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Many cities have opted to replace their old street lights with LEDs. These pole-mounted fixtures pour down a cool torrent of lumens and last twice as long as their sodium-vapor counterparts.
They’re also far more energy efficient, reducing electricity costs and lowering kilowatt usage. That makes them attractive to municipalities seeking to cut down on operation and relamping costs.
Energy Savings
The energy savings offered by LED street lights are a major selling point for municipalities and utilities that strive to cut operational costs. Compared to high pressure sodium (HPS) lights, LED street lights consume up to 15 times less energy and produce more light per watt.
This reduces electricity consumption, which in turn cuts down on costly utility rates and greenhouse gas emissions. Some municipalities offer rebates or grants to help pay for the cost of converting to LED street lights.
The improved distribution of light emitted by LED street lights also benefits the environment and safety. Dimming can reduce the harmful light pollution that affects nesting sea turtles, migrating birds and coral reefs. Shields also direct light downward, preventing skyglow and making the night sky more visible to wildlife. Amber-colored LED street lights are also friendlier for birds and turtles, who may be harmed by excessive blue light. They also ease glare in drivers or pedestrians’ eyes and are better for the eye health of everyone.
Longer Lifespan
The durability of LED street lights is another significant benefit. They are designed to withstand harsh conditions and are not susceptible to the same breakage issues as traditional bulbs.
Moreover, they don’t produce as much heat, which prevents the spread of germs and bugs. The longer lifespan also means fewer repairs and replacements, which will save time and money.
Additionally, LED street lights have a greater heat tolerance than HIDs, which makes them an ideal choice for desert roadway lighting. The low heat generation can also help reduce the negative effects of light pollution on the night sky.
Cities can realize significant savings by converting existing high-pressure sodium streetlights to LED technology. In some cities, streetlight electricity and maintenance costs consume as much as 5% of municipal budgets. By implementing efficient LEDs, these municipalities can redirect those resources to other needed services. To see how you can save with a LED street light conversion, contact us to request a free, no-pressure Preliminary Assessment.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
As mentioned, street lights can cost a lot to run, but LEDs can significantly reduce that figure. Their lowered electricity costs help city budgets that can struggle to meet their expenses and maintain public services.
This is especially important in cities that rely on high-cost coal and oil. The lowered maintenance costs can also benefit the environment. The less energy consumed by street lights means lower carbon emissions and a safer planet.
Compared with the original HID street light, LEDs have much lower power consumption and can save up to 30% of their power. This is because they use a smaller copper wire area and have more efficient power conversion.
Typically, the PCBs that drive LEDs are metal core boards (MCPCB). This type of board features a metallized epoxy dielectric layer sandwiched between two layers of copper. The dielectric layer helps ensure thermal conduction and electrical isolation between the two circuit layers. The MCPCB is also resistant to vibrations and impacts that can be associated with street lights.
Less Toxic
Many cities are using LED street lights to save energy, reduce maintenance costs and prevent light trespass. They are also more efficient than high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps and produce fewer greenhouse gases. These lamps are also safer for the environment as they contain no mercury, which is toxic to people and wildlife.
However, some cities are ignoring health concerns about the bright blue light of white LED street lights. These lights are similar to the lighting used on TVs and computers, which have been shown to suppress melatonin production. This can disrupt circadian rhythms, lead to insomnia, and contribute to depression and other mental illnesses.
The International Dark-Sky Association recommends that LED street lights have a CCT of 3,000K or less to limit their effect on people and nocturnal wildlife. Other measures include dimmers that can turn down brightness, shields that direct the light downward and prevent sky glow, and amber-colored bulbs that limit exposure to the harmful blue light.
