By: Micahel M, Blogger, Yellowlite, Inc.
It’s about the law
Now that a law passed during the Bush administration calling for the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs is in full effect, you’ll need to begin considering your options for replacing or upgrading your home or your commercial building’s incandescent lighting bulbs and fixtures.
It’s about Sustainability and Savings
Incandescent light bulbs have been lighting our way since their invention in the late 1800s, but wasting more than 90 percent of its energy, as the incandescent bulbs do, is just not sustainable in today’s new energy conscious paradigm. Additionally, with a lifespan of only about 1,000 hours, the US DOE has determined that it is actually more expensive to operate incandescent light bulbs than it is to use Light-emitting diodes, (LEDs). In fact, according to the DOE, switching entirely to LED lights over the next two decades could save the U.S. $250 billion in energy costs, reduce overall electricity consumption by nearly 50 percent and avoid 1,800 million metric tons of carbon emissions from being dumped into our atmosphere.
It’s about compromising…
It wasn’t that long ago that switching to LEDs was too much of a compromise; no matter how much more efficient they were proclaimed to be. The early versions were too expensive; provided a more direct lighting than the diffusion of light that we’d become accustomed to; there were too many quality control issues relating to out of-the-box operation problems or actual time-of-service performance complaints, and then there was a lack of personality to the colors being offered.
…or not.
Yes, today’s LEDs are still more expensive initially, but with a life expectancy of 25 years and energy efficiencies that are 5 times greater than incandescents it is very likely that the LED light you install today will be shining long after you have raised your children through college, traded in several cars, and bought and sold a few homes. All the while that LED light will have been consuming 80 percent less energy, creating 80 percent less junk to be dumped into our air and saving you a lot more on energy bills than your initial LED investment.
Today, thanks to federal and state regulated testing, minimum performance and reporting requirements, it is much more difficult for poor-performing LED products to remain on the market, resulting in dramatically improved reliability, product quality and performance for the LED investor.
LEDs are now available with light diffusers to spread the light anywhere you like and a wide variety of colors from warm hues comparable to traditional incandescent bulbs to colors that mimic natural daylight or any of an innumerable assortment of cool shades and warm colors. LED lighting is also easily adaptable to a growing assortment of smart energy operating systems. Most of these smart systems provide the added benefit of increasing your control over energy savings and some can even be used to enhance your home’s comfort levels by providing adjustable, vibrant colors that you can create to match your moods, and all at your control.
The Solar Connection
If you’ve already had your solar system installed by Yellowlite; by converting to LEDs you will reduce your electricity requirements enabling your system to supply a larger percentage of your electrical needs.
If you’re considering having a Yellowlite system installed; by converting to LEDs you’ll be able to have a smaller, less expensive solar system installed. On a national level; by converting to LEDs we’ll need a lot less electricity and that will make the transition to renewables easier, faster and a lot cheaper.
