Within the past few years, consumers have been hearing more and more about the benefits of LED lighting. One of the big selling points is that LED lights are cool to the touch. Immediately, the next question is usually, Do LED lights produce heat? This is pertinent for a couple of very good reasons which involve both the handling of lights that have recently been on along with the amount of energy heat-producing lamps are known to consume.
Demystifying Cool to the Touch
Are they really cool to the touch or do LED lights produce heat? LED Light bulbs do produce heat, but not enough to make the light bulb become hot in the same way other light bulbs do. When people say that LED lights do not give off heat, what they are really trying to say is that they do not radiate infrared or UV light. Of the heat that is produced by LED lights, only about 20% is transformed into light which results in a lamp that is cool to the touch at all times, and can even be housed in a plastic casing.
Less Heat = Less Energy Consumption
Lighting a house exclusively with incandescent bulbs can account for 25% to 50% of the total energy a household utilizes every month. That is a lot of energy which costs significant amount of money. Because LED lights produce less heat, it is estimated that they utilize 80% less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs. When seeking an answer to Do LED lights produce heat, it is quite possible consumers are looking at how much money they will save on their electric bills.
CFL Bulbs and Heat
Not only do CFL bulbs give off a significantly higher amount of heat than is emitted from LED lights, but they also contain highly toxic metals such as mercury. While a person can touch a CFL bulb that has been lit for sometime without pulling back abruptly or being burned, they do become hot enough to cause discomfort. LED lights will remain cool to the touch because the tiny amount of heat that is emitted during the production of light is so miniscule that it cannot affect the temperature of the casing. LED lights are preferable to compact fluorescent lights for two very good reasons. They dont emit high levels of heat and they dont contain toxic chemicals.
In the end, the answer to the question Do LED lights produce heat? is quite simply, A little bit. They do not produce enough heat to be a fire hazard or to cause a burn, but they do release heat in the process of producing light. The difference is, the heat is released, not contained. Greater numbers of households are transitioning to LED lighting so it is good to know that they can be purchased online in bulk, and at reduced prices. When added to the savings in electricity bills, significantly lower costs in purchasing LED lamps will be an added incentive to make the switch now.
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