An LED lighting problem that’s baffled scientists for decades has been solved. AND: Why flicker is back – and is worse then ever. PLUS: Lux launches a new event for the fall. Lux Today newscast for Tuesday 24 May 2016 is presented by Courtney Ferguson.
Since old fashioned incandescent and halogen bulbs are being banned by governments around the world, most home owners have had to consider low energy alternatives.
The favourite choice now is LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, which are currently leading the field in terms of energy savings, product life and ease of use.
But how many of us understand the ways in which LED bulbs are different to incandescent models, and how to ensure that when we upgrade our lighting we actually make the right choices?
Let’s start with some basic facts about LED bulbs.
Basically, they offer a number of significant advantages to the obsolete incandescent types:
Major power saving: LEDs use approximately five times less energy as incandescent bulbs. As an example, you can replace an old 40W reading light bulb with an 8W LED. And since LEDs offer a more focused light, the energy savings could be up to 90%, and you can therefore have a lower-wattage bulb.
‘Cleaner’ Product: LEDs are non-toxic, and in particular contain no mercury.
Less Heat: Much less heat is produced by LED bulbs, in comparison with incandescent lights. That is especially important in Southern climates where air-conditioning is used.
Longer Life: LED bulbs do not need to be replaced very often – they can last up to twenty years in regular use.
Better Investment: They do cost more to buy, but when you consider their longer life and energy savings, they are a great investment.
So, when the time comes to replace old light bulbs, LEDs are the obvious choice, but how do we go about making the right selection for our home? There are so many styles, sizes, shapes and special formats on the market now, how do you know which is the right one?
Here are some tips to help you make the right decision…..
Consider how much brightness you need
Back in the bad old days, we all got used to measuring a light bulb’s brightness simply by its wattage. A 60 Watt bulb gave us an average light output for most domestic situations. However, wattage actually measures the amount of electrical energy a light bulb uses – a lot of which is given out as heat. Clearly, an LED will use fewer watts to generate the same amount of light.
To make sure that you get an LED with sufficient light output, you will need to get used to measuring brightness in lumens. An old fashioned 60-watt incandescent bulb generates about 800 lumens, so to get an equivalent, you need to look for an LED rated at 800 lumens of light output. A lot of LED packaging will tell you what wattage of incandescent bulb the lamp would be equivalent to.
What about quality of light?
Depending on where you are planning to use the LED bulbs, the quality of light may well be an important factor. Light quality is generally measured by CRI or Colour Rendering Index. This number indicates how accurately the bulb illuminates colours on a scale from 1 to 100. If you plan to use the lamp frequently – say in a living room – or it is going to be used in a prominent location like an entrance hall, CRI is a very important metric to consider. However, if it’s going to go into an airing cupboard or toilet, CRI isn’t as crucial. CRI ratings in excess of 85 and above are indications of very good colour rendering.
Are “warm” or “cool” light colours important?
There is a wide variety of LED bulbs available now, offering a range of light “colour temperatures” in Degrees Kelvin, or simply “K”. How do you know what colour temperature works for you? Colour temperatures with high K ratings, 6,000 or more, are classified as ‘cool’ colours, while those with lower K ratings, 3,500 or less, are classified as ‘warm.’ You will find most retailers referring to their products as cool white and warm white LED Bulbs.
Warm white bears a close resemblance to the light produced by halogens and incandescent bulbs. It is soft, easy on the eyes and promotes a comfortable and domestic aesthetic. As a rule of thumb, warm white bulbs should be used in ‘habitat’ spaces, such as living rooms, hallways and bedrooms, and as general illumination. In contrast, cool white is a very bright, sharp white light; less suitable for domestic spaces where the brightness of the light can be too harsh and even create a clinical effect.
What shape or type of LED bulb do you need?
LEDs now come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and will be suitable for replacing just about any kind of incandescent light bulb. You will now find LED globe light bulbs, chandelier light bulbs, and reflector light bulbs – along with lots of newly manufactured shades, lamps and fixings that have them built-in.
The traditional “light bulb” shapes are designed to give an all-round source of light, for instance in a table lamp or ceiling fitting, and are known as “omni-directional”. Reflector types are designed to give light off in one direction, so they’re best for overhead lighting, spotlights, and display lighting.
How about replacing incandescent bulbs in dimming systems?
Unfortunately, many old incandescent dimmers aren’t fully compatible with LED lighting, so you need to be careful when considering dimming. Many of the newer types of LED light bulb do have dimming capabilities – a great option if you want to save even more energy and control the room’s ambient environment. But you may need to invest in an LED-specific dimmer. If you’re looking for a dimmable LED, carefully check the specification on the bulb’s packaging and make sure you control it with a compatible dimmer.
Some don’t like it hot!
