Pittsburgh Commercial LED Light Fixtures Immerse Museums In Different Light
Urban planners are starting to see things in a different light. Outdoor public street lighting systems are replacing traditional incandescent street lights with new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting. More than two-thirds of all street lights in the United States are believed to be the customary electric street lights which use the high-pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide or mercury vapor in incandescent bulbs. The older lamps have been found to account for as much as 60% of a municipality's energy budget and, according to a 2011 Carnegie Mellon University study, roughly 40% of total energy consumption.
As gas discharge lamps, these bulbs require heat to generate light, which in turn requires a higher expenditure of energy. LEDs don't require heat to produce light as they are semiconductors, only needing an electric current. Looking to cut waste and expense, urban planners are welcoming the use of LEDs in a variety of urban lighting situations. LEDs for traffic and street lights are being implemented in cities in Nebraska, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Parking garages are also signing on, combining new sensor technology with LED solid-state lighting (SSL). In communities lacking a robust power grid, LEDs charged by solar power offer further benefits.
Early on, Pittsburgh made it clear that the city wanted to help move the LED revolution along. Over the last decade, the city has replaced over 10% of its 40,000 street lights with LED lights, in areas such as downtown, the South Side and Brighton Heights. Pittsburgh's Department of Public Works has stated that the changes are already saving $140,000 annually simply on maintenance costs, more than had been projected. Additionally, energy consumption has been halved.
These savings have led neighboring communities, like Edgeworth, to change their traditional traffic lights in the manner of LED lighting in Pittsburgh. The borough was able to save about 60% on energy costs following the move.
The borough next set its sights on converting the street lights to LEDs. As LED bulbs tend to cost between $200 to $300, compared to $50 to $100 traditional bulbs, the decision can be an expensive gamble. Looking to Pittsburgh as an example of expense, in replacing its 40,000 metal-halide lights, which would cost $9 million if nothing changed, with LEDs, Pittsburgh is estimated to spend $21 million. If the money can be raised to pay upfront costs, LEDs do tend to be advantageous in the long-term, thanks to their longer "life spans" and greater efficiency.
Some have raised concerns, despite the good reputation of LEDs, over their environmental impact. A University of Pittsburgh study has shown LEDs to have a greater negative impact on the environment in the stages of manufacturing and recycling but not use. Risk of environmental hazards during the production phase actually rates LEDs worse than other styles of lighting. They also are more difficult to recycle because of the raw materials used in building circuit boards which are used. It should be noted, however, that no mercury is used in LED bulbs, unlike more traditional bulbs. With all of the benefits tallied up, it is easy to see why urban planners are attracted to LED light fixtures.
Pittsburgh Commercial LED Lighting Fixtures Illuminating The Art Scene Commercial LED Lights Is Ready For Its Close-up