Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta designs, installs, and services residential and commercial LED landscape lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. Quantum leaps in LED lighting technology are empowering lighting professionals to create amazing lighting projects for homeowners in Marietta, GA.
The incandescent bulb was first patented by Thomas Edison in 1879 and commercialized soon after, changing the lives of people in the industrialized world forever. The light bulb efficiently and inexpensively expanded the hours of productivity beyond the limits of natural daylight. Though incandescent bulbs convert 94% of energy into heat and only about 6% into light, the invention was still a viable alternative to candles, oil lamps, and gas lighting. The energy output of the incandescent light bulb is measured in watts, which is named after the Scottish inventor James Watt (1736-1819). Though his name is memorialized on billions of lightbulbs, Watt’s greatest contribution was his perfection of the steam engine in 1776, dramatically accelerating the expansion of the industrial revolution in Britain and the American colonies.
Philips, a leader in the lighting industry, introduced the first 60-watt equivalent LED light bulb in 2010, revolutionizing residential and commercial lighting around the world. LED bulb technology converts 80% of energy to light while generating much less heat. Philips released a 75-watt bulb in 2011.
Important definitions
Before going any further in the discussion, a few definitions are needed to avoid confusion.
What is a “watt?”
A “watt” is a measure of energy consumption. It describes the amount of energy a device needs to fulfill a task. For example, a 60-watt incandescent light bulb needs a continuous flow of 60 watts of energy to produce the light brightness (lumens) advertised on the package and on the top of the bulb, which is about 800 lumens.
What is a “lumen?”
A lumen is a measure of light output or brightness. In practical terms, a lumen is the amount of light produced by a birthday candle at a distance of one foot. A watt is a measure of energy consumption, but a lumen is a measure of light output or brightness. A 60-watt incandescent light bulb requires 60 watts (units) of energy to produce a brightness of 800 lumens. In contrast, an LED light bulb that produces 800 lumens uses about 9 watts of energy or 85% less energy than the 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Comparison: traditional incandescent wattages to lumens to LED wattages
This raw comparison of traditional incandescent energy consumption (watts) to LED energy consumption (watts) to achieve the same lumens is illuminating. LED lights consume one-sixth the energy of their incandescent counterparts. Traditional halogen landscape lighting is almost as energy-hungry as incandescent lighting.
- Incandescent 40 watts = 450 lumens = LED: 6 watts
- Incandescent 60 watts = 800 lumens = LED: 9 watts
- Incandescent 75 watts = 1100 lumens = LED: 12 watts
- Incandescent 100 watts = 1600 lumens = LED: 17 watts
- Incandescent 150 watts = 2600 lumens = LED: 27 watts
- Incandescent 200 watts = 3000 lumens = LED: 32 watts
On the practical level, if a lamp or lighting fixture previously used a 60-watt incandescent bulb, look for a 730 to 750 lumen LED bulb. (Packaging still includes statements such as “equivalent to a 60-watt bulb.”)
Types of lighting fixtures
LED low-voltage landscape lighting professionals have a wide array of lighting fixtures at their disposal. Landscape lighting is not a “one-size-fits-all” effort.
- Spotlights and accent lights
- Path lights
- In-ground and in-grade well lights
- Flood lights
- Downlights
- Deck lights
- Step lights
- Hardscape lights
- Underwater lights
- Specialty lights
Each fixture has an intentional application that allows the designer to create elegant visuals that enhance the beauty of the home or business while making it more functional, safe, and secure.
Why choose Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta
The shift to LED from traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs is energy-efficient and cost-effective. The bulbs use much less energy and last 25,000 to 40,000 hours. Unlike filament lighting technologies, LED bulbs are durable and shock-resistant. LED fixtures are safe. They convert more energy to light and burn at a significantly lower temperature, making the fixture safe for pets and humans and less of a fire hazard. However, the transition to LED bulbs can be tricky. Make the switch now. Energy costs are rocketing out of sight. Avoid damaging fixtures. Avoid installing bulbs with the wrong lumens for the application.
Contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta for more information about landscape lighting installation. The office can be reached by phone at (678) 616-9166 or by email at [email protected].