LED based light bulbs work best when they are kept cool. If you use an LED outdoors in winter or inside a refrigerator, it will actually last longer. However, excessive heat can cause problems, particularly as LEDs exposed to extreme heat may degrade more quickly over time. So, if you plan to use them in an area that can get hot (like in overhead recessed spotlights) it would be better to invest in high-temperature specification types which use an advanced cooling system – like the types produced by Megaman.
And finally, how can you actually get the ball rolling to take advantage of LED technology in your home?
Right at the beginning it takes a little research effort – initially you need to go round your home and make a note of all the bulbs you are currently using – including wattage (60W, 100W etc.), type of fixture (screw, bayonet etc.), bulb type (reflector, standard, golf ball, etc.) size and colour (warm, cool, etc.). Also approximately how much usage each bulb gets.
Next you need to figure out the type of LED bulb which can be used to replace each incandescent type in terms of lumens, shape, size and fixture. Check out dimming requirements carefully, then make a comprehensive list and check prices on the Internet or through lighting retail outlets.
All that’s needed then is to make the investment, change the bulbs, and start making real savings on your electricity bill!
GE to deliver energy savings of more than 50% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes annually with Santander lighting infrastructure upgrade
Demonstrating that corporations no longer have to choose between ‘profit and planet’, GE has delivered a cash-positive lighting infrastructure upgrade for the UK business of global banking institution Santander.
Lux reports: As the UK’s biggest ever fully-funded LED lighting retrofit, the project will see 90,000 new lights installed across the bank’s UK estate of 800 branches and 13 office buildings – slashing energy use in half and reducing carbon emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes each year.
Providing a full scope solution, GE will deliver lighting services throughout the 10-year contract, which includes optimised system design, installation, maintenance and management.
Importantly, the project is to be delivered using a cash-positive financing model, in a move that is set to reinvent the way people (companies?) think about investment in energy efficient lighting upgrades. The model includes a substantial investment of £17.5 million by the UK Green Investment Bank plc and Sustainable Development Capital Limited, making it the biggest LED-financing package the UK has ever seen.
This unconventional approach, in which the financing partners enable the lighting to be procured as a service rather than a product purchase, allows Santander to benefit from the reduced operating costs and improved energy efficiency of the LED lighting but without the capital investment and impact on the balance sheet – a flexible solution that could pave the way for many other organisations to follow suit.
Dan Vinton, CFO GE Lighting EMEA at , commented: “The lighting industry has changed dramatically in the last few years, moving away from supplying product as a simple disposable commodity, to providing high value solutions to customers while becoming a true energy efficiency partner. The old models of the lighting industry are no longer fit for purpose in this new market and this project represents a glimpse into the new world.”
“More than anything, this project has been about listening to our customer’s needs and working with them to develop a tailored package of lighting and finance solutions that perfectly meet their requirements. The strength, credibility and expertise represented by the GE brand helped make the project bankable which was a key element of success. We’re privileged to have been able to walk this learning journey together with our partners and proud of what we have accomplished here. We are now focused on scaling this offering more broadly and allowing more customers in our target markets and verticals to benefit from this type of smart value creation.”
Nick Roberts, Property Director, at Santander, said: “We launched our 20-20-15 energy efficiency strategy three years ago, in which we committed to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2015. LED lighting has become an integral part of our Energy Efficiency Plan and plays a key role in achieving these overall sustainability goals. Through this lighting upgrade we have taken a huge step forward in executing our long-term efficiency objectives, with GE providing the support, scale and suitable products that we needed.”
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore what LED can do for you. Distributors for all major brands, including GE LED. Call today for project pricing and financing details: 0208-540-8287, or email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
The industry is recycling more lamps and luminaires than ever, according to data from the Environment Agency.
In 2015 the number of lamps being recycled leapt by 44 per cent while luminaires were up 4.4 per cent. Commenting on the news, Nigel Harvey, CEO of specialist lighting WEEE compliance scheme Recolight, said: ‘It is particularly pleasing to see that the 2015 recycling rate bounced back up from 2014. This is probably due, in part, to the recycling of fluorescent waste resulting from major LED integrated luminaire roll outs in business premises across the UK. The lamp recycling rate from 2013 to 2014 saw a drop when, for the first time, the data included LED lamps as well as Gas Discharge Lamps. With very large quantities of LEDs being sold – but very few being returned as WEEE, the inclusion of LEDs inevitably reduced the rate.’
Turning to the luminaire recycling rate, he added ‘The luminaire recycling rate has increased from 2014 to 2015. However, the tonnage of luminaires collected in 2015 is only 5 per cent higher than in 2014. The rate increase is therefore primarily due to the 12.7 per cent reduction in the tonnage of luminaires reported as put on the market. This reduction is likely to be a result of dual use classification, which means that any luminaires that could be used by consumers are now out of scope of the WEEE Regulations.’
