LED lights are semiconductor devices that provide efficient, durable, and long-lasting illumination. They outperform incandescent and CFL lights in energy consumption, lifespan, and environmental impact, as they contain no toxic mercury and emit less carbon dioxide. LED lighting offers versatile design opportunities and operates effectively in varied conditions, making them a superior choice for general lighting applications.

1. LED Lights vs.
Incandescent
Lights vs. CFLs

2. What are LEDS?
LEDs, or light–emitting diodes, are
semiconductor devices that produce visible light
when an electrical current is passed through
them.
LEDs are a type of Solid State Lighting (SSL), as
are organic light–emitting diodes (OLEDs) and
light–emitting polymers (LEPs).

3. How is LED lighting different than other
light sources, such as incandescent and CFL?
LED lighting differs from incandescent and compact
fluorescent lighting in several ways. When designed
well, LED lighting can be more efficient, durable,
versatile and longer lasting.
LED lighting products use light emitting diodes to
produce light very efficiently. An electrical current
passed through semiconductor material illuminates
the tiny light sources we call LEDs. The heat produced
is absorbed into a heat sink.

4. Common LED colors include amber, red, green, and
blue. There is actually no such thing as a “white”
LED.
To get white light the kind we use for lighting our
homes and offices, different color LEDs are mixed
or covered with a phosphor material that converts
the color of the light.
The phosphor is the yellow material you can see on
some LED products. Colored LEDs are widely used
as signal lights and indicator lights, like the power
button on a computer.

5. LEDs are now being incorporated into bulbs and
fixtures for general lighting applications. LEDs are
small and provide unique design opportunities.
Some LED bulb solutions may look like familiar light
bulbs and some may not but can better match the
performance of traditional light bulbs.
Some LED light fixtures may have LEDs built–in as a
permanent light source.

6. Energy
Efficiency and
Costs

7. Life Span
(Average)
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
50,000 hours 1,200 hours 8,000 hours

8. Watts of electricity used
(equivalent to 60 watt
bulb).
LEDs use less power (watts)
per unit of light generated
(lumens). LEDs help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
from power plants and
lower electric bills
LEDs
Incandescen
t Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
6 - 8
watts
60 watts 13-15 watts

9. Kilo-watts of
Electricity used
(30 Incandescent
Bulbs per year
equivalent)
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
329 KWh/yr. 3285 KWh/yr. 767 KWh/yr.

10. Annual Operating
Cost
(30 Incandescent
Bulbs per year
equivalent)
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
$32.85/year $328.59/year $76.65/year

11. Environmental
Impact

12. Contains the
TOXIC Mercury
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
No No
Yes - Mercury is
very toxic to
your health and
the environment

13. RoHS
Compliant
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
Yes Yes
No - contains
1mg-5mg of
Mercury and is a
major risk to the
environment

14. Carbon Dioxide
Emissions
(30 bulbs per year)
Lower energy
consumption
decreases: CO2
emissions, sulfur
oxide, and high-level
nuclear waste.
LEDs
Incandescen
t Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
451
pounds/year
4500
pounds/year
1051
pounds/year

15. Important Facts

16. Sensitivity to
low
temperatures
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents (CFLs)
None Some
Yes - may not work
under negative 10
degrees Fahrenheit
or over 120
degrees Fahrenheit

17. Sensitive to
humidity
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents (CFLs)
No Some Yes

18. On/off Cycling
Switching a CFL
on/off quickly, in
a closet for
instance, may
decrease the
lifespan of the
bulb.
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
No Effect Some
Yes - can reduce
lifespan drastically

19. Turns on
instantly
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
Yes Yes
No - takes time to
warm up

20. Durability
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
Very Durable -
LEDs can handle
jarring and
bumping
Not Very
Durable - glass
or filament can
break easily
Not Very Durable
- glass can break
easily

21. Heat
Emitted
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
3.4 btu's/hour 85 btu's/hour 30 btu's/hour

22. Failure
Modes
LEDs
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents
(CFLs)
Not typical Some
Yes - may catch
on fire, smoke, or
omit an odor

23. Light Output

24. Output LEDs
Incandescent Light
Bulbs
Compact
Fluorescents (CFLs)
Lumens Watts Watts Watts
450 4-5 40 9-13
800 6-8 60 13-15
1,100 9-13 75 18-25
1,600 16-20 100 23-30
2,600 25-28 150 30-55

25. For more about LED lighting and our
LED energy savings programs for
businesses in the Caribbean, visit
http://www.reelcaribbeanenergy.co
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