How to Save Money When Buying waterproof flourescent light
Convert Fluorescent to LED: 5 Cost Effective Ways
The Issues with Fluorescent Fixtures
1. Fluorescent Tubes Contain Mercury
The worst thing about fluorescent lights is that they contain mercury. Although there is no danger when mercury is contained within the sealed tube, it becomes a hazard if the tube drops and breaks.
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When a tube gets broken, some amount of mercury gets released into the area. Thus, it is recommended to air out that area immediately and clean up shattered glass quickly.
However, a vacuum cannot be used for cleaning up as it makes the mercury airborne. Thus, workers must take some extra precautions to ensure that they are not injured even when cleaning up the mess.
When it comes to appearance, LED tubes look exactly like fluorescents. However, they are very different. LEDs do not emit as much heat as other lighting options.
This means that their housing is made of sturdy plastic rather than glass. As a result, they are less likely to shatter and break. Plus, even when these lights do break, LEDs do not have mercury and you will not have glass remains everywhere.
2. Fluorescents Lumens Drop Quicker in Cold or Hot Environments
Fluorescents are delicate when it comes to their functionality and composition. These lights only perform well in a room-temperature setting. In fact, in temperatures under 50 degrees, you can expect the light to perform at max, at 80% capacity.
Plus, this is only when you put up a brand-new light. We are going to discuss this later in more detail. However, fluorescent lights are infamous due to their rapid light quality and quantity depletion.
On the other hand, LEDs do not get affected by factors like temperature. These lights keep functioning at their peak regardless of your rooms ambient conditions.
Plus, it is important to note that even when at an appropriate temperature and indoors, LEDs can still outpace fluorescents quickly.
3. Fluorescent Technology Does Not Work Well with Dimmers
Most fluorescents are not dimmable. However, some can be. Dimmers interfere with the interior functioning of fluorescent fixtures.
Thus, they reduce their life significantly. This is a huge drawback as dimmer switches are an awesome way of cutting energy costs a bit further.
So, if you like to install dimming options and like to get it done efficiently, LEDs are the more hassle-free and easier option. Now, get your fluorescent tubes replaced with LEDs and access the advantages of dimming the lights whenever you need or want to.
4. Fluorescent Lights are Not Directional
In case you have been looking into the lighting options for your unit, then you may probably have heard of terms like omnidirectional and directional.
So, what do these words mean in the lighting world? Here, omnidirectional means the lighting fixture emits light at 360 degrees. LEDs feature directional fixtures, whereas fluorescents are omnidirectional.
So, does this matter? Around 30-40% of the non-directional light emitted through a fluorescent bulb is wasted. This much light gets lost to various refractions or diverted to an area where it is not required.
Most LED lighting options are directional. Thus, you can direct the light in any direction that you need it to be. You also have options related to light beam spread. This beam spread can be tailored to your particular lighting application. Plus, it ensures that there is no wasted light.
5. Fluorescents Utilize More Energy than LEDs
When you switch to LED technology, there are lots of benefits. As a result, you save more money. However, the most drastic one is that LEDs result in lower electrical costs.
Based on the fluorescent lights installed before and what LED lights you replace them with, you can save up to 80% on your energy bills.
On average, it is found that there is about a 30% reduction in electricity consumption. Even when you do not replace your fluorescent lighting fixtures with the best LED lighting options, there is a drastic reduction in energy usage.
So, consider how much LED lights cost as compared to fluorescents in the long run. LEDs provide a return on investment, which is not possible with fluorescents.
6. Fluorescent Tubes Produce More Heat
Facility managers and property owners know that appliances that emit more heat are something that you should avoid. Thats because they increase cooling costs and pose a hazard to employees.
While it is unavoidable to use such equipment in particular situations like factory settings, it is always possible not to use heat-producing lighting fixtures.
Sometimes, fluorescent lights are a big contributor to this. When you own a large facility, covering its ceiling with fluorescents will make the situation even worse.
This becomes worse when it already costs a great deal of money to keep the facility cool. Changing to LEDs will make a noticeable difference and a great impact. This is because LEDs emit little to no heat.
7. Regular Usage of Fluorescents Causes Failure
In your industrial or commercial facility, you are probably using lights every day for the majority of the day. One of the best ways to mitigate the cost of lights each day is to install motion sensors for dimmers.
However, this could be a detriment to the fluorescent fixtures life. Fluorescent lights do work well with motion sensors and dimmers. Plus, when you switch off/on these sensors, it actually decreases the lights lifespan.
