The choice of a LED product is guided by watching specifications tables. Here is one table accompanied by the explanation of the features. The result should be a good lighting solution that is leaving a green ecological footprint. A good lighting solution is emitting enough light that the tasks in space can be conducted properly. First the lumens of the fixture (responsible for brightness in the room), the CRI (how good is the lighting concept representing colors), color temperature (how is the ambience in the room) and lumen per watt (efficiency of the system) are recommended to be watched. These criteria are responsible for a good lighting quality and energy efficient solution.

The other features are necessary information too. They serve further details about the fixture, the setup and maintenance of the lighting system.

(1) Type: The products name is a detail for purchasing the fixture

(2) Wattage: Defines the energy consumption of the fixture, which is important for the electrician and the ecological footprint of the system (referring to Lumens per Watts)

(3) CRI: Important character in areas where colors should be truly represented. For applications where people are involved, a CRI lower than 70 is not recommended. In shopping areas a CRI of 90 and higher is applicable.

(4) Lumens: responsible for the brightness in a room. The more lumens, the brighter the fixture is illuminating the space.

(5) Lumen per Watt: Efficiency of the lighting system. The higher the lm/W the better the ecological footprint of the product.

(6) Lumen Maintenance: how fast LEDs lose their brightness compared to new products (most manufacturers refer to the time when most of the LEDs reach 70% and less of the initial lumen output)

(7) Color Temperature: defines the mood or ambience in a room. Low quality lighting fixtures mostly have a very cool color temperature as these LEDs are more efficient than warm white LED products. A color temperature higher than 6000K is not recommended for a lot of areas.

(8) Beam Angle: the light is radiated into the indicated beam angle. LEDs are direct light sources with typical beam angles of 120° till 180°.

(9) Life Hours: defines the lifetime of a LED product. LEDs last 50,000h up to 100,000h.

(10) Replaces: a helpful information for replacing conventional light sources

(11) Working Voltage: high quality LED products have an integrated driver, Retrofit Solutions are delivered with the suitable ballast already.

(12) Frequency: detail about the admitted voltage frequency

(13) Power Factor: Efficiency of the ballast

(14) THD: Total harmonic distortion is describing the distortion caused by ballasts and other inductive loads of the input current on alternating current (AC) power systems

(15) Operating Temperature: The light source is operating under the mentioned conditions according to the manufacturer datasheet, other temperatures will cause the light source to fail or work not properly (e.g. light loss, different color temperature)

(16) IP Rating: the protection of the light source, ballast and wiring against liquids and solid objects

(17) Dimmable: dimming is the change in light source brightness, mostly undertaken by smart controls

(18) Dimensions: the fixture’s size, important for the definition of the mounting position and space

(19) Net Weight: the fixture’s weight, important for the mounting construction, e.g.ceiling strongness needs to be considered

(20) Housing: the housing is the surrounding of the light source and ballast, the higher the IP rating, the better the protection against liquids and solid objects which is important in car washes for example, the coating is important in swimming halls where the luminaires are exposed to chloride and humid conditions

(21) Mounting: possible mounting ways like pendant, surface or hock mount

(22) Warranty: how long after purchasing, the products are ensured working properly

LEED) is a program that offers certifications for green buildings. The third-party verification program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a means for healthier, sustainable, environmentally friendly, more efficient, buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. In a nutshell, LEED supplies the guidelines for creating a green building. Using individual points-based rating systems that differ by project type, building projects can achieve Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum statuses. Project types can include new building design and construction, building operations and maintenance, interior design and construction, homes, and neighborhood development. For each project type, LEED has a list of credits with specific requirements regarding anything from building materials to bicycle storage. Points are awarded based on the degree to which the requirements are met. There are several credits that include LED lighting is the first choice of any builder trying to achieve an LEED status.

The following LEED credits relate to lighting for new construction:

full-cutoff LED wall packs that are designed to reduce glare by emitting illumination downward instead of outward. Many indoor and outdoor LED lights come with or can be used with dusk-to-dawn or PIR motion sensors to prevent wasted light.

A19 bulbs to powerful EAp2 – Minimum Energy Performance

Buildings must meet a minimum level of energy efficiency to receive points for this credit. The goal is to minimize environmental and economic problems that can be caused by high energy use. As mentioned above, LED lights are extremely efficient and can dramatically reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

dimmable under-hutch LED strip lights with handheld remotes and bulbs, or other dimmers.

SFGATE, “The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns that, given the current trends, energy-related emissions will increase by 70 percent by 2050. This can accelerate the negative consequences of climate change, including higher temperatures and a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events.” Lessening energy consumption with LED lights and renewable energy sources will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent that prediction.

website, the USGBC states that 92.2 percent of 7,100 LEED-certified new construction projects are improving energy performance by at least 10.5 percent. In addition to other methods of energy improvements, lighting plays a key role. One building can have hundreds of lights. Using LED lights will not only help achieve an LEED status, but they will also contribute to a greener future.

As a business owner, it is important to reduce your energy emissions as much as possible. You can easily make a conscious effort to do this by reducing packaging, using sleep mode on all your electronic devices and shutting down everything at the end of the business day. Another good way to reduce your emissions and your electricity bills is to use LED fixtures in your buildings, offices, and even parking lots.

Here’s how businesses around the world are taking a step towards reducing their environmental impact using commercial LED lighting.

There are a number of reasons why LED lights make a better choice for the environment and sustainability. The lifespan of a LED bulb is up to 80,000 hours, whilst halogen bulbs are only estimated to last between 2000-6000 hours. The bulbs also gradually lose lumen output at a rate which is almost undetectable to the human eye, in comparison to a metal halide or halogen bulb which fluorescent strip lights to LED tubes, the first thing they will notice is that there is no waste disposal required. Due to the chemicals in fluorescent lights, waste disposal or Light Supplier in the UK. Leila is a Public Relations graduate from Sheffield Hallam University.