LED MYTHS

True or False? Debunking common LED lighting myths.

As far as myths go, it’s not quite up there with the Loch Ness Monster, but there are a lot of misconceptions around LED lighting. To save you from launching a Nessie hunter-style quest for answers, we thought it would be helpful to dispel some common LED myths.

Myth #1: Fixture design doesn’t matter

Fact: Fixture design is essential when purchasing LED lighting fixtures. There are two crucial elements of LED fixture design to consider:

• Thermal management: To ensure that LED fixtures dissipate heat away from the light source —ensuring years of maintenance-free illumination LED fixtures undergo extensive testing.
• Fixture optics: Delivered lumens (the measure of light output from the fixture into the desired application) rather than initial lumens (the measure of light emitted from the LED) are vital. If the fixture is not designed to accurately direct light where it needs to be, much of the light can be lost to the fixture or ceiling / sky.

Myth #2: More lumens = a brighter space

Fact: Increasing the number of lumens does not always make a brighter space. While more lumens means more light output, that doesn’t mean it’s lighter where you need it to be. With the right optical control, LEDs can improve the overall site-wide illumination with fewer total lumens—increasing efficiency and performance.

Myth #3: All LEDs are created equal

Fact: Paying attention to the quality of the LEDs in a fixture is vital, as higher quality LEDs produces a more consistent light colour.

Myth #4: LED lamps cost too much

Fact: Over the lifetime of a bulb, LEDs are more cost-effective than inefficient incandescent technology, taking into account energy cost and maintenance savings. The return on investment of an LED bulb starts the moment it’s inserted into the light socket, and economic payback can be seen in as little as three years. Although higher initial cost to purchase, in the long run they generate energy cost savings of up to 80%, plus use less electricity and last longer (up to 25,000 hours or 22.8 years).

Myth #5: LED wattages are too low to produce bright enough light output

Fact: Wattage refers to the amount of energy required to light the bulb, which doesn’t affect brightness. Brightness is measured in lumens—the higher the lumens, the brighter the light. For the most efficient bulb, choose one that produces the greatest number of lumens per watt of energy. It’s similar to how cars that can travel the farthest on a single litre of gas are the most fuel-efficient.

Myth #6: More LEDs in a bulb = a brighter light

Fact: The number of diodes (LEDs) does not impact the bulb’s brightness. The most accurate measurement of brightness is lumens. There are many different types of LEDs and they can vary greatly in the quality of light output and size.

Myth #7: LEDs last forever

Fact: While they do not ‘burn out’ like traditional incandescent bulbs, light produced LEDs slowly fades over time and need to be replaced once the light output dips below 70% of the original output. Factors that can cause lumen depreciation include drive current and heat generated within the device itself.

Myth #8: LEDs don’t emit heat

Fact: Since touching an LED bulb won’t burn your hand like other light sources, it is often assumed the LEDs produce no heat. Waste heat is produced within the LED itself during the conversion of electricity into light. In well-designed LED lighting fixtures, heat removal is accomplished through carefully designed and engineered heat sinks that draw heat away from the LEDs and dissipate it into the air surrounding the fixture housing. Heat is one of the major factors affecting life and performance of LED lamps.

(PS. Nessie is out there until someone proves otherwise. Feel free to keep that dream alive.)