Advantages And Disadvantages Of LED Lights [UPDATED]

LED lights have been officially higher in demand in recent years and are known as the most interesting and innovative lighting sources for all areas whether it is for home or commercial use. LEDs are popular due to their high energy efficiency, durability, and low maintenance requirements than other traditional lighting sources.

But along with all these qualities LEDs also have many drawbacks which cannot be ignored. Here in this article, we will help you to explore deeply about advantages and disadvantages of LED lights so that you could make a better choice for your place.

What are LED lights?

LED (light emitting diodes) lights are the most popular and new technology in the lighting industry. They contain a semiconductor that converts electrical energy into light energy. LEDs are distinguished due to their variable advantages over other lighting sources. LEDs are highly energy-efficient and have a longer service life. LEDs are used where general and colored lighting is required.

How LED lights work

LED lights work just like standard lights but there is a fact that LED lights do not use filament to produce light. Instead LED lights use a semiconductor material to produce lumination. The working mechanism of LED lights is simple: visible light is produced by passing an electric current through the semiconductor. Electron stream across the semiconductor creates electromagnetic radiation that results in visible light.

Advantages of LED lights

1) Energy-Efficiency

LED lights are highly energy-efficient as compared to any other traditional lights. LED light converts about 80% of input energy into visible light and tends to waste less energy in the form of heat. LED lights require less energy to give brighter lumination as compared to other lighting sources.

2)Low Maintenance

LED lights are highly reliable and don’t require frequent maintenance over some time. LED lights are less likely to break so they save time and money spent on maintenance like other traditional lights. This feature of LED further allows the use of LEDs in remote or inaccessible areas.

3)Longevity

LED lights have the longest lifespan; they are 25 times more reliable than all other lighting options in the market because like other lights they don’t have filaments. LED lights have an average lifespan of 25,000 to 50,000. LED lights can last 25 times longer than incandescent lights and 3 times more than CFL lights. It essentially means LED lamps and bulbs last for several years before light tends to dim and replacement is required.

4)Shock Resistance

LEDs are made up of solid-state material and don’t contain any material like filament or glass case that’s why they are not prone to get damaged by any form of shock. This property of LED light makes them to be used in areas where shock resistance is important like in marine lighting or aviation lighting.

6)No Overheating

LEDs produce modest quantities of hotness due to their superior technology. They are highly efficient and they convert about 90% of input energy into visible lumination and don’t produce heat to waste energy. Thermal management is the most important factor in the successful performance of LEDs. LEDs save your lighting system from overheating which is a major safety concern.

7)Environmental Friendly

LEDs have a notably less environmental impact than other traditional lights.LEDs tend to be more eco-friendly as they don’t contain any harmful gases. They work on low energy consumption which means there is less carbon emission. They can be easily disposed of.

8)Directional Lumination

One of the greatest advantages of LEDs is direct lumination. Direct lumination means light is emitted by a source into a directed beam that travels uninterrupted to target areas. This makes LEDs to be used in target-specific areas of lighting such as in flashlights or vehicle lights.

9)Design Flexibility

Advantageously, LEDs have a wide range of designs and sizes which makes it easier to choose the perfect light for your space according to its theme and ambiance.

10)Cold Temperature Options

LED lights have the advantage that they can easily work under different temperatures.LEDs can work effectively in low temperatures because initially, they don’t require to be warmed up to operate. LEDs can operate at lower temperatures as -40℉ without any reduction in performance. That’s the reason why LEDs are an ideal choice for outdoor lighting.

11)Varying Colours

LED lights offer a wide spectrum of colors. LED lights are designed to emit different colors of light by varying the composition of semiconductor material. LED light can emit many different colors like red blue green which make them more popular to be used in decorative lights.

12)Lower Electricity Bills

One of the most beneficial advantages of switching to LED lights is massive cost savings on electricity bills. In LEDs, there is less consumption of energy to get an equal amount of lumination as compared to traditional lights. In the long run, LEDs are cost-effective due to low energy consumption per lamp.

