LED Lifespan
The lifespan of an LED outlasts all other traditional lighting sources. An LED is measured to last 50,000 hours or more than 5-1/2 years if ran all day everyday. In comparison, a halogen bulb has a lifespan of 2,500 hours or just over 3-1/2 months if ran nonstop. It is also important to note that the lifespan of an LED is measured as the time between first use and the time at which light output is 50-70% of the original light output. While the LED may still emit light after 50,000 hours, it is most likely emitting less light than it originally did and is considered to be failed. Combining high quality LEDs and components allows ITC to offer a three-year warranty on its LED fixtures and guarantee its LEDs to the more stringent 70% standard.
When speaking of LED lifespan, it is important not to forget about the lifespan of the fixture. It is important to measure lifespan on the fixture operating cohesively because the electronics have as much impact on life as the LED chips themselves. This is achieved and tested through the operating environment, power supply, choice of LED, and the overall engineering of the fixture. While the chips themselves are rated for 50,000 hours, the electronics have a shorter lifespan. This is especially the case if the fixture is not well designed to dissipate heat. Even with a well designed fixture, the electronics may fail sooner than the chips. For instance, the lifespan of the fixture is often dictated more by the electronics than the chips. Thus, the important message to convey is the fixture as a whole is warranted for 3 years which in actuality is 26,280 hours. This warranty is supported by solid testing and is in line with Energy Star specifications.
Wattage & Energy Comparison
When analyzing the power consumption of a lighting system, it is important to take into consideration more than wattage on a bulb. While wattage with a traditional fluorescent bulb may give a good idea of how much energy it takes to run that bulb, for a more accurate reading wattage must be measured at the outlet. Taking a measurement at this location will include the bulb wattage and energy used at the ballast for fluorescent lighting. Measuring energy in this manner is particularly important when comparing fluorescents to LED lighting because LEDs do not use ballasts and so a straight bulb to bulb comparison is inaccurate. While both produce a similar amount of lumens, or light, the amount of energy used between the two greatly differs.
For example, the MR 11 LED uses 3 watts of energy to light the LED while a comparable halogen would use around 20 watts. Both have similar light output, however the halogen takes 7 times more energy to power the bulb. Assuming both are turned on for one hour per day for 30 days, the energy used in kWh (kilowatt-hour), or the amount of power consumed, would average around 3 times more with the halogen at the wallplug than the LED.
In addition to wattage comparisons, energy is wasted in the form of excess heat emitted from the bulb. Fluorescents, halogens, and incandescent bulbs require more energy to produce light thus creating heat in the process. Power is not regulated as efficiently in these fixtures and energy is wasted. This wasted energy can then lead to higher cooling and utility costs.
ROI Calculator
The initial investment on an LED is higher than that of an incandescent, fluorescent or halogen. However, the longevity and energy efficiency of the LED greatly surpasses its competition. LED’s last roughly twenty-five times longer than halogens, five times longer than fluorescents, and use significantly less energy. If ran non-stop 24 hours a day, a halogen bulb will last roughly 2-1/2 months before a new bulb is needed. In contrast, an LED will last 5 years and 8 months before a new replacement is needed. If the initial cost of a halogen bulb was $4, it would need to be replaced 25 times totaling $100 to the total life of a $20 LED. A $400 investment to furnish 100 retail lighting fixtures with halogens, now turns into a $10,000 investment in comparison to a $2,000 LED lighting expenditure at $20 per LED, because halogens do not carry the same longevity. The operational benefit of LED doesn’t come with upfront cost but with longevity of the product and the amount of energy used.
To calculate your current lighting expenses against switching to LED, use the elio™ savings calculator to input your information and realize your potential savings. This calculator also includes energy costs factored in that were not calculated in the simple example above to provide a more accurate representation of the cost saving differences.
