LEDs a viable light source
August 1st 2004

Lighting is a major expense for any company, usually accounting for between 30% and 60% of a companys total electricity expenditure. Since the introduction of the Climate Change Levy in April 2001 this expense has increased further. A major new contender in this field of energy saving products is the introduction of commercially viable LED lighting sources. LED lighting units have many significant advantages over conventional lighting sources and are now a serious alternative. Some of the benefits of LED lighting are: Improved light quality with greatly reduced degradation. Substantially increased working life of unit. Reduced maintenance, cleaning and replacement expenditure. Reduced energy consumption (up to 75% in some applications). Some applications can be powered using solar energy. Units do not produce UV light. They are a cold light source, which is a benefit in fridges for example where temperature management is an issue. LEDs are an instantaneous light source therefore they can be controlled effectively using timers and sensors without the complication of waiting for the light to warm up before giving full illumination as is the case with some conventional lighting units. ViroSafe has supplied and installed LED under canopy lights for petrol filling stations for a major oil company in Belgium, this is the first time these units have been used for this application in Europe. It has also supplied 48 white LED grade backlighting and price digit units for use on petrol filling stations in the UK. For further information regarding utilities management services or LED lighting units: