LEDs are notable for being extremely long-lasting products. Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 bulb will last more than 11 years. Used 8 hours a day, it will last 17 years!

The advantages of switching to LED are numerous. Here are just some of the benefits: LEDs use much less electricity than other bulbs, have extremely long rated lives, produce very little heat, do not emit UV or infrared, contain no mercury, are resistant to shock and vibration, and can operate effectively in extremely cold environments. For more information the advantages of LED, see LED: Is It Right For You?.

LED is still a new technology, and the expense of producing quality product is still high. However, pricing has come down dramatically from just a few years ago and prices are expected to continue to drop. In terms of whether LEDs are worth the extra cost, it’s helpful to look at the cost to operate a bulb in addition to the up-front cost. The energy savings realized in a switch to LED means that the extra up-front cost is often paid back rather quickly, and you’ll wind up saving money over the life of the bulb. Here is an example: for a residential customer who may have the light on for just 10 hours per week ñ the payback is over 10 years. On the other hand, a retail or restaurant client who is burning lights for 90-100 hours per week will calculate their payback on a $70 LED PAR to be less than 18 months. Taking a look at your payback estimate should definitely be a consideration when deciding if LED is right for you.

If you buy quality product, the light quality is excellent. Color Rendering Index (CRI) is generally used to measure light quality on a scale from 1-100. Most LEDs have a CRI rating of at least 80, and many are rated 90 and above.

LEDs are very green. For starters, they use much less electricity than many other lighting products. This means that less electricity has to be produced to operate them, and resulting in lower emissions from power plants, especially in areas where coal-fired plants are common. Unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury. Because of their long life, they also reduce solid waste: If you replace an incandescent bulb with an LED, you will prevent fifty 1,000 hour incandescent bulbs from being thrown away. Additionally, they produce very little heat and can reduce energy usage related to HVAC. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that increased adoption of LEDs over the next 15 years would also reduce electricity demands from lighting by 62 percent, prevent 258 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and eliminate the need for 133 new power plants.

In many cases, yes. In order to find out if you are eligible for a rebate or other incentive program, you can reference the Department of Energy’s DSIRE site, or call a Smart LED Concepts Lighting Specialist.

LED lights are designed to blend seamlessly with architecture and environment. The diffusing lens and reflector system deliver an optimal light distribution that softly washes walls and sufficiently illuminates work surfaces. LEDs are not visible, so you won’t be distracted by hot spots or glares. The only thing you’ll experience is life under beautiful, more natural light.