and as grow lights for grow rooms or greenhouses YES YES
Use less electricity than other types of bulbs, making them somewhat cost-effective over the long term YES YES
Durable and can last up to 24,000 hours with proper maintenance YES Can last up to 50,000 Hours
Offer a great combination of performance and cost savings that make them the popular choice for most outdoor lighting needs YES YES
 
Disadvantages
HPS
LED
While it can provide strong, bright light, it requires high energy usage YES NO
Generate a large amount of heat which can be uncomfortable in certain environments YES NO
 
Suggested LED Replacements for HPS Bulbs
LED Area / Parking Lights  Shop Now at Duralec
LED Wall Packs Shop Now at Duralec
LED Flood Light Shop Now at Duralec
LED Canopy Lights Shop Now at Duralec
 
LED Equivalents
What is the LED equivalent to 250W HPS?  90-100W LED
What is the LED equivalent to a 600W HPS? 300-350W LED
What is the LED equivalent to a 1000W HPS? 500 - 550W LED

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights 

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights are a type of lighting that uses xenon gas and metal halide salts to produce a strong, bright light. Metal halide lamps are commonly used in stadiums and arenas, warehouses, and other industrial applications. They are often used for their improving visibility in dark or low-light areas due to the fact that they produce a much brighter light than other types of lighting solutions. 

 
Advantages HID LED
Require less maintenance and replacement YES YES
Durable and can last up to 24,000 hours with proper maintenance YES Can last up to 50,000 Hours
Produce a higher amount of light per watt of energy used compared to other types of lighting, making them more cost-effective in the long run YES YES
 
Disadvantages
HID
LED
More expensive than traditional bulbs and require a large initial investment, particularly if you are replacing an entire lighting system YES NO
Takes longer to reach full brightness compared to other types of lighting, usually taking several minutes before reaching full brightness YES Lights at full brightness instantly
Generates more heat than other types of lighting YES NO
Needs to be replaced more often than other types of lighting because the ballast inside them tends to burn out after a certain number of hours YES NO
 
Suggested LED Replacements for HID Bulbs
LED Retrofit HID Replacement Corn Cob Light Shop Now at Duralec
LED High Bay UFO Lights Shop Now at Duralec
 
LED Equivalents
What is the LED equivalent to 250W metal halide? 70-100W LED
What is the LED equivalent to a 400W metal halide? 120-200W LED
What is the LED equivalent to a 1000W metal halide?  240-400W LED
 

Do you have to buy a separate light fixture for HID replacement LEDs?  No, LED retrofit corn bulb replacements fit readily into standard light bulb sockets. They come with the same mogul base as most HID bulbs have. 

 

Incandescent Lights 

Incandescent lights generate light by passing electricity through a thin wire filament. This wire is heated to such an extent that it glows, producing visible light. These lights have been around since the 19th century and are still widely used today in many applications - in household lighting, outdoor lighting, automotive headlights, and even streetlights. They are also commonly used in businesses and factories for task lighting, overhead lighting, and emergency lighting. They have been the preferred option for those looking for an economical and efficient way to light their home or business space.

 
Advantages INCANDESCENT LED
Inexpensive to purchase and easy to install in most fixtures YES YES
Do not contain any toxic chemicals or require extra energy-saving technology YES YES
Produce a warm light that is often preferred for indoor use YES YES
The ease of dimming makes them ideal for creating different moods in rooms depending on the occasion YES YES
Their simple design makes them easy to replace when needed without causing too much disruption YES YES
 
Disadvantages
INCANDESCENT
LED
Much of the energy used to power them is wasted as heat rather than being converted into usable light YES NO
Have a short lifespan and need to be replaced quite regularly YES Can last up to 50,000 hours
Due to their fragile construction and short lifespan, these bulbs are more prone to breaking than other forms of lighting YES NO
Due to inefficiency and short lifespans, incandescent bulbs tend to be more expensive than other forms of lighting over time YES NO
 
Suggested LED Replacements for INCANDESCENT Bulbs
LED Retrofit HID Replacement Corn Cob Light Shop Now at Duralec
LED High Bay UFO Lights Shop Now at Duralec
 
LED Equivalents
What is the LED equivalent to 40W incandescent?  4-5W LED
What is the LED equivalent to 80W incandescent? 9-13W LED
What is the LED equivalent to 150W incandescent?  25-28W LED

Do you have to replace bulb mounts for LEDs? No, LED retrofit corn bulb replacements fit readily into standard light bulb sockets. Other options like the UFO Bay lights do not need to be mounted. 

 

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights create an electric arc between two electrodes inside a long, glass tube filled with either mercury vapor or a phosphor-based gas. This arc produces UV light which in turn causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to glow, thus creating visible light. Fluorescent lights are found everywhere from residential homes, to offices, schools, and commercial buildings. Newer types of fluorescent lamps have been developed such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)  which are even more energy efficient than traditional models.

Advantages FLUORESCENT LED
Produce light that is energy-efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional incandescent bulbs YES YES
Lasts longer than incandescent bulbs and doesn’t produce as much heat YES YES
 
Disadvantages
FLUORESCENT
LED
They flicker and buzz, which can be distracting or even cause headaches YES NO
Produces a harsh light that can be uncomfortable to look at and can cause glare YES NO
Contain mercury and other toxic chemicals, making them dangerous to handle without proper safety precautions YES NO
Bulbs burn out quickly and need to be replaced often YES NO
 
Suggested LED Replacements for FLUORESCENT Bulbs
LED Strip Lights Shop Now at Duralec
LED Linear High Bay Lights  Shop Now at Duralec
LED Panel Lights Shop Now at Duralec
LED Troffer Lights Shop Now at Duralec
LED Canopy Lights Shop Now at Duralec
 
LED Equivalents
What is the LED equivalent of a 40-watt fluorescent bulb?  15-18W LED
What is the LED equivalent of a 72-watt fluorescent bulb? 32-35W LED

 

Do LED lights need ballasts? 
No, LED lights do not need ballasts. Ballasts are used to regulate the current in fluorescent and other types of lighting, but LEDs use direct current (DC) and require a driver instead.

 

Contact Duralec Today

LED lighting is evidently the better choice for many homeowners and businesses when it comes to replacing their traditional lighting fixtures. Contact Duralec today to learn more about their selection of energy-efficient LED lighting products. 

 

 

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