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Everything you should know about LED light bulbs, lamps and lighting

At eLightful Toronto, it is our goal to provide our customers with as much information & knowledge
as possible so that they can make informed buying decisions.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO NEVER CHANGE A LIGHT BULB AGAIN?

Well, we are not quite there "yet" - but it's getting much closer.  Today you can replace many (sometimes even most) or the light bulbs and lamps in your home or condo and expect them to last for about 10 years!   And while the initial upfront costs may seem high - if properly planned and managed, you can break even with a payback period of less that 2 years - and actually save (a lot) of money compared to what you are now spending.

At eLightful Toronto, LED light bulbs are getting more and more popular all the time, mostly due to their lifespan and efficiency.

Definition : LED light bulb = one or more "light-emitting diodes" (LED's) assembled and designed into a product - used for general lighting purposes.

          1. Overview
            LED based lighting products have a lifespan and efficiency that is several times greater than comparable incandescent or halogen lamps, and significantly better than most CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs or linear fluorescent tubes.

            For general consumer use (retrofitting LED's into existing sockets and fixtures) - the LED marketplace has matured in recent years and stabilized with new designs & technology - offering reliable and high value options specifically for standard household (A19) bulbs, MR16 / MR11 mini spots and for outdoor spot and flood lamps. Currently LED products are being introduced to replace Halogen Capsules (G4 / G8 / G9 / G6.35) and even Linear Fluorescent Tubes (T8 is most common).
          2. Technology
            Light-emitting diodes (LED) are semiconductors. They provide light by passing electrons through the semiconductor. This is different from incandescent bulbs (which emit light from a vacuum) or compact florescent bulbs (which use gas.)

            The semiconductor structure of an LED is made of a positively charged component and a negatively charged component. When an electric charge strikes it, electrons flow from the negative to the positive layer. This causes the electrons to emit light.
          3. Household Usage
            LED technology is still being developed to meet the various needs of a household. However, recently, LED bulbs have been developed that can replace many older types of bulbs, including the classic 60 watt incandescent bulb. This makes this a viable technology for many household lighting needs. There are a number of advantages to choosing LED bulbs for household use.
          4. Benefits
            One of the main advantages to LED lighting is that the LED method of producing light loses far less heat than other types of lighting technology. This makes LED bulbs about 85% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Plus, LED bulbs generally last much longer. A typical incandescent bulb could last for about 750 hours while an equivalent LED could last about 25,000 hours.

            Similar advantages apply when comparing LED bulbs to halogen bulbs and even compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).

            As an example, here is a sample comparison of Halogen vs LED costs (and bulb lifespan)

          5. Drawbacks
            A drawback of LED bulbs used to be the light colour/colour temperature. LEDs used to produce a much more blue light than standard household lighting. However, newer models of LED lights can produce a soft, white light that is similar to a standard incandescent bulb.

            However, LED light bulbs due tend to be more expensive to purchase than other types of lighting technology. Though, when bulb lifespan and energy-savings are factored in this upfront cost is more than balanced out over time.
          6. Costing and financial payback
            As mentioned, LED bulbs have a greater upfront cost. However, you will end up saving money in the long run. Not only do LED bulbs use less energy to provide light, but you only need to replace an LED bulb every 10 or 20 years. In addition, LED light bulbs are coming down in cost, even when compared to just a few years ago. This means that the upfront cost to replace your existing lights with LEDs is much less now than it ever has been. In addition, many regions offer discounts, coupons and other savings for choosing more energy-efficient lighting such as LEDs.

Find out more on LED light bulbs including comparisons, information on brands, how and where to buy LED light bulbs in Toronto and more. If you have any questions about LEDs or if you would like to purchase LED bulbs, please feel free to contact us .