Are our LED string lights brighter than incandescent lights, or are they the same?

In the world, there are a lot of great debates going on at all times. Outdoor string lights aren't just a question of LED bulbs vs. incandescent bulbs. This is a considerable debate. Are our LED string lights brighter than incandescent lights, or are they the same? Here, we'll compare these two lights and decide which one is best.

In what way is an Incandescent Light different from other types of light?

The incandescent light is the bulb that you have in your home. It makes light by heating a wire filament to produce light. There is a translucent glass bulb around the metal wire. It is either filled with inert gas or empty (a vacuum).

What is the reason for Choose Incandescent Bulbs?

Light bulbs were just light bulbs not that long ago. When it came to the wattage of the bulb, there was no other option. Technology hadn't changed in more than 100 years. Because incandescent bulbs were so popular for so long, there were a few main reasons for that. the cost and the color

People buy incandescent lights because they are cheaper than other types of lights. It doesn't matter that the price of LED bulbs is going down quickly because incandescent bulbs have a lower up-front cost, which keeps them more popular.

People didn't think about the color of lighting a few years ago, but now that there are so many different types of string lights, people see cool white lights, warm white lights, daylight lights, and many other colors. On the other hand, traditional incandescent bulbs are the ones that have the warm glow that most people think of when they think of lighting in their homes. People still buy them because they have a sense of tradition or nostalgia.

What are the Primary Shortcomings of Incandescent Lights?

Among incandescent lighting's shortcomings are the following:

1. Incandescent bulbs have the lowest energy efficiency rating available. Incandescent bulbs have an efficiency rating of approximately 10 lumens per watt. Regrettably, most of the energy they consume (90 percent) is used to generate heat.
2. Incandescent bulbs have the shortest lifespan available. The average bulb operates for approximately 1,200 hours. This means that, while incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, you'll need a large quantity of them (50-100) to match the lifespan of a single LED. In aggregate, this results in high maintenance costs.

Which Incandescent Lights Have Minor Defects?

Several minor flaws in incandescent lighting include the following:

 Incandescent lights are omnidirectional in their illumination. Omnidirectional lights emit light in all directions. This is a significant system inefficiency, as at least half of the light must be reflected and redirected to the illuminated area. Due to the requirement for light reflection and redirection, the output of omnidirectional lights is significantly less efficient than it would be if the light were directional by nature.

Where are Incandescent Lights Used Frequently?

Incandescent lighting is frequently used in residential and interior lighting applications. Due to its short lifespan and low energy efficiency is typically not used in outdoor environments or large organizations.

LEDs

LED stands for the light-emitting diode. With two electrodes (an anode and one cathode), current flows in only one direction through a diode (in through the anode and out through the cathode). Diodes are typically made of semi-conductive materials like silicon or selenium, which conduct electricity in some conditions but not others (e.g., at specific voltages, current levels, or light intensities). A recent passing through a semiconductor material emits visible light. It is not a photovoltaic cell (a device that converts the visible light into electrical current).

What is the primary reason for using LED bulbs?

You're seeing more and more LED lighting options because they're better than traditional lighting options. LED light bulbs have risen to prominence in recent years as the next big thing in the lighting industry. It is anticipated that they will be in use for an extended period. While more expensive to begin with, they have some advantages, and as prices continue to fall, they are quickly becoming the most popular and preferred choice for a growing number of individuals worldwide.

If you'd like to see this in action, the S14 bulb shape is one of our most popular and is available in a variety of different styles and colors. 11S14 bulbs are among the types available (incandescent). Looking at the graph above, it is clear that LED bulbs outperform incandescent bulbs on nearly every level.

Another advantage of LED bulbs is that they consume significantly less energy. This illustrates how string lights can be replaced with LED bulbs in various situations. It is possible to replace a 25-watt incandescent bulb with a 1- to a 2-watt compact fluorescent bulb. Lower wattage means less energy consumption, which means less money spent on electricity, which is especially important when there are many bulbs in a room.

