For a long time, facility managers had the only choice when it came to lighting. Today though the situation is very different and the traditional light has been phased out of most applications and the rise of energy-efficient alternatives has provided better options to facilities managers, maintenance managers, and project managers alike.
For a long time, facility managers had the only choice when it came to lighting. Today though the situation is very different and the traditional light has been phased out of most applications and the rise of energy-efficient alternatives has provided better options to facilities managers, maintenance managers, and project managers alike.
The two most prominent are compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diodes (LED) and they both assure to offer substantial savings on your utility bill. LED is the long light bulb whereas CFL is the curly light bulb. Before energy efficient LED lighting installation, you should know about the difference between these two.
LED Lighting VS. CFL Lighting
Though they are both a step in the right direction in terms of efficiency, they are not equal and both have their own unique advantages. And to understand the benefits of LED lights, it is important to know the differences between the two bulbs. LED Light bulbs produce light when an electrical current passes through them whereas, in CFL bulbs, an electric current flows between electrodes at each end of a gas-filled tube. And the reaction creates ultraviolet light and heat that is then changed into light when it heats the bulb’s interior. This process can take some time to complete.
Here are some differences between CFL and LED lighting:
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LED lighting emits very little heat, whereas CFLs release 80% of their energy as heat.
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Another benefit of LED light is that, because it emits light in a specific direction, it doesn’t need a diffuser or reflector that traps light. It helps to increase LED efficiency for users such as task lighting or down lighting.
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The life of an LED bulb is usually more than CFL light and also more durable than CFL.
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The size of an LED bulb is smaller than a CFL bulb.
How Do They Work?
Before making a decision between CFL vs. LED light, it is a better idea to understand how they work. CFL light works similarly to fluorescent tubes and a glass tube is filled with gas, with electrodes on each end. When the current passes through the gas then it responds to create the light that is passed through an unusual coating on the inside of the glass. And the main difference with CFL is that the tube is coiled to estimate the shape of a standard light. However, LED gives off light when an electric current passes through its diode and the various combination of these can be used to create a certain color. Although, typically LED is known for giving off a cool, white light.
Considering it from a practical angle, LED light is more cost-effective than any other choices on the market today. So, you can go with energy efficient lighting installation to upgrade your building with an affordable, long-lasting fixture that can be installed quickly and easily.
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