When it comes to energy efficient lighting, it can be hard to know which option is best. Advances in technology are making LED lamps comparable to similar energy efficient bulbs, but how do they really match up? Can the technological advances in High Lumen LEDs compare to the tried and true High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs?
Let’s Compare: HIDs
HID bulbs replace the filament in a traditional bulb with a capsule of gas, which works to facilitate the initial strike of the arc within the bulb. Because of this process, HIDs only produce about 5 percent of their output when first ignited. You’ll have to wait another 15 or 20 seconds before it’s able to reach its full output. This little bit of wait time may sound like a hassle but the payoff comes in the level of brightness these bulbs can deliver. While advances in LED technology are making higher lumen output possible, there is still no matching the output delivered by HID lamps. On the flipside, these bulbs, though energy efficient in their own right, don’t match the standard set by the LED.
How High Lumen LEDs Stack Up
High Lumen LEDs, in comparison to the HIDs, require no wait time for startup, making them ideal for applications that are subject to frequent on-off cycling. Unlike HIDs, high lumen LEDs are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. In short, they’re more energy efficient and have a lifespan of many thousands of hours. As much as we all want to make the most energy efficient choice, there’s no denying the financial factor. It’s true; the ticket price for LEDs exceeds that of for the HIDs. And while initial investment for HIDs is much lower, the energy savings and long lifespan of LEDs pays off for the slightly higher cost upfront. HID bulbs often suffer from an issue of trapped light, causing losses in lumens. Because of the advances in design of LEDs, there are no losses from trapped light, allowing the bulbs to shine at their greatest potential.
When shopping for energy efficient light bulbs, it’s important to know the facts. While HIDs offer a lower cost but higher level of brightness, high lumen LEDs deliver a longer lifespan and a more energy efficient design. So if saving money and energy are at the top of your wish list, high lumen LEDs may just be the fit for you.