Here are some of the main benefits of this technology:
1. Energy savings: In comparison with traditional lighting sources, the savings obtained by using LED lighting is about 90% compared to incandescent lamps, 85% compared to halogen lamps, 70% compared to metal halide lamps, and 55% compared to fluorescent lamps. The advantage is immense, with a considerable reduction in operating and management costs.
2. Colour temperature: The atmosphere in rooms is determined by the colour of the light from a light source, and the colour depends on the heat at which the lamp is heated. In lighting technology, heat is expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). Low temperatures (2700K to 3500K) create warm, relaxing lighting, used to enhance the colours yellow and red. Medium temperatures (4000K to 4500K) create lighting referred to as natural or neutral light: in fact, the light emitted by the sun in the middle hours of the day. All colours of the light spectrum are optimally represented. High temperatures (above 5000K), on the other hand, create a cold environment, enhancing the colours blue and green.
3. Capacity and durability: LEDs retain 70% of their initial light output after 50,000 hours of operation, according to EN50117 standards. It is not necessarily necessary to replace them after this period: if this reduction does not create excessive discomfort, they can be safely used until the complete loss of brightness, estimated at 120,000 hours. Comparing the life of LEDs to traditional lamps, the average life of a filament bulb is about 2,000 hours, that of a discharge lamp is about 4,000 hours and that of a fluorescent lamp about 7,000 hours.
4. Notions of lighting technology: In order to best understand the product data sheets of the various manufacturers, it is good to have a clear understanding of some lighting technology concepts.
5. Luminous flux: Luminous flux is a physical quantity that indicates how much light is emitted by a light source. the radiant power of a light source, evaluated in terms of the sensitivity of the human eye. Luminous flux expresses the ability of a radiant flux to provide visual perception. The unit of measurement for luminous flux is the Lumen (lm).
6. Illuminance: The unit of illuminance is the Lux (lx). Lux simply measures the ‘density’ of light and is defined as the illuminance, produced by a luminous flux, of one lumen over one square metre. The illuminance therefore depends on the distance we are from the source and how the luminous flux is ‘concentrated’. At a distance of one metre, a 1000 lumen lamp with an aperture of 10 degrees will produce a higher illuminance than a lamp with an aperture of 50 degrees. Illuminance will therefore be one of the important factors when calculating and choosing the light source according to the environment to be illuminated. To date, the illuminance of swimming pools has not yet been standardised and there is therefore no technical regulation imposing a minimum ‘amount of light’ in the water.
7. Luminous efficiency: Expressed in Lumen/Watt, luminous efficiency indicates the value by which electrical energy is converted into light, i.e. the ratio of the luminous flux emitted by a light source divided by the electrical power absorbed (W). The unit of measurement is lumen per watt (lm/W).