So, you might want technology that enables frequent off/on switching during the day. LED lighting solutions are the perfect option.
These lights do well with lighting controls and sensors. One can switch them off and on multiple times without affecting their feasibility.
8. Fluorescent Lights Require More Replacement and Maintenance
You can extend the lifespan of a fluorescent tube by following certain steps, such as cutting down on the number of times you switch it on and off. Nevertheless, they will deteriorate rapidly. An average lifetime of 15,000 hours is what youre looking at. This is three to four times quicker than your average LED light.
On average, LEDs last for about 50,000 hours. Meaning that you must replace fluorescent lights at least three times more frequently than an LED. In large buildings that have lots of lighting solutions, the cost of replacing fluorescent lights usually adds up quickly.
So, you need to spend more money on replacement bulbs and on the manpower that it takes to switch out the old lights for the new ones. Now you can lower the maintenance costs effectively by opting for LEDs. These lights have a remarkably long lifespan and emit brighter light for a long period.
9. Flickering and Buzzing
Lastly, the most infamous aspect of fluorescents is their flicker and buzz. This loathsome flickering and buzzing put a strain both mentally and physically on employees. This, in turn, affects productivity and morale severely.
Most health problems have been attributed to working under buzzing fluorescent lights, such as:
- irritation and eye strain
- migraine headaches
- sleep disorders
- enhanced stress levels
So, this is unfortunately an unavoidable thing about fluorescent lighting. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue by opting for LED lighting.
These lights run off a consistent current. As a result, these lights never flicker or buzz, even when they approach the end of their useful life.
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Retrofitting Fluorescent Fixtures with LED Lights
As you can see, conversion to LEDs comes with various benefits. It is possible to switch to LED lighting through various methods.
However, the best method for you and your facility will depend on various factors, such as budget, the state of current lighting fixtures, and how you plan to use the lights. When replacing your current fluorescent tubes, it is best to use retrofit LED tubes.
So, this process is less expensive as you do not have to replace the complete fixture here. For this method, you need to do rewiring work to bypass the ballast in a lighting fixture. However, this is not nearly like replacing the complete lighting option. If you want to learn how to replace a fluorescent tube with an LED batten, you can review this article by LED First Choice.
Benefits of Retrofitting Using LED Tubes
When you decide to retrofit, the best way to carry out this task is to use LED tubes. This procedure saves energy, where you just bypass the ballast.
Also, this helps to prevent ballast failures and flickering or dimness in the future. You can look for retrofit tubes in high-efficient models and standard models too.
The brightness increases depending on the LED tubes lumen ratings. Changing your lights to LEDs will reduce the expenses of running them and give back twice the brightness.
Plus, the conversion method ensures that you enjoy very efficient usage. Usually, standard LED Tubes use about 18 watts compared to the 36 watts fluorescents consume.
Thus, one LED tube can replace two fluorescent lights. So, this makes an 18 watts versus 72 watts energy consumption.
Another benefit of using LEDs is getting rebates from a utility provider. These rebates are for energy-saving upgrades that you make to your lighting system.
To qualify for these rebates, always purchase LED lighting options that have a DLC listing. Make sure to look for this listing before purchasing new LED lights.
Also, the lifespan of an LED tube is significantly longer than fluorescent tubes. When it comes to an LED, you can enjoy about 50,000 hours on the low end.
Cost to Convert Fluorescents to LED
The up-front cost of converting can be high, totaling between $ and $20,000.* This includes $50-$100 per hour for an electrician and the cost of LED bulbs and conversion kits. The efficiency of LED lighting will save you money in the long run.
* This depends entirely on the number of fixtures being converted.
Swap Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures with LEDs
This method is a bit expensive. However, it will offer a transformative experience. One can swap the complete fluorescent lighting fixture with both strip lighting fixtures and LED Wrap-around lighting fixtures.
Benefits of Employing LED Wrap-around Fixtures
These are unique fixtures that require no rewiring other than what is needed for replacing the fixture. The primary advantage of this method is that you can enjoy all the benefits of new LED features, such as light distribution, impressive light levels, and color temperatures.
Plus, this upgrade fixes other issues immediately, such as when lighting fixtures are old, or the lenses are faded or yellowed.
How You Save Money by Switching to LED Lights - Blog
What's the difference between traditional lighting and LED lighting?
There are several factors to consider when we want to save money on lighting. The most important ones include the light source, the amount of used bulbs, the power of the single bulb, average usage of the chosen lighting per day, the cost of lighting, and the amount of bulbs that you burn out per year.
