The Advantages of T8 LED Bulbs

 Great strides have been made in residential and commercial lighting since Thomas Edison introduced the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb to the world in the late 1800s. The more energy efficient fluorescent tube lighting gained a strong foothold for commercial applications during the 20th century, and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) have become popular in the residential market during the 21st century. The more recently developed light emitting diode (LED), including the T8 LED, have advantages over both incandescent and fluorescent lighting.

Energy Savings

T8 LED lights use approximately half the energy of a comparably rated fluorescent light based upon light output, according to Green-Buildings.com. Different brands and different manufacturers may deliver different energy consumption results. GlacialTech’s GlacialLight brand claims to use fewer than 10 watts of power for each two feet of LED tube. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, lighting accounted for approximately 26 percent of the energy used in an average home in 2005. Consumers who switch from their current lighting options to T8 LED bulbs could experience a total monthly energy consumption savings of more than 13 percent.

Nontoxic

Fluorescent light tubes, including compact fluorescent lights, are coated on the inside of the enclosed tube with a phosphorous material. The tube is filled with a small amount of mercury vapor at low pressure. When electricity is introduced, the mercury gas produces ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light reacts with the phosphorous coating to produce white light that is useful for human environments. Fluorescent lighting is much more energy efficient than incandescent lighting, but the mercury contained in the fluorescent tube is a known toxin that can be released into the environment if the tube is broken. T8 LED bulbs do not contain mercury or any other toxic substance that can harm the environment.

Safety, Convenience, Longevity

Most of the energy required to power a conventional incandescent bulb is lost to heat. T8 LEDs produce light without producing heat, making them much more efficient and safer, because there is no risk of burns. T8 LEDs utilize the same structure as a T8 fluorescent tube, and can be used in the same fixtures, although T8 LEDs have no need for a ballast like a conventional fluorescent tube. T8 LEDs have expected useful lifespans of up to 80,000 hours, approximately five times greater than conventional fluorescent tubes, according to LED Liquidators.