Over the course of the Bounce Energy LED Lighting Series, we’ve shared the basics of what makes LED lighting energy efficient and financially sensible, as well as how to implement LED lighting into your own backyard. We’ve also given you tips on how you can bring LED light into your kitchen, dining room, and living room, too. In this final installment, we’re taking a look at how LED lighting is transforming the face of our cities.
As cities look for ways to curtail spending, LED lighting is the most cost effective and environmentally conscious option, falling in sync with many cities looking to “go green.” Venturing beyond your backyard, let’s take a look at how LED lighting has made its way into urban design, changing the way you’re traversing your own city at night – and how it’s changing the way we see, literally.
Streets and Walkways
Major cities across the nation have invested in switching out their current high-pressure sodium street lights to LED lighting. While this is a costly upfront endeavor, the long term benefit is a no-brainer.
Houston is one of the country’s largest cities that has committed to converting more than 165,000 streetlights to LED lights. As a result, electricity costs will be slashed in half, and light pollution will be significantly reduced.
But put the city budget savings aside. The switch to LED means streets and walkways are lit much brighter, providing a higher level of security for citizens, especially those whose means of transportation are foot. The life expectancy of an LED light bulb is far greater than any other option on the market, and this means streetlights won’t burn out as quickly as before. Light levels will remain constant, shining a light on crime more so than previously.
Architecture
Due to the small size of LEDs, they provide architects with solutions to illuminate buildings and structures in ways not previously possible. Colored LEDs and controllable color changing also add to the effect by helping architecture take on a life of its own in the night. When a city building or landmark structure suddenly transforms into another color, you’re looking at LED lighting.
Stadiums and Venues
Public venues operate year-round and require constant maintenance to the systems on site. Upgrading existing facilities with LED lighting, or building new with an LED lighting system, can significantly reduce some of the maintenance burden. LED lights have an extremely long life span, unlike current lighting technology which requires yearly lamp changing.
Another game changer with LED lights is the quality of light projected onto the playing field, making those stadiums who have converted to LED some of the best lit stadiums in the country. Its clear white light illuminates the ice in a hockey rink beautifully, making for a better in-house viewing experience. Plus, LED’s don’t need to warm up like metal halide lights and turn on immediately. A spokeswoman for ESPN has also said that because LED lights don’t flicker, viewers at home won’t be distracted by flashing while watching slow-motion replays.
Airports
Airports spend thousands of dollars each year on both maintenance and electricity costs to light up their runways, parking garages and airport facilities, so it’s no wonder they are converting to LED lighting.
Not only does the brightness of LEDs increase the quality of surveillance and security camera footage, it also has the ability to target specific areas the airport needs lit, reducing light pollution where it’s not needed. Passengers are now arriving into new cities with brighter lighting, feeling safer than ever before.
Airstrip lighting is also being upgraded to LED lights, making air strips more energy efficient than in the past.
As we close out this series on LED lighting, how will you move forward by implementing this cost saving and energy efficient lighting in to your life?
