There are so many letters and numbers in the lighting industry, from types of lights to types of bases (that is the way the light connects to the power source), and it seems that every set of letters and numbers refers to a different thing.  I reviewed much of this in a recent post that you can see here, but today I am just sharing an answer to a question I was recently asked: "So, what's the difference between a PAR20 light/bulb and an R20 light/bulb, anyway?" Let's take a look at the similarities and differences.

Simply put, the 50,000+ hour lifespan of high quality LED lights means that the initial cost of a light (bulb) is a smaller percentage of the Total Lighting Cost or "TLC" (the total cost of providing lighting to a space.)  But, there is actually more to it.

A common misperception of LED lights used in general lighting situations is that the only color available is a bright white that many people consider too harsh for everyday use.  This is particularly true because most of us are much more familiar with the softer hues associated with incandescent lights.  Well, fortunately, LED lights now offer much softer colors, and actually provide a wide range of colors that can be fine-tuned to meet nearly any need.  

There are many things that can be confusing about lighting, and particularly about new lighting technologies such as using LED lights for general lighting.   I discussed one of these confusing situations in my recent post, "How can 10,000 Lumens be brighter than 20,000 Lumens?"  Another question that comes-up periodically is "What is the difference between Lumens and Foot-Candles?"  I'll try to bring some clarity to the difference here, along with a little bit about why these measurements (and distinctions) are important.  

However, there are also many differences that are important that can be easily seen by the naked eye. One example of this is the directional nature of the light that is produced by LED lights.  This enables the energy being produced to be emitted focused in a particular direction, rather than in all directions as with most traditional light sources. One side effect of the way traditional light sources emit light is that much of the light often is emitted in a (or many) direction(s) other than that which is desired.  This is extremely inefficient because much of the brightness of the light is lost in the process of redirecting the light back toward the desired direction.  

Another of the most obvious differences that occurs immediately when you turn on an LED light is the simple fact that the light turns on essentially immediately.  In contrast, many traditional lights can take several seconds up to many minutes to turn on, and even longer if they are turned on and off, then back on again.  
So, why is this?

While most people would agree that "Going Green" is good for the environment and can even save money, many people don't realize just how much value can be created.  For example have you ever considered how much changing lights to efficient LED lighting can add to your bottom line?  Or, take it a step further.  If that bottom line is associated with a property, upgrading to energy efficiency lighting not only reduces energy costs and increases profits, but also has a direct impact on the value of the property.

A common (mis)perception associated with LED lighting is that it costs more than traditional incandescent lighting.  However, as you'll see in the post below, this might only be a matter of perception, depending in particular on what costs one focuses upon and the timeframe being examined...