Knowing the differences between LED tube lighting and fluorescent tube lighting can help save you money, energy, and positively impact the environment. While they may look similar, there are major differences between the two tubes. Our team here at LED One has put together an insiders look as to why LED tube lighting is a better choice than the fluorescent alternative.
Materials
Perhaps one of the biggest positives of LED Lighting is the material LED tube lights are made out of. LED lights utilize an aluminum backbone and are designed with non-hazardous materials without lead and mercury, This makes it safe for everyone to deal with if the LED tube ever breaks.
Fluorescent lighting is often made using glass, plastic, metal, and mercury. Mercury is hazardous and can be incredibly dangerous to anyone in the area if a fluorescent light tube ever broke. Since most fluorescent tube lights are made out of glass, they have a higher chance of breaking than LED lights.
Longevity
Fluorescent tube lights have an average lifespan of 3-5 years before they require a replacement. When fluorescent lights begin to die, they blacken and begin to visibly flicker, which can lead to headaches and eyestrains. If certain parts of the tube fail, the entire light will fail.
LED lights can last over 70,000 hours. These types of lights can last over 10 years, paying themselves off in the long run. This means an LED tube light can potentially last three times as long as a fluorescent light.
Energy Efficiency
LED lights can help you save money on your energy bill! Some types of LED lights can transmit 130 lumens per watt, which is strong lighting for such a low wattage. The average company will spend 17% of its budget on electrical consumption. This is why energy efficiency is so important!
Fluorescent lights can usually only transmit 50-100 lumens per watt. This is because most of the energy that is produced by fluorescent lights are transformed into heat instead of light. LED tubes remain cool which increases the efficiency of the light.
Recyclability
Recycling fluorescent lights can be an entire process. You should never place fluorescent light tubes into the trash or recycle bin because they are made out of toxic and potentially harmful materials. In order to properly dispose of these lights, you need to contact a specialized company that can add up every 3-5 years.
LED lights are much easier to dispose of. All you need to do is disassemble the tube and drop off the aluminum and plastic at a recycling center and the electrical components at a computer or e-cycling center. Many LED companies allow you to send the tubes back to them to ensure they are properly recycled.
Color
LED lights closely resemble natural sunlight. This is because all spectrums of color are represented in LED chips. This type of lighting can help improve your focus, productivity, and overall health and wellness.
Meanwhile, fluorescent lighting color wavelengths spike at blue, green and red. This means fluorescent lighting can’t replicate the smooth color transitions that natural sunlight produces.
LED One Has Your LED Needs Covered
If you’re ready to make the switch from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting, our team at LED One is here to help. We offer a wide range of LED lighting products. We look forward to helping make you more energy efficient. Please contact us with any questions.