Even though LED bulbs are more expensive to purchase initially, they are less costly in the long run than incandescent bulbs. This is because they consume less electricity and last for a longer time. It will only take a few years for the use of LED bulbs to pay for themselves. They have a significantly longer life span and consume substantially less electricity than standard bulbs.

This is particularly advantageous for string lights and other light installations subjected to the elements. An LED light consists of a small chip enclosed in an epoxy resin instead of a tiny metal filament enclosed in glass. Because LEDs do not contain the same delicate components as other lights, they can withstand vibration, shock, and temperature changes much better than other lights. Many LED lights are also made of plastic rather than glass, which significantly increases their durability.

People and the environment are intertwined. Safety and environmental benefits are two additional factors that contribute to its improvement. LED bulbs emit the majority of their energy in light, whereas incandescent bulbs emit the majority of their energy in the form of heat. As a result, LED bulbs consume less power while maintaining the same brightness. The LED bulbs are kept at a comfortable temperature to the touch. Aside from that, LEDs are made of non-hazardous materials and do not contain any mercury or other potentially hazardous chemicals. Then, when the time comes to get rid of them, which will be a long time from now, they will not require any additional care.

LED bulbs have one additional advantage over incandescent bulbs: they are available in various colors. This is the polar opposite of one of the benefits of incandescent bulbs, which is their brightness. LEDs are made of semiconductors and the color of the LED can be changed by changing the semiconductors in the chip that contains the LED. Because LEDs can be made to produce a wide range of colors, they can be used to mimic the appearance of incandescent lights. However, they can also have white light, which many people find appealing.

What are the Minor Advantages of LED Lighting?

Along with the significant benefits, LED lights have some minor advantages. Among them are the following:

Accessory lamps: LEDs require significantly fewer accessory lamp components.

Color: LEDs can be designed to produce the full range of visible light colors without using color filters as required by conventional lighting solutions.

Directional: By their very nature, LEDs are directional (they emit light for 180 degrees by default).

Size: LEDs can be significantly smaller than other types of lighting (even incandescent).

LEDs have a faster warm-up time (no warm-up or cool-down period).

What Are the Disadvantages of LED Lighting?

Given the benefits, you may believe that LED lights are a no-brainer. While this is becoming increasingly true, there are still a few trade-offs to be made when choosing LED:

LED lights, in particular, are relatively expensive. The initial costs of an LED lighting project are typically higher than those of most other options. This is by far the most significant disadvantage to consider. The cost of LEDs is rapidly declining, and as they continue to be widely adopted, the price will continue to fall.

Our value engineering service can assist if you've received a costly proposal for LED lights (or require a recommendation).

Where is LED Frequently Used?

The first practical application of LEDs was in computer circuit boards. Since then, their applications have gradually expanded to include traffic signals, illuminated signs, and, more recently, indoor and outdoor lighting. LED lighting is an excellent choice for gymnasiums, warehouses, schools, and commercial structures. Additionally, they are adaptable to large public areas (which require powerful, efficient lighting spread across a large extent), road lighting (which offers significant color advantages over low- and high-pressure sodium lights), and parking lots.

Conclusion

It's relatively evident that LED lighting is the way of the future, whether we're talking about standard home lighting or outdoor string lights, mini lights, or other LED decorative lighting. While incandescent string lights remain an affordable option, consumers should also consider LED bulb options. With various bulb shapes, colors, and styles to choose from, along with the numerous benefits listed above, LED string lights are the ideal solution for all of your outdoor lighting needs.

References

Incandescent vs. LED - Professional lighting - Utah - Brite nites. (2019, September 24). Brite Nites. https://www.britenites.com/incandescent-vs-led/

LED vs. incandescent resource guide | PartyLights. (n.d.). PartyLights.com. https://partylights.com/led-vs-incandescent-guide

Lighting comparison: LED vs incandescent lighting. (2016, April 21). LED Lighting Distributor and Implementation Company. https://www.stouchlighting.com/blog/light-comparison-led-lighting-vs-incandescent-lighting