• Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
Are LEDs Good For the Environment?
January 23, 2018

LED bulb

If you are considering switching to LED lighting and are wondering if they are a good option from an environmental point of view, you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to answer exactly that question.

LEDs last longer

When you switch to LED lighting you really have to buy from a reputable supplier, somewhere like the LED Hut. This is because one of the main benefits of this technology, from an environmental point of view, is that the bulbs last far longer than other formats do. That means less glass and other components having to be manufactured. In turn, that translates into fewer resources having to be taken from the earth, processed and transported.

If you were to light a room for 25,000 hours you would only need one good-quality LED bulb to be able to do so. Whereas you would need, on average, 21 incandescent bulbs or 3 compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). As you can see that is a significant improvement. However, to last that long the LED needs to be well-made, which they will be if you buy from a reputable manufacturer and retailer.

LEDs are energy efficient

Studies have shown that LEDs are up to 80% more efficient than other types of bulbs. This is because 95% of the energy used is turned into light. This is not the case with fluorescent lights. Much of the energy that they consume is turned into heat rather than light.

LEDs require less power to function

In addition, LEDs draw less power, in the first place. Potentially, you can replace an 84 watt fluorescent light with a 36 watt LED. This means you can light the same space using around 40% less power.

LEDs do not contain mercury

Properly manufactured LED bulbs contain no toxic chemicals. This is not the case with fluorescent bulbs, which have a small amount of mercury sealed into the unit when they break that mercury is released. That is why you need to be careful when cleaning up strip lighting or CFLs. Naturally, if these bulbs end up in landfill the mercury does too, which is why on balance many experts feel LEDs are in fact better for the environment.

However, you do need to understand that LEDs are not currently that easy to recycle. As a result, when they are spent they are more likely to end up in landfill. Fortunately, the manufacturers of these bulbs are tackling this issue. Therefore, in the future, LEDs will become far easier to recycle, which means less of them will end up in landfill.

Light pollution can be reduced using LEDs

For animals that hunt at night, light pollution can be a big issue. It makes it hard for them to stay hidden for long enough to be able to catch it. Plus, for some animals, light pollution makes it harder for them to find and track their prey.

LED lighting can be focused and changed digitally to only transmit certain frequencies of light. This means that where they cast their light and the type of light they emit can be tailored to have less impact on the wildlife in an area. Should you want to learn more about what light pollution is and how it affects humans, plants, and animals, you can do so here.

Share

Energy

John Tarantino
My name is John Tarantino … and no, I am not related to Quinton Tarantino the movie director. I love writing about the environment, traveling, and capturing the world with my Lens as an amateur photographer.

Leave a reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Recent Posts

    • The Environmental Impact Of Biomedical Waste And How To Reduce It
    • What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Types of Water Filters?
    • The Top 7 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cabinet Picks For 2023
    • How To Sustain A Carbon-Neutral Lifestyle
    • Sustainable Fishing Methods to Fish More Responsibly
  • Categories

    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Environmental Policy
    • Green Food
    • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
    • Green Travel
    • Infographics
    • Other Stories
    • Pollution
    • Recycle
    • Sustainability
    • Toxics
    • Uncategorized
  • Archives

    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2011



Home | About | Advertise With Us | Bike The Netherlands | Current Environmental Issues | Eco Editorial | Contact