When outfitting a home or office space, there are so many design and functionality considerations for those tasked with the job. Between furnishings, layout, efficiency, and many other facets of interior design, it can definitely be overwhelming. One area of interior design where there is an abundance of options yet is often overlooked is smart LED lighting. The choice, however, is simple. In 2015, it is almost a requirement to outfit any space with LED Lighting.
LED lighting, or light emitting diode, is a semi-conductor, meaning that its electrical conductivity properties fall somewhere in between those of a conductor (like copper) and an insulator (like wood). Furthermore, semi-conductors are composed of the combination of simple elemental materials and more complex compound materials. LED lighting requires a certain voltage, or electrical charge, to activate the diode by filling wells in the lighting device that are specifically designed to house the diode-composing materials’ electrons. When these wells are filled, photon energy is produced and LED light is emitted.
For most of its history, LED lights were used as indicators on a wide variety of technological devices. Over time, engineers and physics scientists alike acknowledged that there were more potential uses for LED lights and we started seeing them being used more frequently. First in digital clocks, then in various types of signage, LED lighting’s popularity rose without a full understanding of how beneficial this type of lighting could be.
One of the most valuable characteristics of LED lighting that makes it an attractive choice for incorporating into a home or office is its exceptionally low energy usage compared to all other types of lighting. Due to the small amount of energy that these lights use, their average life span is significantly higher as is their actual output. These small little bulbs have the ability to shed light on sprawling properties and can provide more visual clarity in all types of spaces. Additionally, the LED light bulb’s size, shape, and orientation do not have an impact on its actual light emmitance. Imagine changing light bulbs every 20 years and cutting your electricity bill by 30%.
LED lighting is much easier to control than incandescent lighting and allows fine tuning of lighting scenes to the exact specification as determined by the homeowner or interior designer. When combined with a leading home automation system, lighting control is effortless and produces exceptional results- whether programming “at-home” and “away” scenes or creating elaborate landscape lighting designs.
An additional facet of the LED lighting system’s minimal energy consumption is that these lights have the ability to contribute greatly to a homeowner’s efforts towards sustainability. While other lighting systems, such as incandescent bulbs, requires a lot of energy and have relatively short lives, LED lights’ longevity reduces the amount of fossil fuel that needs to be burned to power these lights. This in turn leads to fewer harmful emissions. While there may seem to be various degrees of separation between fossil fuel consumption and a home’s lighting format, those who live with sustainability in mind are able to acknowledge that even the slightest environmentally conscious contributions make a difference. LED Lighting is also a key component of LEED certification in commercial buildings.
LED Lighting is also extremely cost effective. Less energy to power more lighting is quite an ideal equation for homeowners and business owners alike, and those who decide to incorporate LED lighting will see a significant reduction in their utility bill compared to the cost of their previous lighting systems.
Living in the twenty-first century requires mindfulness and intelligent property ownership. With all of the advantages of LED lighting, the choice is essentially a no-brainer. Efficiency and utility are only some key features of this system, but increased utilization over time will most likely bring more benefits to light.