LED Lights, or Light-Emitting-Diodes, are a relatively new technology.The United States Department of Energy lists LEDs as “one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.” LEDs have become a favorite new illuminator for homes, holidays, businesses, and more.

LED Lights have many advantages and few disadvantages. Research shows that LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and great quality. On a consumer and corporate level, switching to LED’s saves money and energy.

We rounded up the top advantages and disadvantages of LED lights. Keep reading to learn why it’s a bright idea to switch to LED lights.

Advantages of LED Lights

LED Lights Are Energy Efficient

LED lighting is famous for being more energy-efficient than it’s predecessors. To determine the energy efficiency of light bulbs, experts measure how much of the electricity converts to heat and how much converts to light.

Have you ever wondered how much heat your lights are putting out? The students at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania did the math. They found that as much as 80% of the electricity in incandescent bulbs is converted to heat, not light. LED lights, on the other hand, convert 80-90% of their electricity into light, ensuring that your energy isn’t going to waste.

Long-lasting

LED Lights also last longer. LED lights use different materials than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs typically use a thin tungsten filament. These tungsten filaments after repeated use, are prone to melting, cracking and burning out. In contrast, LED Lights use a semiconductor and a diode, which doesn’t have that issue.

The sturdy components in LED light bulbs are incredibly durable, even rough conditions. They’re resistant to shock, impacts, weather, and more.

The US. Department of Energy compared the average bulb life of incandescent bulbs, CFLs, and LEDs. Traditional incandescent bulbs lasted 1,000 hours while CFL’s lasted as long as 10,000 hours. However, LED light bulbs lasted 25,000 hours — that’s 2 ½ times longer than CFLs!

LED’s Offer Better Quality Light

LEDs focus light in a particular direction without using reflectors or diffusers. As a result, the light is more evenly distributed and efficient.

LED lighting also produces little to no UV emissions or infrared light. UV sensitive materials such as old papers in museums and art galleries fare better under LED lighting.

As the bulbs near the end of their lifecycle, LED’s don’t just burn out like incandescents. Instead of immediately leaving you in the dark, LED’s get dimmer and dimmer until they go out.

Environmentally Friendly

Besides being energy efficient and drawing less resources, LED lights are also eco-friendly to dispose of.

Fluorescent strip lights in most offices contain mercury in addition to other harmful chemicals. These same chemicals can’t be disposed of in a landfill like other trash. Instead, businesses have to use registered waste carriers to ensure the fluorescent light strips are taken care of.

LED lights have no such harmful chemicals and are safer – and easier! – to dispose of. In fact, LED lights are usually fully recyclable.

Disadvantages of LED Lights

Higher Price

LED Lights are still a new technology with high-quality materials. They cost a little more than double the price of their incandescent counterparts, making them an expensive investment. However, many people find that the cost recoups itself in energy savings over a longer lifetime.

Temperature Sensitivity

The quality of diodes’ lighting can depend on the ambient temperature of their location. If the building the lights are used tends to have quick temperature increases or has abnormally high temperatures, the LED bulb may burn out faster.