In addition to purchasing and operational cost benefits, LED lighting also provides other paybacks. Because LEDs last longer than halogens or fluorescents, maintenance costs decrease significantly. It also contributes to less unlit merchandise. That means products are being displayed with the proper illumination longer than products lit by other lighting. Less time is needed to maintain proper lighting and the worry of unlit merchandise diminishes. LEDs also bring aesthetics and visual appearance that is unattainable with other lighting. They create clarity that captures the color and texture of the merchandise. (See Color Temperature and CRI) Elio™ customers have repeatedly provided feedback that our lighting has defined their merchandise and created higher sales by the appearance of their product in LED lighting. Additionally studies have shown that LED task lights are easier for employees to use because they do not flicker like fluorescents or have the associated noise factor. While the flicker with fluorescents is not noticeable to the human eye by everyone, studies have shown that the rapid on/off cycle tires workers even when they cannot see the cycle. This can lead to less productivity from the flicker in addition to a decrease in productivity associated to the distracting noise factor of fluorescents.
Unlike merchandise in fluorescent lighting, merchandise under LEDs do not warp or discolor from large amounts of excess heat. Instead, products maintain a longer shelf life at a higher visual & quality value with LEDs. Merchandise looks like it did from the moment it was placed of the shelves. The lower temperature also creates a safer environment for customers and employees. The risk of injury from a halogen or fluorescent is eliminated. Not to mention cooling costs will be reduced without the excess heat being emitted from the lighting.
Electronic Driver
The electronic driver is often hidden and so it is difficult to ascertain the quality of it and compare it to drivers in comparable LED products. Despite its small size and hidden location, the driver largely impacts the LED life, light output quality, and intensity of an LED fixture by regulating the amount of energy sent to the LED. The two main regulation types for the driver are current or voltage. Both come with advantages and disadvantages. Current allows for a long life and light output due to a constant stream of energy. This constant energy stream will lead to a longer and more consistent life. The drawback to current regulation is that it can be more expensive. Voltage is cheaper, but crops the amount of energy an LED receives, which can reduce life span as well as quality and color.
Color Temperature and CRI
Color temperature and CRI are often associated with how the light appears in contrast to a setting or object. How cool or warm a light looks is referred to as its color temperature. Depending on the amount of whiteness cast, the color temperature is described as how the light source renders colors. CRI, short for color rendering index, is used to describe how accurately a color appears under a certain light in crispness and clarity. CRI is used to compare two light sources that have the same color temperature against a reference source. These two terms are often used in conjunction with one another in describing how light is perceived.
Color temperate is described in numeric value by using the Kelvin color scale. The higher the Kelvin temperature, the more blue or cool the color. ITC specifies each of its products to be within a specific range of Kelvin temperatures. For a quick comparison, halogens typically are measured around 3000° Kelvin while the natural blue sky is measured at 30,000°K. ITC selects the LED’s for its fixtures with Kelvin and CRI ratings appropriate for the application. For example, higher Kelvin LED’s are used in exterior applications while lower ones are used for interior purposes. Also the type of merchandise you want to highlight is important to consider when selecting a rating on the Kelvin scale; 4100°K for diamonds, silvers and golds, 3500°K for general merchandise and 2900°K for leathers and some dark colored items.
The color rendering index, or CRI, is measured on a scale from 0-100. Pure natural sunlight is measured at 100 CRI while a white LED can range in measurement from 65-90 on the CRI scale. A CRI measurement is obtained by analyzing color shift under an initial illumination by a single source in comparison to a reference source. This was first achieved using a specified 8 color palette system when it was developed in 1965. Recently, the CRI measurement has further defined itself with the addition of 7 colors to the scale. After the color shift is analyzed, an average is obtained and assigned to the light thus providing its CRI. ITC offers high lumen regular CRI fixtures and specialized high CRI fixtures for select retail applications
Cone of Light
A cone is the area in which light encompasses after it is emitted from a given source. Beginning in a small more concentrated shape, the cone expands progressively over a specific area. The cone of an LED directs light to a targeted area. Traditional lighting fixtures emit a large amount of heat and light in a ‘globe’ approach wasting energy by directing light with no means or purpose. Light is cast out of all angles of the bulb including the back where it is attached to the fixture. LED lights are designed to direct light in a purposeful manner developed for each particular bulb. For example, in contrast to fluorescents that send light to the back of the fixture where it is wasted, elio™ liner lights send light out toward its intended lighting zone at a 120° angle.
Example of how light is emitted from a fluorescent in comparison to an LED.
