Lumen Output – Halogen vs. LED

Posted on by
1

You have probably heard of the many benefits by switching to LED lighting. In this blog post I will be talking about lumen output and in doing so, I will compare Halogen and LED on the basis of lumen output.

In our example, I am comparing a Halogen PAR30 and an LED PAR30. See the table below for the technical details:

Halogen

LED

Shape

PAR30 Longneck

PAR30 Longneck

Energy Use

75w

16.3w

Lumen Output

980

800

Beam Spread

25

23

Application

6” ceiling can

Foot-candles

89

104

Foot

I’d like to call your attention to the lumen output and the foot-candle measurement in the above table. The Halogen lamp has an output of 980 lumens while only producing 89 fc and the LED lamp has an output of 800 lumens and is producing 104 fc. Note: Each light was measured in the same ceiling can with the same ambient lighting.

LED Foot-candlesSo how are 800 lumens outperforming 980 lumens? A true LED lighting expert will tell you it’s the difference between initial lumens and delivered lumens. Initial lumens are the quantity of light output measured after the first 100 hours of operation using controlled system characteristics. What? Basically, initial lumens is the light output of the lamp or luminaire before any light loss factors are considered. Delivered lumens is the light output of the lamp or luminaire including factors of light loss, optics, heat, etc..

So why is this important when you switch to LED lighting? It’s simple really. If you are happy with your light levels and think you can switch to LED based on similar lumen output you are likely in for a very BRIGHT surprise! I would recommend that you consult with your LED lighting experts at LED Source before you make the switch. This will ensure you get the right amount of light for your application, and who knows, you might be even able to reduce the number of lamps or fixtures that were previously used. Another bonus point for LED lighting!!

Miami Tower Utilizes LED Lighting to Support Miami Heat

Posted on by
Reply

The NBA’s Miami Heat has made it to the pinnacle of basketballs Mt. Rushmore. They are playing in their second consecutive NBA Finals and heading towards adding Miami’s second NBA championship in as many years.

How does a city show its support and make a statement to the world? Why with LED lighting of course! From Miami to New York and cities around the world, skylines are being reinvented – just look to the Miami Tower and Empire State Building as great examples.

Miami Heat Miami TowerIf you haven’t already noticed, the iconic Miami Tower is showing its support to the Miami Heat in red and white. During game time, you might even have seen the Tower in all its LED glory. It is truly amazing that LED lighting can lend beauty and versatility to a building, while supporting a city’s professional sport teams, or even important causes or special events. Celebrations are highlighted by light shows of LED brilliance with literally millions of color combinations.

Miami Tower LED SourceHowever, the flexibility of the LED lighting at the Miami Tower is not just to salute the Miami Heat. The capabilities allow the Tower to show solidarity with Breast Cancer survivors by shrouding itself in pink during Breast cancer awareness month (October). You may have even seen the Miami Tower paying tribute to 9/11 as an American flag. Now that’s a powerful statement.

Let’s not ignore the other benefits LED lighting provides – it saves energy and money. The Miami Tower is a great example of saving over $250K annually in energy and related operating costs.

Alicia Keys LED Lighting Empire State BuildingIf you’re not from Miami and never heard of the Miami Tower, then certainly a reference building such as the Empire State Building should make you stand up and take notice. The New York City landmark is using the same LED technology in a big way. On a daily basis, ESB showcases the flexibility of the LED lighting system by shining bright in the Manhattan skyline while in support of many great causes.

For more information on the LED lighting system used at the Miami Tower, contact the LED lighting experts at LED Source.

Related articles

Looking For Halogen PAR Light Bulbs? The Ban Continues…

Posted on by
3

PAR30 HalogenIt will take you longer to find your favorite HALOGEN PAR light bulbs these days. Due to elements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, light bulb phase outs of inefficient lighting continue to happen, and the list keeps getting longer.

The future is looking dim, excuse the pun, for PAR lamps of all shapes and sizes. The ban, which takes effect July 14th of this year, covers most Halogen PAR bulbs between 40-205 watts and includes the PAR 20 bulbs in your track lights, PAR 30 bulbs in your recessed lighting and also the PAR 38 that is illuminating your beautiful landscape in an outdoor fixture.

