Over the last few years, we have noticed a huge influx of LED lights. It might seem like a relatively new technology but actually, it has been around since the 1990s. Since then, it has been innovated many times to fit our lifestyle. If you are curious to know more interesting facts about LED light, then this article is just for you!
Interesting facts about LEDs
1. LED stands for light-emitting diodes.
2. LEDs don’t attract any bugs. Some of the LED lights don’t emit UV (Ultra Violate) light which attracts many bugs!
3. LEDs use almost 100 percent of the of its consumed energy to generate light!
4. LEDs are used for food preservation as LEDs reduce the breed of bacteria during the process!
5. More than 32,000 individual LED lights are used to make the Time Square Ball to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
6. LED lights can help reduce eye strain which increases the productivity among workers and students.
7. LEDs are recyclable which is why they are eco-friendly!
8. LEDs contain no mercury and are safe for landfills.
LED lights are the most energy-efficient lighting option ever
LED lights are known for their brightness, longer life expectancy, and a substantial power source. But did you know that LEDs are the most energy-saving lighting option available till now and why they are the most energy-saving and efficient?
You might be curious to know how LED lights are different from incandescent lights when they both look almost the same. Incandescent lights are the old fashioned, common type of lights that we grew up with while LEDs were making their entrance into our homes. Incandescent lights are not very energy-saving nor efficient.
The main cause that makes the difference between LEDs and incandescent is that they both produce light in a very different mechanism. Incandescent lights get extremely hot as the electricity passes through a filament and make the electrons of atoms excited to produce the energy, light. Most of the incandescent lights use up to 90 percent of the electricity to heat up and produce enough light for regular uses. The procedure is extremely insufficient.
On the other hand, in LEDs, incandescent fixtures are replaced with semiconductors. Filaments aren’t used to make LEDs so instead of filaments LEDs use semiconductors to generate light and very little heat.
To produce the same amount of light, incandescent bulbs use 8 times more electricity. You may have more lighting options available, but LEDs are the most efficient and energy-saving lighting option. That is because LEDs use most of their consumed energy to generate light instead of producing extreme heat.
LED lights have a longer life span than incandescent lights
LED lights aren’t only known for their high energy saving ability and efficiency but again for having a longer life span. Did you know that LED lights have longer than 100,000 hours of lifespan? Depending on the uses of the lights, LED lights may last from 8 years to 20 years! But how is this possible?
As mentioned before, LEDs are more effective than other lights and have no filaments. Therefore, they have no material to burn. Besides, materials that don’t easily break or wear out are used to make LEDs which then increases longevity and durability.
From the technical side, LEDs generate light using Electroluminescence. According to the phenomenon, LEDs are made of substrate semiconductor material which has two doped regions named P (Positive) and N (Negative). Electrons jump to higher atomic states when they pass through the PN junction. Photons emit as light when the electrons return to the ground state. Thus, LEDs generate light using most of the energy they consume, which produces only a little heat. And this is how they achieve longevity!
The various uses of LEDs
Since the ‘60s, the continuous advancement of LEDs has been improved rapidly so they can compete with other lights. The uses of LEDs are beyond your imagination!
From home to commercial, LEDs are being used almost everywhere as they are more efficient, long-lasting, and available in many different colors. Its history indicates that early LEDs were only able to produce red lights. But as time passed by and LEDs got renovated, the technology has made it possible for them to produce several colors like green, blue, yellow and white light as well!
LEDs are mostly used as indicator lights for electronic devices, electronic signs, clock displays, and many more. Having different options of colors, they are also used for street signal lights and brake lights on cars.
Small LED lights can be used as a series to make TV screens as large as desired. The small LEDs give the flexibility and freedom to use them in a huge range of sizes!
LED lights are ideal for lighting cold spaces like refrigerators and storage spaces. LED lights don’t emit UVs, which helps to protect the colors of artwork, carpet, or any specially painted surfaces. Because of the uses of the semiconductors, LEDs are easy to control faster than any other lights. While the other lights take a few moments to light up, LEDs light up almost immediately; they also can be dimmed in no time.
The uses of LEDs are infinite. From regular lighting in our house to decorative effects for any occasion, LEDs are flexible enough to be used in any situation.
Endnote
In conclusion, we can say that LEDs have more positive sides to them than any other lights in the market. LEDs are affordable, eco-friendly, durable, and can be used for a lifetime! LED lights began replacing incandescent lights in 1987 in vehicles, signal lights, and traffic lights. Since then, LEDs have changed and advanced many times and are still being developed by researchers, scientists, and engineers. Look for more surprises to come as technology advances!