Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights have skyrocketed in popularity the past couple of years. These are great for multi-purpose applications as well as provide some unique benefits against incandescent or halogen lights. Before purchasing LED lights, read on for the 5 things the educated buyer should know!
1. LED Lights may be pricier, but they pay themselves off
One of the common misconceptions about LED lights is that they are pricier, so the cheaper option
is your best choice. Rather, LED lights last so much longer than their counterparts, you will end up saving in the long run. Not only can LED lights last up to 50x longer than incandescent fixtures, they are also more energy efficient. This means you can also expect a decrease in energy costs by switching your bulbs as well! Basically, don’t be scared off by the higher price tag. Over time, these will be worth the extra money and then some!
2. LED Lights are significantly more energy efficient
This was mentioned briefly in point #1, but the benefits of being energy efficient don’t stop at helping out your wallet. This efficiency also helps out your surrounding environment by producing less waste. With up to 80% more 
efficiency than traditional lighting structures, LED converts 95% of its energy into light. This comes out to only 5% wasted as heat. On the complete opposite spectrum, fluorescent lights convert 5% of the energy into light and waste the other 95%. Clearly this is a huge difference, and should really make someone considering switching their light source.
LED lights are also more energy efficient when it comes to wattage. Usually, an incandescent or fluorescent bulb can be replaced with a lower wattage LED bulb. This still gives the same level of light, but uses less energy. When less energy is used, we are able to decrease greenhouse gas emissions as well as what is needed from power plants. What an easy way to protect the planet!
3. LED lights shine in more than just household applications
When it comes to industrial, marine, or automotive applications, an LED light will truly put your
troubles at ease. These environments often require higher levels of light, which is where the energy efficiency of LED lights comes into play. LED headlights can easily replace standard halogen or HID headlights that are commonly found in various automotive vehicles. The same concept goes for stop, tail, or turn lights. Not only will these lights provide 100,000 hours of illumination, they are resistant to moisture and vibration to give you the most reliable light possible.
Not only are common headlights and tail lights being replaced by LED lighting, but many more! Back-up lights, license plate lights, and interior lights are also commonly found. Looking for something for your RV or trailer? LED lights are now making their way to clearance marker lights and utility lights as well!
4. LED lights can lower some common safety risks with lighting
With halogen or incandescent lights, there is always the chance of combustion. Those types of lights, as mentioned earlier, release significantly more heat than LED lights. This causes them to be much higher in temperature, with the possibility of rupturing. Both the consumer as well as items around the combusting bulb can be damaged, as well as the possibility of fire. LED lights mitigate this risk as well as being safer to the touch is handling a lit bulb*.
*We recommended for safety reasons to always unplug/turn off any kind of bulb before handling it yourself
5. LED lights are often much brighter than other types of bulbs
When in need of a brighter bulb, often incandescent lights can’t live up to the task. Because of the difference in how each bulb functions, LED lighting usually looks significantly whiter than 
incandescent lights, which provide more of a yellow glow. This white lighting can provide for better visibility, which proves especially useful in automotive settings. For example, if you are in a vehicle in harsh weather conditions, having LED headlights would prove to be a significant advantage.
The lights themselves are brighter because of the lack of waste they release as heat. If halogen or incandescent lights were able to convert 95% of their energy into light, they would also have the brightness LED bulbs are able to provide. This brightness is measured in lumens, and LEDs can provide up to 4,000 lumens of light. Incandescent bulbs can provide up to only 300 while fluorescents usually reach a max of 100.
Overall, LEDs provide numerous benefits against the bulbs from the past. These lights can go above and beyond and may be useful for your specific application. Looking for more info? Check out All About Ecco Lighting for a look into some of the highest quality lights on the market. Want some details for how you can switch? Check out How to Install LED Light Strips or How to Upgrade to LED Lights from out blog, “The Current.” And don’t forget, our Technical Support can be reached at 1.800.654.4757 to answer your questions!