Brightness and Lumens
The amount of light produced by a fixture can be measured in lumens. Lumens are measured based on the amount of light produced per square meter. To put this measurement in an everyday comparison, the sun can be measured on average at 70,000 lux (lumens per square metre), a typical family room at 50 lux, and starlight at 0.00005 lux. Understanding this measurement is important when speaking of the light output from LEDs because the wattage used to create similar lumen ratios between an LED and other lighting is far lower. Most people have an idea of what a 50-watt incandescent bulb will produce in terms of the amount of light. However, applying that same thinking to an LED is incorrect because it can produce the same amount of light on far less wattage. For example, the MR 11 LED is a fixture that is powered by only 3 watts. This LED has a lumen density of 65 and serves as a direct replacement for an MR11 Halogen that is powered by 10 watts.
In addition to lumen measurements, the way light is emitted from an LED greatly contributes to its brightness and how it is measured and perceived. Traditional fluorescents emit light without intended direction. In fact, only 1/3 of light emitted by a fluorescent reaches its intended target which in turn creates lost lumens. Comparatively, LEDs emit light in a directed beam casting light where it is needed. The lumens are concentrated with LEDs with purpose on the desired target.
Example of light cone directed by a 5 Watt MR16 LED:
Environmental Information
LED lighting eliminates the need for hazardous waste disposal. Since LEDs do not contain mercury or lead, there are no extra disposal requirements. LED lights can be disposed of through most waste management systems. Also, they do not emit ultraviolet rays which can deteriorate product color and fabric. In addition, cooling costs are reduced because LEDs do not produce excess heat. Unlike halogens which can increase heat by 7° in a display case or more and Fluorescents by 4°, elio™ LEDs do not increase unnecessary energy costs due to wasteful heat.
Dimming
Dimming is a vital part of efficient lighting. It provides ambiance, balances against natural light, and can be a great energy reducer when light at maximum output is not needed. LED lighting is dimmable when applications are installed to support it. Unlike incandescents, not all LED fixtures are dimmable. In order for an LED fixture to be dimmable, the driver needs to be LED compatible and the dimmer must be compatible with the low amp draw of an LED fixture. Some existing dimmers require a higher amp draw than an LED fixture draws to function properly. Please contact elio™ to identify if a particular product and dimmer will function together.
Third-Party Certification
Identifying a quality LED fixture is difficult because many key features are hidden or are not readily apparent upon initial review of the fixture. As a result, third party certification of the fixture can provide guidance on the quality of the fixture. Elio™ LED lights comply and many are certified to the following requirements and specifications: ETL, FCC, ROHS, CE, CSA, and is some products UL 1500.
Heat
Contrary to the current talk about LEDs that they do not get warm, the fixtures do in fact emit a small amount of warmth. When you touch an elio™ MR16, MR11, or Par 30 after it has been operating for some time, the bulb will be warm to the touch. This warmth is often surprising to many that expect LEDs to be cool. However, one must realize the heat felt is planned and necessary to allow the LED to function properly. This warmth is caused because the heat sinks are pulling the heat away from the junction point where the LED attaches to the circuit board and the electronic on the circuit board, circulating the heat into the atmosphere. The heat sinks on the MR11, MR16, and the Par 30, are exposed to the open air more compared to other fixtures maximizing the ventilation and effectiveness. Please note however, that the heat of the LED heat sink is much less that the heat existing on a traditional incandescent or halogen bulb. This is one of the reasons why elio™ LED lighting reduces cooling costs because the heat emitted is significantly less. Also, since the amount of heat emitted is less, elio™ products are an ideal choice when selecting lighting for environments sensitive to heat.
Binning
Binning is the sorting of LEDs into a color range. For example, cool light or warm light, and provides uniformity of color. Because LEDs are produced with a plus or minus range in their color rating, the Kelvin temperature can vary in a given range due to how the LED is binned. Binning becomes a significant factor when selecting LEDs because the tightness at which an LED is binned, contributes greatly to its appearance when multiple LEDs are used in a single application. For example, an LED with tighter binning remains consistent in appearance throughout multiple LEDs. In contrast, LEDs can appear different in color and brightness if tight binning is not a standard in production. Elio™ LED products are binned to tight tolerance standards to eliminate any inconsistency of color as you may find with other LED manufactures that may not bin to as tight of standards. One important thing to keep in mind with binning, is that warmer Kelvin temperatures should be binned tighter because color differences are more noticeable with the human eye in the warmer Kelvin range (ie: 3000K).