Green building is not a one-facet sector. While it is often characterized or stereotyped as being all about environmental considerations, there are a number of layers that inside the ‘green building’ bubble. These include environmentally sustainable design, carbon neutral building, passive design and energy efficiency.
While all of these facets have strong environmental foundations, energy efficiency is a little more shrewd than the rest. In some cases, energy efficiency has as much, if not more, of a monetary focus as it does an environmental one. This economic facet is certainly giving those sluggish to get on board with green building initiatives a much-needed incentive, with energy efficient products and technologies growing in relevance, especially in connection with the green interior design sector.
One key way in which these energy efficiencies are channeled is through lighting, with LED lighting in particular gaining traction.
The energy efficiency lighting changeover plan is a common government initiative in many countries including the US and Australia, and has encouraged a rise in energy efficient LED lights. With 30 per cent of the average household’s running costs eaten away by lighting costs, education about the money-saving qualities of efficient lighting alone is encouragement enough.
Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs are highly efficient ‘next generation’ lighting products that promise longevity, general robustness and lesser heat output. LED importer M-Elec provides statistics that truly show why these particular lighting products are so popular.
While LEDs are more expensive to buy and install up front, generally costing anywhere from $22 to $150, they have an annual maintenance cost of $0 and three-year running costs of $462, which compares to annual halogen lighting maintenance and three-year costs of $130 and $3,738 respectively.
In terms of their energy consumption and performance, M-Elec explain that LED’s output lumen at 960 – 1200 LM with a lifespan of 40,000 hours and an energy expenditure of 700KW per year, in comparison to the aforementioned halogens, which have a lumen output of 600 – 700 LM, lifespan of 2,000 – 5,000 hours and energy expenditure of 5,037KW per year.
The difference is drastic in terms of both energy and monetary savings.
LEDs are not perfect. They can be difficult to replace due to a fixed fit, can make it difficult to create scattered light, and expensive to install initially.
They are, however, a more efficient long-term lighting solution and a perfect example of a little product making a big difference. This is why they are so popular and will remain so.