The Environment Agency data also reveals that membership of Recolight has increased more than any other UK scheme. The number of members increased by 23 producers between the end of 2014, and the beginning of 2016. That is also Recolight’s biggest annual increase recorded since the scheme was established in 2007.
Visit Novel Energy Lighting to explore LED retrofit lamps and tubes for your project. Out with the old, in with the new!
The inventor of the blue LED, Nobel Prize winner Shuji Nakamura, says laser diodes have ‘compelling advantages’ over LEDs. PLUS: The biggest LED order in history; and we interview new Harvard CEO Paul Hussey. Lux Today webcast 2 March 2016 with Courtney Ferguson.
Can the light bulb escape the axe? PLUS: Interview with Nick Farraway, Cree European chief, and organisers of LuxLive Middle East unveil their plans. Lux Today 19 January 2016 presented by Courtney Ferguson.
War and Peace TV series uses Verbatim candle-effect LED lamps
Monday, November 30, 2015
Egham, England, UK
Egham, England, UK – 30 November 2015: Verbatim’s hi-tech LED candle lighting is being used as a safe, realistic and practical alternative to open flame candles by the producers of War and Peace, a TV adaption of Tolstoy’s classic Russian novel to be screened by the BBC in 2016.
The TV series is being made by BBC Cymru Wales Drama in partnership with The Weinstein Company and BBC Worldwide/Lookout Point. During filming in Russia, local production company Globus Film Studio took the decision to install over 1200 Verbatim LED retrofit lamps to create appropriate lighting when shooting important scenes such as those in a historic ballroom.
The chandeliers of the ballroom were equipped with Verbatim LED VxRGB Natural Vision Candle lamps which deliver up to 50lm output and offer up to 25,000 hours of guaranteed lifetime. These lamps provide a warm candle-like glow that closely matches the colour spectrum of a real flame (with a colour temperature of 1900K). The lamp’s VxRGB technology ensures the accuracy in perceived colours and illuminates objects, showing them in finer detail. It also makes skin-tones more natural and helps viewers to perceive subtle hues often indistinguishable when employing other lighting solutions.
Besides avoiding the risk of fire from using thousands of candles on set, the use of Verbatim’s LED candle lamps prevents the possibility of continuity errors between scenes arising from candles burning at different lengths. The time-consuming task of lighting and extinguishing flamed candles every day is another major inconvenience bypassed in the process. Compared with other lighting solutions, using LEDs has significant energy saving benefits and the advantage of obtaining full brightness instantly when a lamp is turned on.
“Supplying our products to the makers of the BBC’s War and Peace TV series has provided Verbatim with a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of LED lighting in practical scenarios,” explains Dick C. Hoogerdijk, General Manager LED EUMEA, Verbatim. “It is particularly satisfying to receive so much positive feedback from members of the film crew and set design team from what is destined to be a multi-award winning TV production.”
The TV series features a formidable all-star cast including Paul Dano (12 Years a Slave), Lily James (Downton Abbey), Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), James Norton (Happy Valley) and Jim Broadbent (Paddington). Directed by Tom Harper (Woman In Black: Angel Of Death), the drama will consist of six 60-minute episodes to be screened in the UK by BBC One and eight 45-minute episodes for broadcast in international markets.
Verbatim’s LED VxRGB Natural Vision E14 2.5W candle lamps (product reference: 52243) are available to buy across Europe. For more information, visit the company’s website.
Press images are available to download (copy and paste this link in your web browser):
http://download.publitek.com/VER096.zip
Nayl D’Souza, on behalf of Verbatim – PR Agency: Publitek
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 470000
Email: nayl.dsouza@publitek.com
About Verbatim
Verbatim is a leading global company in data storage and LED lighting with a broad product portfolio spanning consumer and professional applications. Verbatim has been shaping the development of data storage devices since 1969 and is the world’s No 1 supplier of optical media (Blu-ray, DVD and CD). The company also markets flash memory, external hard drive storage solutions and a wide range of computer accessories.
In addition, the company is an innovator in fast-growing LED and OLED lighting, developing products that offer low power consumption, long life and a better lighting experience. It is also an emerging supplier of water filtration systems; its Cleansui brand is Japan’s favourite water filter, and most recently it has launched a range of plastic filaments for the 3D printing industry.
