ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
“When choosing an LED lighting system, it is important to pay
attention to both years and hours listed on light warranties.”
Efficiency
Efficiency in lighting refers to the
ratio of light energy to heat energy
produced from a specific energy
input. All energy that goes into the
light source produces either light
energy or heat energy. How efficient a
light is depends on the percentage of
energy that comes out as light, as well
as the percentage that is heat.
The primary reason LEDs are so
popular is due to their high efficiency.
Many LED lights boast 50% less energy
use per mol of photons produced
compared to traditional HID. LEDs can
also deliver light in a specific wavelength.
This makes the majority of light
produced usable, where other lighting
types produce useless wavelengths
alongside the useful wavelengths.
Production of
useless wavelengths
consume energy
but do not result
in photosynthesis.
Less efficient
lights produce
more heat, and
high temperatures
reduce the
efficiency of
the light, and
its lifespan.
Form Factors
LED lights come
in three main
form factors:
fixtures, bars and
panels. Fixtures
are shaped like a
box and typically
offer high intensity
light. Fixtures
consume moderate
to high amounts
of power, take
up space, and
require higher
initial investment.
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Maximum Yield USA | June 2016
Fixtures are shaped like a box and typically
offer high intensity light. Fixtures consume
moderate to high amounts of power, take up
space, and require higher initial investment.
Bars come in a number of different lengths
and profiles, consume low to medium
amounts of power at low to medium
intensity, and use space efficiently.
Panels (shaped like a slender box) offer
low to medium intensity and use low or
medium amounts of power. This type of
lighting tends to be more expensive than
bars but offers better coverage.