Switching to LED lighting is a good move
We would like to show you reasons why switching to LED lights is a good move. Traditional bulbs emit light in all directions, but the light is diffused and scattered. You will need a high power bulb to illuminate the chosen areas well. When it comes to LED lights, the light beam angle depends on the used diode.
It becomes easier to fill the room with light
For example, surface mounted SMD LEDs have a wide viewing angle. Let's compare classic halogen lamps with LEDs. One halogen will illuminate a greater area than one LED light. However, with the use of more LEDs, it is much easier for us to fill the room with light, taking into consideration that halogen's viewing angle is limited.
You change bulbs less often
At first glance, you may think that LEDs are more expensive than traditional lights. Try to think about it differently. In the long term you will notice that buying LED lights is much more profitable. It's because LEDs are long-lasting and durable which means that once you buy them, you can enjoy them for the next few years. When it comes to traditional lights, they require replacing more frequently, which in practice means additional costs.
You easily reduce energy costs
Using less energy seems to be an obvious way to save money. Illuminating your house and garden with LED lights will result in lower expenses. LED lighting uses 15 % of the energy that is used for standard LED bulbs. To be more precise, a traditional bulb uses Watts per day. An energy saving bulb (fluorescent lamp) uses 440 Watts per day. And, finally, a LED bulb uses 320 Watts per day. It is needless to add that LED bulbs are incomparably cheaper. They have so many benefits! Thanks to switching to LEDs, your lighting-related energy costs will decrease significantly!
Our ideas on how to save money thanks to LED lights
There are many guides on how to save some money in the area of lighting. We have prepared a few tips for you and we hope you will be more willing to plan the arrangement of your lamps, split the apartment into zones and do a few more things that will help you keep the money in your wallet.
Carefully plan the arrangement of lamps
Placing the lamps in the room is crucial to have a functional and well-illuminated space. A ceiling lamp or a chandelier located in the middle of the room is uneconomical. That's because the ceiling lamp with a few high power sources and traditional bulbs use a lot of electricity.
Split the apartment into zones
Splitting the apartment into zones is a much better idea. Separate your relax zone, kitchen zone and bedroom zone. The thing is that you should get rid of the ceiling lamp which is placed in the central point of your room. Instead, you should focus on illuminating smaller areas and zones. In this case, more LEDs equals more saved money.
Employ tactical task lighting
Illuminating a painting, staircase, bedside and different objects separately is not worse than main overhead ambient lighting. Thanks to that, you save energy and reduce your bills. You can use LEDs to illuminate small elements such as photo frames. An additional advantage of this solution is a pleasant atmosphere.
Choose the right light fittings
Another idea on how to save money by switching to LEDs is to use pendant lights. Resign from installing many halogen downlights because you would have to install many of them to obtain a satisfactory result. Installing many halogens will result in higher energy use and, consequently, higher running costs.
Don't forget to turn off the light when you don't use it!
There are moments when you don't need to use lighting at all. Make the most of the sunlight that you get. After getting rid of traditional, energy-absorbing lighting, you will probably buy LEDs, which is good. However, remember that you don't have to use them when it's not necessary. Sunlight costs you nothing and is the best money saver!
Take advantage of LED strip lights
LED strip lighting is a topic for a separate article. There are many advantages of LED strip lights! You can choose a LED strip light perfectly tailored to your needs and expectations. They have different IP ratings, numbers of LEDs per metre, types of LED chips, colour types, colour temperatures (warm white, neutral white, cool white), voltages and power supplies. Do they save your money? Absolutely yes!
LED light strips are really flexible, which makes them perfect lighting to illuminate shelves and cupboards. It's a beneficial solution, considering that you don't have to use the main lighting of the room to light up the things you want to see in the dark.
LED strips can be used both indoor (in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms) and outdoor (in swimming pool areas, patios, gardens and driveways). What's more, you can easily control LED strips. In the case of a single colour LED strip, a controller is not necessary. Connecting it directly to a power supply would be enough. You would need a remote control or a smartphone app if you decide on colour changing LED strip lighting. How to save money? Do not use a dimmable power supply, which is more expensive than a regular power supply.
Summary
After reading this article you should be sure that using long-lasting, energy saving and durable LED lights is the investment that will definitely pay off. You are free to use them in a hallway, kitchen and bathroom. Don't forget about the areas outside your house. You won't have to change bulbs frequently. It's a matter of good planning, splitting the apartment into a few zones, employing tactical task lighting, choosing the right light fittings and simply not using any lights in daylight!
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