This LED lighting design article will highlight the main differences and myths surrounding various lighting technologies. More specifically, the technologies used in museums, retail, and office environments. Let’s take a closer look.

Let’s start with LEDs as they are the relatively new boy on the block and, in my view, the way forward for most new lighting design installations.

Recently, I have read several articles by other lighting design experts on this subject. Nonetheless, I believe most of the claims made in these articles are a little, or sometimes a lot, exaggerated about the tremendous energy and cost-saving qualities of LEDs. Moreover, I believe there are particular energy and cost savings when using LEDs in a lighting design. However, it is challenging to put an exact figure on precisely what those savings might be. Moreover, you might also make energy savings, but how long will it take to recoup your initial outlay? Another question to consider is: at what cost to the quality of light?

Overall, some energy and cost-saving claims are undoubtedly manipulated or exaggerated, so organisations or property developers abandon their present systems and invest in these expensive lighting technologies. For example, if we use what the manufacturers claim is the same amount of light output to replace a typical T8, 1800mm, 70-watt fluorescent tube costing between £3.50 and £4.00 with a 22-watt LED tube costing between £75 and £95, the difference in outlay is significant.

Yes, you can bring loads of things into the equation. For example, the amount of time it takes to replace a lamp and how many additional fluorescent tubes you may require. Whatever factors you bring into the equations, it’s not going to be an overnight solution. I guess it would help to do the mathematics if you knew exactly how long the LEDs would last. However, no one can tell you that. Moreover, there are claims of 30,000 to 50,000 hours that are more than 10 to 20 years when you apply a rough guideline of use. But do they?

In a nutshell, the energy issue and cost depend on what value you apply to the convenience factor. For me, this is where LEDs start to shine (pardon the pun).

Considering the LEDs live up to their claimed lifespan, you can simply install and focus them. Consequently, they sit back and forget them for every year that passes. You know that eventually, you will have money in your pocket while helping to cut your carbon footprint. Unfortunately, I can’t inform you accurately how long that will take, and I do not think anyone else can either. I will let you do the math on how long it takes to recover this initial outlay.

LED lighting design: the advantages vs disadvantages

LED lighting design: disadvantages

LEDs used singularly run fairly cool, just warm to the skin. However, multiple LEDs together run at full power and start to generate unwanted amounts of heat, which requires to be dealt with. This is especially so if used in a confined or sealed environment, like a museum showcase.
There is less choice of fittings, although the gap is narrowing as manufacturers rush to fill the lighting void.
Colour temperature (purple-blue tints compared to halogen).
Rendering
To keep continuity across the range, LEDs need to be from the same batch when ordering.
It’s not suitable for lighting all objects or paintings, especially if they have a high orange or red content.

LED lighting design: advantages

Lower energy consumption.
Long lamp hours reduce maintenance and the need to re-focus light fixtures.
Light emitted contains low infrared levels and no ultraviolet.
Size; enabling lighting of objects and areas where previously it wasn’t possible.
Newer and better versions are being developed all the time. It’s a bit like the revolution in wide-screen TVs; the more lighting designers buy into LED, the better lighting equipment will follow.

Good Lighting Design

In our opinion, there is simply no substitute for the knowledge, expertise, and experience of a good lighting designer.

When selecting a lighting designer, it’s essential to check if they are independent lighting design consultants. It’s also crucial to ensure they aren’t affiliated with any lighting manufacturer. This helps your lighting design consultant provide unbiased and unambiguous recommendations on what lighting solutions might best suit your needs.

If you want a lighting option that offers the best quality, but can handle the extra maintenance, high energy usage, and the need for frequent refocusing, then halogen is the way to go. However, if any of these factors are a concern and your current system is already struggling, then LED lighting design is probably your best bet. You could also choose to use a combination of different technologies to achieve your lighting goals.