The ABCs of LEDs

In the dark about which bulbs to buy? You're not alone. Read on for the pros and cons of LEDs

We all want to make energy efficient lighting choices, but with the variety of lighting options available, changing a light bulb can be a lot more difficult than the age-old joke would have you believe.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the latest in lighting technology. These long-lasting and versatile lights are more efficient and durable than incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. Their low energy requirements diminish electricity consumption and C0₂ emissions and their long life span (up to 100,000 hours) reduces maintenance costs.

It was the latter feature that attracted Wayne Leong, owner of Calgary’s Melrose Cafe and Bar, to consider LEDs.

In the past, changing the bulbs on the outside of his business required maintenance staff to hang off a ladder. “It was hazardous,” he says. “Five or ten years ago we would have done it anyways because it was the only option, but if there’s a safer method of doing things we’re going to adopt it.”

Leong started by adding one strand of LEDs. Impressed with their appearance and the noticeable difference on his energy bills he soon added accent lighting and has since converted almost the entire bar to high efficiency bulbs.

“It makes economic sense,” he says, “and it’s starting to prove itself now.”

Like many people, Leong was skeptical at first. As was the case with early compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), the first LEDS had some drawbacks. “But they’ve come a long way,” says Jode Himann, owner of Nemalux LED Lighting. “Historically, they weren’t very bright but in the past two years they have doubled in brightness and come down in price."

LEDs aren't just for accent lighting anymore.

For many though, affordability is still a factor. Cost varies depending on application, but LEDs can be more than ten times the price of compact fluorescents. Himann notes that it’s important to consider long term energy savings and reduced maintenance costs.

“For strategic installations, where there’s scaffolding involved, such as on the exterior of your house or above a pool, then LEDs are great because of the longevity,” says Himann. “They’ll last for 22 years at 12 hours a night, so you can postpone some of those electrician visits.”

Energy savings aren’t the only benefits. LEDs are mercury free and emit no UV light, "so they don’t affect the taste of wine or damage art," says Himann. These robust lights are also vibration resistant and have no fragile filaments that can be damaged.

But the big question is: can they replace all of your indoor lighting? “Not yet,” says Rob Falconer, Director of Distributed Generation for Enmax. “LEDs give a focused beam of light that is good for task lighting but they haven’t made the progress that CFLs have to general lighting.”

Himann disagrees, saying that although LEDs are most commonly used for accent lighting and under cabinet lighting, he’s also starting to see the transition to recessed lighting and general ceiling lighting.

Albertans have been hesitant to adopt new lighting solutions. Falconer estimates that, on average, only one bulb in every household is non-incandescent. But with 80 per cent of an incandescent bulb’s power going toward generating heat instead of light it’s now recognized as a bit of a dinosaur in terms of energy efficiency (and will be banned in Canada by 2012).

“CFLs have gained in popularity,” says Falconer, “and it’s only a matter of time before LEDs become more affordable and attractive as well.”

Whether you switch to LEDs or CFLs, or a combination of both, you can reduce your home lighting consumption by more than 75 per cent.