LED History (4) - Lumens and laws

Lumens per watt is a very important fact in LED lighting. Its capability of LED lighting continues to improve at a significant pace. A 60-watt incandescent lamps puts out 800 lumens, while, as an example, the Janus LED downlight, producing the same lumens, uses only 12.5 watts. Manufacturers agree that in 2001, the best LED source put out 18 lumens, and today, this exceeds 100 lumens.

“There are over 400 million 60-watt bulbs sold in this country every year,” Philips’ Landau said. “Swapping out existing incandescent or halogen bulbs for LED lamps makes a lot of sense, even if there is a price differential. Just consider that savings of 47.5 watts per bulb, which goes straight to the user’s bottom line and will have a positive impact on the energy profile of the country.”

Technology takes its own good time in evolving and in winning acceptance. The LED—once only a gleam in Captain Round’s eye, and a ticket out of working on the railroad for Dr. Nick Holonyak—stands a pretty good chance of being the primary lighting source of the 21st century.

Energy and cost savings may be an attractive carrot, but there is also a big legislative stick.

Both in the United States and Europe, regulations are either in place or being enacted that will effectively eliminate the incandescent lamp within the next few years, and may eventually affect CFLs because of their lead and mercury content and the costs related to their proper disposal.

“Any time there is a recycle mandate or a disposal charge, that strengthens the rationale for LED lamps,” GE’s Briggs said. “As this legislation continues to take shape, consumers will seek alternatives to incandescents, with many migrating to CFLs and halogen. But a good portion will go directly to LED.”