LED (light-emitting diodes) lighting has received quite a bit of press in the last few years. While we know that it is more energy efficient than most outdoor lighting technologies, its lifespan and how people perceive it has been in question. Well, not anymore.
Two and half years ago a global test of LEDs named LightSavers was started. It placed LED lamps in 12 of the world’s largest cities including New York, Sydney, London and Toronto. Its findings were released last month in the report “Lighting the Clean Revolution: The Rise of LED Street Lighting and What it Means for Cities.”
Key conclusions from the study include:
- Surveys in Kolkata, London, Sydney and Toronto indicated that between 68 and 90% of respondents supported citywide roll out. Benefits highlighted included improved safety and visibility.
- LED lighting trailed lifespan ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 hours indicating a high return on investment
- LED failure rate over 6,000 hours is around 1%
Residents of 12 cities said they prefer LED lighting over other commercial outdoor lighting, saying that it has better social and environment benefits. One business owner in India stated that the white LED lights make his business look better and more appealing to passersby resulting in an increase of sales.
As Mark Kenber of The Climate Group states: “This report clearly highlights that LEDs are ready to be scaled-up in towns and cities across the globe. We are now calling on governments to remove policy obstacles and enable a rapid transition to low carbon lighting…all new public lighting – both street lighting and in public buildings – should be LED by 2015.”
With LEDs saving 85% on lighting costs, switch lights out globally would mean millions of dollars saved every year. What do you think?