Despite LED technology becoming really popular over the past few years, fluorescent lighting is still quite popular. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding LED lighting and in case you are considering upgrading your home or workplace lighting, there are quite a few things to consider especially when it comes to the impact either technology has on health and energy savings.
How do Fluorescent and LED lights work?
Fluorescent lights light up using inert gas that is contained within the casing while LEDs do not require any gases. Due to the nature of fluorescent lamps, they produce UV radiation which gets converted to light using phosphor coating.
LED lights, on the other hand, make use of electromagnetic radiations and is highly energy efficient. The lighting is handled by an infrared emitting diode designed to produce infrared energy.
Health Concerns Surrounding Fluorescent Lights
Mercury Usage: One of the biggest concerns surrounding fluorescent lights is the use of mercury. Fluorescent lights contain phosphor and mercury, which are two dangerous materials that should never come to contact with the human body. When fluorescent bulbs break down, these materials get released in gaseous form and can adversely affect your health. While immediate side effects might not be visible, they can pose serious health risks in the long run.
UV Radiation: Since ultraviolet radiation is used to light up fluorescent lights, we are constantly exposed to it. While the amount of radiation might be marketed as safe, you have to consider that you are exposing yourself to the radiation continuously for long periods of time every day. Over a large period of time, the UV radiation can adversely affect your health. As fluorescent lights age, they require more power as they keep losing efficiency. This directly translates to more radiation the longer you use fluorescent lights, something that is not a concern with LED lighting.
Efficiency and Energy Savings
LEDs are far more energy efficient: As we mentioned above, the older a LED fixture gets the more power they consume. LEDs, on the other hand, can be used for anything between 50,000 to 100,000 hours of usage without seeing any fluctuations in energy consumption. They are also far more power efficient than fluorescent bulbs in general.
Multi-directional lighting: When we talk about lighting and energy savings, we do not always strictly consider energy consumption. You also have to consider the fact that the consistency of LED lighting and 360-degree coverage leads to fewer lights being used. You will need twice as many lights as traditional fluorescent lights when you use LED lighting, making them far more ideal for both home and commercial usage.
If you want to make the move from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting you should invest in great lighting products that revamp your home or workplace. Always invest in trustworthy brands like Hykolity to get the best technology that is available in the market. The brand has been in business for years and has built a name for them when it comes to offering LED lighting solutions.
