LEDs vs traditional lighting
Lamp Technology
LEDs
(Light Emitting Diodes)
CFLs
(Compact Fluorescent Lamps)
Halogens
PERFORMANCE
Life expectancy
30,000 to 50,000 hrs
8,000 to 15,000 Hrs
2,000 to 5,000 hrs
Robustness
Very robust
Fragile, require careful handling and transportation
Fragile, require careful handling and transportation
Dimmable?
Yes (with careful selection)
Yes (with careful selection)
Yes
Start-up to illuminate
Instantaneous
Delayed - continue to improve
Almost instantaneous
Colour temperature
Wide range of colours and white colour temperatures
Colour options restricted to use of filters
Colour options restricted to use of filters
Light efficiency
(lumens/watt)
40 (improving all the time)
50
5
ENVIRONMENT
Harmful materials
None
Mercury & Phosphor
None
Health effects*
No UV, No IR
UV rays, IR effects
UV rays, IR effects, SAD Syndrome
Specialist disposal (WEEE)
No (recyclable)
Requires compliance with WEEE Directive - Specialist Disposal
No (to Landfill)
Carbon emission for 1 lamp 24/7/365 (kg)
18.8kg (5W)
41.4kg (11W)
180.3kg (50W)
EFFICIENCY
KWh for 1 lamp 24/7/365 (KWh)
43.8KWh
96.36KWh
438KWh
Energy cost for 1 lamp 24/7/365
[KWH rate £0.14]
£6.13
£13.49
£61.32
Energy efficiency
90%
78%
10%
Overall Cost of Ownership
Lowest
Low
High
*Need to check health effects (SAD) and figures in red