Whereas the marketplace for colored (Red, Green, Blue) RGB LEDs is well established, the market for white LEDs is still growing. Why? When you think about industries that still rely on white, non-LED lighting, such as televisions, automotive manufacturers, computer monitors, notebook computers, LCD backlights, etc., you can understand the push to end up being the leader in white LED manufacturing.

Many people are surprised that a business would pass up a revenue generating opportunity that converting a house or business to LED would create. However, just because replacement white LED bulbs and retrofits are finally available to buy, does not imply that they should be on your immediate grocery list. In very simple terms, the market for colored and color-changing LEDs is mature. While engineers remain finding ways to make them brighter and much more efficient, the holy grail of the LED industry is in developing volume production of high-efficiency, high-brightness white LEDs.

It may be better to think of colored LEDs (RGB) and white LEDs in terms of another industry: Automotive. RGB LEDs are like the internal combustion engine: Reliable, abundant, simple to operate and manufacture, and fairly well developed with regards to the prospect of new or breakthrough technologies. There are lots on manufacturers and each has their very own set of patents and “tricks of the trade” to help give themselves some marketing leverage over the competition. White LEDs are like the alternative energy industry for transportation: Quite varied, still relatively “new”, still needing to be market proven, more costly, more challenging to control.

There are various manufacturers, each using a different technology or mix of technologies to attain what they believe is the “the next big thing.” Following this analogy, RGB LEDs are mature enough to compete on cost alone and the drop in costs is what fuels new applications for colored LEDs that was not thought of previously. White LEDs, however are still developing technically and really should not be shopped predicated on cost alone. The need for quality and longevity is what fuels the further research and development into white LEDs.

11 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN DETERMINING LED UPGRADES

Because there are so many variables that need to be considered, making a quick and easy recommendation about transitioning to white LEDs isn’t possible. To have a jump start on the future, consider every lighting source in each room and establish what it’s primary purpose is. When you have done this, review the next items to help determine where on the priority purchase-list each replacement should be. Here are some general ideas to help you determine if an LED upgrade may be the right choice for you:

1.) May be the lighting located in a home where in fact the primary resident is older or has mobility issues?

If the LED replacement produces adequate light levels, LED alternatives are ideal for used in homes where safety is a top priority. Understanding that 250w led high bay lights or older person will not have to change a burned-out light bulb again can offer peace-of-mind.

2.) Is initial cost a primary factor in determining if you’re going to upgrade?

The existing nature of the white LED market means that prices are still relatively high, especially compared to traditional lighting. Being an early adopter means paying reduced; are you more comfortable with knowing you might have paid less for the same technology in the event that you had waited?

3.) Is the light located in bright daytime sunlight or an area of high heat?

High levels of heat will noticeably shorten the lifespan of any LED, especially white LEDs. When considering LEDs, try to ensure that both fixture and the location enable adequate passive cooling in order to avoid color-shift and longevity issues. This can be a much bigger concern when considering retrofit bulbs versus considering a “total package” LED fixture and lamp.

4.) Are you needing to decrease the heat output from the traditional light source?

In bathrooms, laundry rooms and small spaces, conventional lighting can produce uncomfortable heat. LED lighting is ideal for these areas since they produce no heat and because affordably illuminating smaller areas with LEDs presents significantly less of a challenge.

5.) May be the lighting located in a location of rough service or environmental extremes?

Garage door openers, unheated/cooled utility rooms and outdoor workshops place extreme demands of lighting equipment. Vibrations that can break a light bulb filament and cold temperatures that can result in a fluorescent tube to flicker are of no consequence to LED lighting, making these replacements a simple decision.

6.) Is the brightness critical to the application form?

LEDs are directional naturally, so trying to meet a specific brightness expectation over a broad area is not the best use of LED lamps. The current crop of standard fluorescent tubes or high-bay lighting will probably be more efficient for these applications.

7.) Are you trying to retrofit a preexisting lighting fixture to support an LED replacement?

Most current lighting fixtures are made to capture and reflect as much light as you possibly can from conventional light sources that produce light from all 360 degrees. Because LEDs emit very directional light, you can find often many compromises that must definitely be made by manufacturers to make LEDs “work” for the best amount of retrofits. When possible, instead of retrofit bulbs look at a “total package” LED lighting fixture that has been designed from the ground around efficiently use LEDs.

8.) Is the light output and quality of the LED version acceptable compared to your existing lighting?

With the variety of lighting technology available (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) the only way to get a precise idea of the way the lighting will perform is to compare the light output or lumen and color temperature specifications rather than the wattage as is typical of all of us raised with traditional lighting in the house. The US Department of Energy has devised a standardized “lighting facts” label similar in concept to the nutrition label entirely on foods, to help consumers compare lighting.

9.) Will be the bulbs you’re considering replacing difficult to access or reach?

If they’re, LED replacements are excellent candidates because after they are changed, you’ll likely never have to improve them again since LEDs usually do not “burn up” like a conventional bulb.

10.) Are you replacing all the light bulbs in a particular area or just a single bulb?

Unless you know the colour temperature of all the lighting in the room, try to be consistent in whatever lighting technology you choose. For example, if your room uses primarily halogen lighting, chances are a warm color temperature and changing a single reading lamp to LED with a cooler lighting temperature will not only be noticeable, but can also be distracting.

11.) Does the power savings and/or return on investment (ROI) ensure it is worthwhile at this stage?Prepare an energy audit using free web calculators to find out how much money you will save on energy and what the potential profits on return is. Just enter your time rates, the total wattage of your conventional lighting and the total wattage of the LED lighting that you are considering and the calculator will let you know exactly how much money each technology will cost you per year.

As you can plainly see, every lighting situation is highly recommended individually contrary to the above checklist. Doing this will assist you to determine LED upgrade plans that fit within both your allowance and your expectations. Generally, LED lighting will continue to improve in both output and efficiency each year like the way the personal computer market has evolved. What could possibly be considered a “middle of the street” LED lamp today, was very likely considered reduced product a year or two ago. Prioritizing your LED lighting purchases in order that the basics are covered first and delaying your more demanding lighting requirements as the technology improves will ensure a cushty transition to tomorrows lighting technology.