When shopping for LED lights, one of the most important considerations is whether they produce heat. This is especially important if you plan to use LED lights in a confined space, such as an attic or crawlspace. In this blog post, we’ll explore do LED lights produce heat and what to look for when choosing a light that doesn’t produce too much heat.
LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are pretty amazing little devices. They’re efficient and use far less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also last longer, which means that you’ll be changing the bulbs in your fixtures less frequently. However, there is one drawback to LED lights that must be considered before making an investment into these new types of lighting: heat.
Do LED Lights Produce Heat? Yes!
Heat and LEDs don’t usually go hand in hand. After all, we expect that LED lights will be cooler than traditional bulbs because they use less energy and therefore produce less heat. However, while LEDs do indeed produce some heat, they’re still far cooler than the type of heat generated by incandescent bulbs. You can have higher heat levels from LEDs, but you typically won’t have a problem with it if your fixture is ventilated.
What to Look for in a LED Light that Doesn't Produce a Lot of Heat
So, what should you look for when shopping for LED lights? There are several things that you need to pay attention to if you don’t want a light that produces too much heat.
Wattage: Although LEDs are more energy efficient, you still need to know how much wattage your fixture requires. If it requires a lot of power for the amount of lighting that it provides, then it will also produce higher amounts of heat. You should be able to find the wattage info of your LED fixture or individual bulb online.
Efficiency: You can look at the lumens of a light to get a sense of how efficient it is, which is helpful if you’re looking for lights that don’t produce too much heat. Lumens are simply a unit of measurement that signify how much light comes out of your fixture. The more lumens, the more efficient (and potentially cooler) your LED lighting is.
Ventilation: As mentioned above, ventilation will be key if you’re using an LED fixture that produces higher levels of heat or have lights that are inside a confined space. If it doesn’t have good ventilation, the heat from your LED bulb will build up inside of your fixture and potentially cause a fire.
Heat Management: If you’re looking at LED lights for a hydroponics set up or grow room, then you should definitely pay attention to how well it manages heat. Warmth from these types of lights can be beneficial, but you want to ensure that you’re not losing energy and creating a fire hazard. Look for lights with heat sinks if you plan on using it in this type of situation.
Heat Sinks: For LED lights that produce higher levels of heat, look for fixtures with built-in heat sinks. These are basically special parts of the fixture that reduce and dissipate heat, allowing the LED light to run more efficiently.
Be Mindful of UV Light: Even if your LED lights don’t produce heat, they do emit some UVA and UVB radiation. While this is great for your plants as it promotes photosynthesis, it also means that you need to take extra precautions such as wearing protective gear to prevent skin damage.
Unless your fixture or bulb requires a high level of wattage or you’re placing it in an enclosed space where the heat will build up, LEDs typically don’t produce too much heat. However, if you choose incorrectly.
Do LEDs generate infrared heat?
The incandescent lamp generates 57W of heat loss. This is emitted into the environment in the form of invisible infrared radiation. This also causes the lamp glass to heat up to such an extent that you would burn yourself immediately if you touched it. LED lamps do not produce infrared radiation. Therefore you can also touch bright LED lamps without burning yourself. But where is the waste heat?
The 3.9W heat loss from the example is mainly generated in the light emitting diode and to a small extent in the LED driver. The LED is a semiconductor. Its heat loss is not radiated by itself, but must be dissipated via a suitable cooling solution. Otherwise the LED would die of heat. If the operating temperature is too high, the lifespan of the light source also decreases.
Also LED lights and illuminants have a certain heat development. However, this is much less than with the old light sources. In addition, the power loss is not radiated in the form of infrared heat, but must be dissipated from the lamp via a heat sink.
How much heat is generated by LED light bulbs?
LED light bulbs generate heat as does anything that consumes electricity. The important thing to keep in mind is how much energy LED lights use versus traditional bulb types. Thus while LEDs will generate heat, it will be a fraction of that compared to a traditional technology bulb. The ultimate temperature at which the external housing of the LED will operate at is influenced by the temperature of the room and the fixture it is placed in.
LED bulbs have many components inside to change the high voltage electricity from your home or building to the lower voltage that the LED chips need to run. Because of this, they are much more sensitive to heat than incandescent or halogen sources. You will frequently find that many low cost LED bulbs carry a warning that they should not be placed in fully enclosed fixtures.
The reason for this is that this heat build up can shorten the life of the components inside of the LED bulb. Only use fully enclosed rated LED bulbs in fixtures of this type or you may void the warranty. Overall though, the lower heat generated by LEDs makes them a great choice for applications such as task lighting and illumination of heat sensitive objects such as food or artwork that can be damaged by heat.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the difference between LED and CFL lights?
LED light bulbs are better than CFL ones. LED lamps have no mercury, they last longer and can be dimmed. Also, it is not necessary to turn on/off the LED lamp frequently as it has no start-up time but on the other hand, you must turn off CFL lights after use.
What are the different types of LED lighting available?
There are many types of LED lighting devices to choose from, knowing which one is best for you depends on your needs and preferences. These include the following:
* Floodlights- this type offers plenty of light over a large area
* Spotlights- these lamps are best in highlighting specific areas or objects
* Wall-washer lamps- these give off a soft ambient glow perfect for creating an atmosphere in homes and work spaces
* Rope lights- this type of LED lighting is used to decorate space around the home.
What are some important features to look for when buying LED lighting products?
When looking for an LED lighting product, there are certain features buyers should keep in mind. These include the following:
- The light’s brightness (measured in lumens)
- Color temperature (how cool or warm the color of the light is)
- CRI (color rendering index; how accurate colors appear under the LED light)
What are some common uses for LED lighting products?
LED lighting products are used for various applications in homes and businesses, including the following:
- Energy-efficient illumination in work spaces
- Outdoor security lighting to provide safety in dark locations
- Decorative lamps for interior décor
- LED light bulbs with programmable timers to create a home environment that feels like day or night.
Conclusion
LED bulbs generate heat as does anything that consumes electricity. The important thing to keep in mind is how much energy LED lights use versus traditional bulb types. Thus while LEDs will generate heat, it will be a fraction of that compared to a traditional technology bulb. The ultimate temperature at which the external housing of the LED will operate at is influenced by the temperature of the room and the fixture it is placed in.