Of course you have heard this before since the phase out already includes the 100W and 75W incandescent. This is soon to be followed by the 60W and 40W. Yes Virginia, the Thomas Edison lighting bulb is being retired, along with its friends.

In January 2012, we were all impacted when the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 demanded that our classic 100 watt standard incandescent no longer be manufactured.  While many homeowners hoarded and stocked up while they could, many others were left with replacing their tried-and-true bulbs with energy-efficient counterparts (CFL, LED or lower-wattage incandescents).

So what is one to do?

CFLs have made some improvement after Energy Star and Underwriters Laboratory testing, but the CFL is not a quality light source. CFLs do not dim and each time you turn it on and off you shorten its lifetime. In addition the health concerns related to the CFL containing toxic mercury.

Toshiba LED LightingThe only LEDucated answer is LED lighting. LEDs will outlast the CFL by thousands of hours. LED lamps are fully functional when it comes to dimming and quality LEDs come with Energy Star rating and rebates in some areas!

LED color temperatures range from warm white (2700K) for the reading lamps in the family room to bright crisp white (4000K) for the workshop or kitchen recessed lighting. Whatever your use, you will find a quality LED lamp replacement.

Let’s not forget the economic benefits of LED lighting. In a recent Consumer Reports study it was stated that ”For every dollar you spend to power a regular light bulb, it’s only going to cost you 20 cents to power an LED.”
PAR 30The time is now to make the switch to PAR LED lamps. Quality LED manufacturers already have complete lines available in various color temperatures that are dimmable. It is time that consumers stop looking at lighting as disposable but rather something that enhances our lives while saving us energy and money. The future is bright with LED lighting.

Related articles

The LED Light Bulb Has Arrived

Posted on by
3

Compact Fluorescent Bulb

After a recent visit to a big box hardware store I had to explain to my 9-year-old daughter why we had to deposit our old compact fluorescent light bulbs in the big blue container with the skull and crossbones on it. I explained that this was a hazardous material and disposing it in here was good for the environment. So without missing a beat she asked, “If that was the reason, why was it safe to use this light bulb in my bedroom?” Great question!

As with most families we stretch our budget to its limit and try to save money where we can. We have only read about the day when a quality LED lamp (bulb) would be available to the masses. So for many of us waiting, we can finally exhale since that day has arrived.

Our family is now on a mission to replace our energy wasting incandescent and toxic compact fluorescent light bulbs to safe, long-lasting LED lights.

Businesses have seen the many benefits that LED lighting provides from saving energy and operating costs for the past few years, especially as the technology has improved and a variety of retrofit options hit the market.

LED Lighting Kitchen

In my own home, if I change my exterior light bulbs, which are on for 10 hours per night, and the interior light bulbs, (extremely high family room and kitchen ceilings) I should have my payback in less than 12 months!

Philips EnduraLED

Due to the long life span of LEDs, I won’t have to chase my family around the house shutting off lights in rooms where no one is sitting, or ask my neighbor to borrow his extremely high ladder to change those hard to reach light bulbs.

Cree LED BulbRecent industry predictions that LED lamp prices would be coming down were realized when a major LED manufacturer matched it’s cost to marketplace need with a reasonably priced, quality LED light bulb aimed squarely at the residential marketplace. Offering a line of LED light bulbs to replace the 40W and 60W incandescent, they have achieved the sweet spot for many household budgets – between $10 and $13.

We can now safely install a truly green product, which is safe to handle, offers a quality light source, all for the price of a combo meal at a fast food restaurant!

For LED lighting solutions, visit the experts at LED Source – 866.900.4533

Related articles

Do Your Part On Earth Day With LED Lighting

Posted on by
Reply

LED Source Faces of Climate Change

So what do Earth Day and LED Lighting have in common? To answer this question, we first must understand how Earth Day began.

Earth Day began as a grass roots campaign in the U.S. during the 1960’s and has grown to be a worldwide social and environmental awareness movement.

Earth Day participation has inspired many local and national political policies, including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of Endangered Species Act.