Verbatim is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Kagaku Media owned by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, one of the world’s largest chemical companies, which invests heavily in R&D across many diverse sectors. The company’s operating principles are founded on helping people to live in a healthy, comfortable and sustainable way. Verbatim’s regional organisations are EMEA, APAC and Americas, with offices in most countries in the world. The company’s European headquarters are based in the UK. For further information, visit http://www.verbatim.com
Megaman has extended the comprehensive Economy Lamp range of LED lamps that have been designed to offer the perfect alternative to their CFL counterparts, using only a fraction of the power with no sacrifice in performance, output and quality of illumination. The Economy 15,000 hour lamp range, represents unbeatable value and provides a myriad of options to cater for the requirements of most domestic and leisure installations.
This extended range introduces the new Gold Filament range of classic and globe shaped lamps that have been designed for use in decorative applications, including restaurants, bars and other hospitality areas. These visually striking lamps have been designed with a 2200K colour temperature to provide an extra warm illumination for mood lighting. All lamps in the Gold Filament range are 3W and dimmable available in Classic, 95mm Globe, 125mm Globe and ST58, providing endless design possibilities. The lamp life across the range is an impressive 15,000 hours with 210 lumens.
No lamp range would be complete without the popular Candle lamp and the Economy Range includes 3.5W and 5.5W opal, both with an even light distribution of 330º and the 5.5W opal 4000K that also provides a 330º distribution but differ in its cooler appearance. Megaman’s LED Candle lamps are infinitely suitable for use in chandeliers and decorative fittings plus a host of other applications.
The Classic lamps in the range are available in 5.5W, 11W, 9.5W and 9.5W in 4000K/6500K colour variants that produce a ‘daylight’ effect for crafting and art use. All Megaman Classic LED lamps have an intelligent heat sink design and an even light distribution of 330º. A 10.5W Classic Shatterproof has also been included in the range, featuring a polycarbonate cover that makes it suitable for use in areas where glass covered lamps are not an option.
To complete the range, Megaman has included Globe, Golf Ball, G4 and G9 lamps, plus a revolutionary new LED tube in 9.5W, 18W and 22W that is compatible with traditional magnetic ballasts, offering a real alternative to traditional T8 fluorescent lamps.
The Economy Lamp range from Megaman carries a 2 year warranty and are manufactured using the same expertise that has made the Megaman name synonymous with reliable, energy efficient lighting that uses the very latest technology.
Visit us today to explore the Megaman LED range: www.novelenergylighting.com, or call us for quotations: 0208-540-8287
At a special Lux Review conference on road tunnel lighting in association with Holophane and Carandini, experts explored issues including LEDs, controls and driver safety in tunnels
Royal Mail has replaced fluorescent lamps with LEDs at 16 centres across the UK, saving 11GWh of energy per annum
Royal Mail Group has reduced its energy demands by 11GWh per annum by replacing lighting with LED lamps and additional controls across 16 mail centres within the UK. The replacement programme converted 200,000 m2 of operational floor space and saw the removal of approximately 20,000 fluorescent lamps. The financial payback period was 2.5 years.
The LED lighting replacement programme represents a significant commitment by Royal Mail Group to reduce energy usage throughout its portfolio. In addition to the 11GWh annual energy saving, further substantial benefits include a reduced maintenance liability by the removal of fluorescent lamps.
Royal Mail worked closely with the contractors and supply chain to optimise a programme designed to have zero impact on mail centre operations in terms of mail throughput and disruption. Royal Mail Group Property engaged with its internal ‘Environment Pillars’ and operations teams to assist with the coordination of the installation programme to ensure good practice and optimise savings.
The programme also incorporated the installation of daylight dimmable lighting controls on several projects together with PIR sensors to maximise energy savings and harness natural daylight. This has proven extremely effective and ensured additional energy savings have been generated.
The Royal Mail Group also integrated measurement and verification (M&V) in accordance with the International Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) at each site undergoing LED replacement. The M&V was undertaken by independent IPMVP-certified consultants. This provided a robust verification process, delivering evidence that targeted energy savings were being achieved and giving confidence for future deployment of LED low energy lighting schemes.
For more on this project, don’t miss LuxLive, where John Bradshaw, engineering and technical services manager at Royal Mail, will talk delegates through the rollout of LEDs and controls to the 16 UK mail centres
The project is shortlisted for the Lux Awards, also on Thursday 19 November.
In 2015 the number of lamps being recycled leapt by 44 per cent while luminaires were up 4.4 per cent. Commenting on the news, Nigel Harvey, CEO of specialist lighting WEEE compliance scheme Recolight, said: ‘It is particularly pleasing to see that the 2015 recycling rate bounced back up from 2014. This is probably due, in part, to the recycling of fluorescent waste resulting from major LED integrated luminaire roll outs in business premises across the UK. The lamp recycling rate from 2013 to 2014 saw a drop when, for the first time, the data included LED lamps as well as Gas Discharge Lamps. With very large quantities of LEDs being sold – but very few being returned as WEEE, the inclusion of LEDs inevitably reduced the rate.’