13)Fire and Explosion Safety

LED lights hold various safety factors. Many reasons ensure that LEDs are safer.

Initially, LEDs don’t contain any harmful gases that can cause explosions on heating up.
LEDs are also rugged, which makes them less prone to accidents and reliable to use in households.
Additionally, LEDs produce less heat which reduces the chance of accidents like fire and explosion due to overheating.

Disadvantages of LED Lights

1)High Upfront Cost

LEDs are a far more expensive investment than incandescent or CFLs. The higher initial cost can be a drawback for some people and they may feel hesitant to invest in LED lights because they are not familiar with technology and may not feel it is beneficial in the long run.

2)Compatibility Issues with Different Fixtures

Shifting to LED lights from any conventional light will bring you a problem with fixtures. As most LED lights have a built-in design which will need the replacement of the whole fixture.

3)Heat Damage

LEDs still generate a small amount of heat which can cause problems and for that, they require a special heat sink to perform efficiently. Also, it is noted that LEDs can decrease their efficiency and longevity due to working in high temperatures.

4)Harms of Blue Light

Various studies have shown that blue light emitted from LEDs is hazardous to human health. Working under LED light for a longer period can cause health issues like eye stains, migraines, and even sleep disturbance.

5)Limited Color Range

LEDs produce white bright light and also give a wide range of colors but are still limited as compared to traditional lighting sources. This could be a disadvantage of LEDs in areas where there is a need for wider color ranges or where aesthetic lighting is needed. Additionally, LED lights cannot give aesthetic vibes that are sometimes the specific choice of people and for that, they prefer traditional lights.

6)Dimming Hazards

LED lights tend to dim over some time and this property of dimming could be hazardous if the LED is not dimmed properly. For that purpose, LEDs require a dimmer that must be compatible with the light. If not then it will decrease the lifespan of light dramatically and cause flickering problems.

7)Over Brightness

Sometimes LED light gives too much brightness which is annoying and makes it difficult for people to work under that brightness. LEDs give over brightness when they get higher voltage input than usual constant voltage.

8) Require special controllers

LED lights are most sensitive to changes in temperature and voltage and they require a constant current to operate effectively that special control system is required that can regulate current, temperature, and voltage. These controls are dimming control and color control. Without these controls LED lights cannot work properly and can become prone to failure earlier. These are some of the most common problems with LED lightening.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How are LED Lights Cost-Effective?

LEDs use less energy to give greater output; they have longer lifespans, high Energy-efficiency, and low maintenance requirements. They are considered to be a cost-effective purchase because there is no need for frequent replacements or maintenance of LEDs that will save money and time consecutively.

How are LED Lights Better than Traditional lights?

LED lights are far better than traditional lights as they have many advantages over them such as long lifespan, increased Energy-efficiency and durability. LED lights offer a wide range of designs and sizes that can full fill your lighting requirements easily.

What are the Drawbacks of LED Lights?

The drawbacks of led lights are

Risk of getting damaged when higher voltage is given.
LED lights are expensive.
They produce bluish light that can cause eye problems.
At high temperatures, they can get damaged easily.
A constant voltage source is required for LEDs throughout their lifespan.

Do LED Lights Have Any Harmful Effects on Human Health?

Working under the increased brightness of LED lights could be sometimes harmful to your eye health. It can also cause headache problems along with disturbed sleep and stress conditions.

What Are the Five Main Applications of LED Lights?

LED lights have the following applications

Decorative lighting
Automobiles industry
Display boards
Wristwatches
Indicator lamps

Conclusion

LED lights are constantly gaining popularity and are improving and developing with time regardless of their disadvantages, LEDs are the better choice because their advantages outweigh their cons due to Energy-efficiency and longevity.

A walk-through advantages and disadvantages of LED lights is necessary to understand whether it is beneficial for you to purchase LEDs for your space or not and it will also help you to make a better decision according to your needs and budget.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of LED Lights [UPDATED]

What are LED lights?

How LED lights work