Today, Earth Day is when we can reflect on our planet, the environment and find ways to become more energy-efficient and reduce our carbon footprint.

Often overlooked, LED lighting can reduce greenhouse gas carbon emissions dramatically. In fact the United States Department of Energy has stated the wide spread use of LED lighting can defer 246 million metric tons of carbon over the next several years. That is because the power plants would burn less fossil fuel to power LEDs over incandescent or fluorescent lighting used today.

For each Earth Day participant who purchases LED lighting for their home or business, the benefits are realized immediately through improved lighting conditions and energy bill savings each month.

The timing for switching to LED could not be better. Recent enactments of the Energy Policy Act have already banned the100W and 75W incandescent from production and the 60W and 40W will soon follow. LEDs also have zero levels of mercury, which is typical for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). Just imagine all the mercury that ends up in our landfills from improper disposal of these CFL bulbs. By making the switch to LED lighting, not only would less lamps end up in landfill, LEDs are recyclable and contain no mercury.

Recently LED manufacturers have helped Earth Day celebrants become energy efficient by lowering the cost of LED lighting, which can do wonders for Mother Nature. Rebates and incentives, if available, will drive the cost down even further.

So make everyday Earth Day and switch the lighting in your home or business to LED. You will not only save money, you be doing your part in helping the planet.

For more information on LED Lighting, contact the Experts at LED Source.

Paying Tribute to the City of Boston

Posted on by
3

Miami Tower LED Lighting LED SourceTo pay tribute to the City of Boston and all those who have been affected by the senseless tragedy of yesterday’s bombings, tonight both the Miami Tower and the Bank of America building in Fort Lauderdale will shine brightly in blue and yellow thanks to LED lighting.

Boston Marathon FlagWe are runners, parents, sons and daughters and can’t even begin to imagine the impact this has had on the families that have been affected by this incident. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with those most hurt by this unthinkable act of violence. Today we mourn but tomorrow we RUN.

LED Lighting Adds Beauty, Consistency and Value

Posted on by
3

Ashley Furniture HomeStoreMy friends have been looking at me in a funny way for the last 7 plus years.  You see, I’m in the lighting business, so every place I enter, the first thing I do is look up.  It’s a habit now that seems to drive my wife crazy.  I’m curious how the lighting looks, if all of the color temperatures match, if they have the correct lighting levels, etc.  Until I started doing this, I didn’t realize how unbelievably hard it seems to be to make a clean, beautiful lighting plan work.

If you are the owner of a franchise location (or more than one), you know the importance of keeping the image of the brands you represent consistent.  With traditional lighting technology, the color temperature, hours of life and energy usage vary based on the technology you use, how old the fixtures are, etc.  That means if you open your first location one year and a second two years later, you may not be able to match the lighting between them.  What can you do to make everything the same?

Moving into LED Lighting Solutions is the key.  With the manufacturers we work with (including Philips, Cree, Toshiba, Lighting Science Group and others) we can give you a consistent lighting look across all of your locations.  Every lamp will match, the output will be the same and we can easily take the lighting you have now, convert it to LED and save you between 50 and 75 percent of your energy cost on lighting.  Add in the benefits of long life (50,000+ hours), long warranties (up to 10 years) and absolutely color consistency and you can see that LED is ideal for operators of franchise locations.  The lighting is a huge part of making your product, both the storefront and your merchandise, look the same in the best possible manner.

Hurricane Grill & WingsEvery day that you wait to move into LED is a day of savings lost.  There is absolutely no reason to wait, especially with our LouMan Money program.  Get in touch with us today to explore how LED Source can make your business shine like never before (and for a lot less money out of your pocket each month).  Our experience with brands such as Massage Envy, Starbucks, Marriott, City Furniture, Hurricane Grill & Wings and others, has taught us a lot about how to work with a franchisee and franchisor to make it happen.  LED Source, being North America’s only LED lighting franchisor, also provides us special insight into the importance of respecting both the unit owners and the corporate higher-ups.

For more information on LED Source and our franchise opportunity please call us at 866.900.4533 or www.LEDsource.com

Related articles