Light emitting diodes use considerably less power than halogen, and possibly are transformed down to 24 or 12 volts. Lumen output considerably lower, too.
LEDS as they are commonly found are little more than glow sticks. However, a new technology has recently been introduced and is available through outdoorlights.com
The new LEDs there emit light that meets the color and brightness desirable for outdoor applications. However, the LEDs are still pricey and not likely to become cheaper anytime soon (a large part of this has to do with the need to hand-sort LED bulbs for color’/quality). Of course, LEDs are expected to last about 20 years, so the price would definitley equalize over time (especially since you will be reducing your energy consumption). But, if you may not stay in the home long, you would not recoup your investment.
Halogen are very efficient and relatively inexpensive. A good choice. But, if you will stay in your home long enough, LEDs can provide the same quality at a lower price (but, then you have to factor in how much money you would make if you invested the additional outlay elsewhere…and it all gets very messy to decide on a cost basis). The good news is, either way, you can’t go wrong quality-wise as both will provide excellent light (if you get your LEDs through outdoorlights.com. There are nasty, old-technology LEDs out there that don’t provide anywhere near a good quality light).
Buyer beware with regards to outdoor LED lighting fixtures and LED replacement bulbs. While it’s a good bet to use LED’s for indoor applications, there are many confounding factors that should be considered before using them outdoors.
LED’s are very sensitive to moisture. They are mounted on electronic circuit boards. These boards are not waterproofed and can be easily shorted out, even in a sealed fixture, by condensation that results from changes in outdoor temperature.
LED’s are very sensitive to heat damage. An LED fixture baking in the hot sun, or an LED fixture not properly designed to dissipate heat, will have a greatly reduced life.
Poor quality LED’s may have premature failures (meaning they stop working completely) but the best quality LED’s just get dimmer and dimmer over time; also their color may gradually shift. LED life is usually defined as the time it takes for the brightness to reduce to 70% of its original brightness. The 70% level was picked because that’s when the brightness difference is obvious to the viewer. The question is "How will you know whether or not the brightness is diminishing too fast?" Say for example, that your LED light has been operating for a year (about 3,000 hrs) – it’s seem a little dimmer, but you’re not sure. After two years (about 6,000 hrs), you’re sure its mush dimmer, you guess that it must have reached the 70% level (supposed to happen at 50,000 hrs.) At this point can you return the fixture?
LED’s claims are often grossly exaggerated. Recent studies conducted by the US Dept. of Energy (Caliper program) show that many manufacturers overstate the lamp life and brightness. This is especially true of lower cost LED’s. When you see claims of any LED life over 35,000 hrs., you can be sure that the mfg. is overstating their claim. Keep in mind that all testing is done with the LED chip in a laboratory setting; the chip is not tested in the lighting fixture; the chip is not tested under likely conditions after installation; and the chip is only tested for 5,000 to 10,000 hrs – the results of that test are extrapolated to guess at the actual life.
LED’s are highly prone to electrical damage. Unless some expensive protection has been built into the fixture, power surges will fry an LED in instant.
There are many complaints among consumers trying to get warranties honored by online LED retailers.
In conclusion, I suggest you wait to implement LED’s for your outdoor lighting. The technology is too new and most of the current LED fixtures have been rushed to market with inadequate testing. In two to three years bright light LED’s for outdoors will be much more dependable and much cheaper. In the meantime, stick with low voltage outdoor lighting.
Light emitting diodes use considerably less power than halogen, and possibly are transformed down to 24 or 12 volts. Lumen output considerably lower, too.
LEDS as they are commonly found are little more than glow sticks. However, a new technology has recently been introduced and is available through outdoorlights.com
The new LEDs there emit light that meets the color and brightness desirable for outdoor applications. However, the LEDs are still pricey and not likely to become cheaper anytime soon (a large part of this has to do with the need to hand-sort LED bulbs for color’/quality). Of course, LEDs are expected to last about 20 years, so the price would definitley equalize over time (especially since you will be reducing your energy consumption). But, if you may not stay in the home long, you would not recoup your investment.
Halogen are very efficient and relatively inexpensive. A good choice. But, if you will stay in your home long enough, LEDs can provide the same quality at a lower price (but, then you have to factor in how much money you would make if you invested the additional outlay elsewhere…and it all gets very messy to decide on a cost basis). The good news is, either way, you can’t go wrong quality-wise as both will provide excellent light (if you get your LEDs through outdoorlights.com. There are nasty, old-technology LEDs out there that don’t provide anywhere near a good quality light).
Buyer beware with regards to outdoor LED lighting fixtures and LED replacement bulbs. While it’s a good bet to use LED’s for indoor applications, there are many confounding factors that should be considered before using them outdoors.
LED’s are very sensitive to moisture. They are mounted on electronic circuit boards. These boards are not waterproofed and can be easily shorted out, even in a sealed fixture, by condensation that results from changes in outdoor temperature.
LED’s are very sensitive to heat damage. An LED fixture baking in the hot sun, or an LED fixture not properly designed to dissipate heat, will have a greatly reduced life.
Poor quality LED’s may have premature failures (meaning they stop working completely) but the best quality LED’s just get dimmer and dimmer over time; also their color may gradually shift. LED life is usually defined as the time it takes for the brightness to reduce to 70% of its original brightness. The 70% level was picked because that’s when the brightness difference is obvious to the viewer. The question is "How will you know whether or not the brightness is diminishing too fast?" Say for example, that your LED light has been operating for a year (about 3,000 hrs) – it’s seem a little dimmer, but you’re not sure. After two years (about 6,000 hrs), you’re sure its mush dimmer, you guess that it must have reached the 70% level (supposed to happen at 50,000 hrs.) At this point can you return the fixture?
LED’s claims are often grossly exaggerated. Recent studies conducted by the US Dept. of Energy (Caliper program) show that many manufacturers overstate the lamp life and brightness. This is especially true of lower cost LED’s. When you see claims of any LED life over 35,000 hrs., you can be sure that the mfg. is overstating their claim. Keep in mind that all testing is done with the LED chip in a laboratory setting; the chip is not tested in the lighting fixture; the chip is not tested under likely conditions after installation; and the chip is only tested for 5,000 to 10,000 hrs – the results of that test are extrapolated to guess at the actual life.
LED’s are highly prone to electrical damage. Unless some expensive protection has been built into the fixture, power surges will fry an LED in instant.
There are many complaints among consumers trying to get warranties honored by online LED retailers.
In conclusion, I suggest you wait to implement LED’s for your outdoor lighting. The technology is too new and most of the current LED fixtures have been rushed to market with inadequate testing. In two to three years bright light LED’s for outdoors will be much more dependable and much cheaper. In the meantime, stick with low voltage outdoor lighting.