Why LEDs

There is a quiet revolution happening in our city and in cities across the globe. Municipalities with the support of both corporations and public institutions are taking the necessary steps to reducing energy consumption across the board. LEDs advanced energy-reducing Light Emitting Diode alternative leads the way for a brighter more efficient and versatile form of lighting.

Conventional incandescent bulbs are slowly being replaced by LEDs. This will be most evident during this year's holiday season, as the holiday lighting market introduces and showcases the impact this technology will have. This latest development in decorative lighting technology promises to change the way people decorate their homes, businesses, and even towns for many years to come. Less power consumption, longer product life, and durability without the hazards of excess heat build-up should make the holiday season brighter, safer, and ecologically sounder.

What are LEDs:

• LEDs are semiconductors that convert electricity into single wavelengths of light.
• They are tiny, produce virtually no heat and generate at least 50 per cent more light per watt than standard incandescent light sources.
• They also have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years and instead of suddenly burning out, gradually fade to darkness.
• These chips directly convert electricity to light without the use of a filament or glass bulb. Instead, the chips are encapsulated in solid plastic that can be made into a variety of shapes and sizes that are also unbreakable.
• LEDs are rapidly replacing light bulbs in a variety of cosmetic and more importantly high reliability applications including traffic lights, brake lights, and emergency exit signs. Basic differences between conventional light bulbs and LEDs are shown as follows:

LED
	Definition: A Light Emitting Diode is a semiconducting device that emits light when an electric current runs through it. It uses significantly less power, releases less heat, and lasts a lot longer than an incandescent light bulb.
Incandescent Light
	Definition: A bulb that uses the ohmic resistance in a conductor to produce light upon the passage of an electrical current through it. The conductor is usually in the form of a wire or filament.

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LED Applications and Benefits:

• A leading city-wide initiative helmed by Toronto Mayor David Miller; a multi-year plan to install LED lamps in the City's 2,000 traffic signal intersections, with the first $1 million phase ready to outfit 250 intersections this year.
• LEDs slash electricity use in traffic signals by up to 84%.
• LED lamps last years longer, eliminating the annual replacement of incandescent lamps.
• Moreover, the failure of one or more individual diodes does not cause the entire light system to go dark. This means greater safety for motorists and pedestrians and obviates the need for costly emergency replacement of burned-out lamps.

• With the winter season ahead of us, anyone experienced with Christmas light strings is familiar with burnout. Instead of consuming about 50 Watts per string of 100 (conventional mini-lights), LED lights use only a few Watts of power.
• The use of LED lights can contribute up to 80% - 90% in electricity savings, which quickly adds up.
• The little or no heat being produced makes for a much safer setup and longer time for enjoyment of one's ornaments and designs both inside and out of their home.

Switching from incandescent to LED lights will save energy and money.

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