When lights are turned on in the evening, there always seems to be some bugs appearing out of nowhere. The insects are attracted to the light in swarms and surprisingly end up in lighting shades, trays and bulbs at times.

There’s been some speculation as to whether or not LED lights attract insects. There’s been a few scientific studies to address the issue.

Bugs are attracted to a colour spectrum, rather than a specific type of light bulb.

A study conducted by the Department of Entomology in Pakistan concluded that bugs were attracted to the different colour spectrums in light rather than a specific light bulb. The study showed that 22% of bugs were attracted to the blue spectrum, while 18% were attracted to white, 10% to yellow, 2% to red and 4.7% to green. The study was conducted to help develop light insect traps (rather than pesticides) for the agricultural industry.

The findings are interesting because they also show that light bulb manufacturers cannot claim that their light bulb won’t attract insects.

Sage publishing offers another research paper titled, “Lighting Research & Technology”, which is a more up-to-date study that covers the effects of residential energy-saving lamps on the attraction of nocturnal insects.

LED lights can be more favourable for insects.

LED lights are much cooler than their incandescent or ultraviolet counterparts. So bugs that decide to hang around the light aren’t likely to get burned up. It is possible that the light could attract alot more bugs over time. However, this would only occur if you left the LED light exposed to the outdoor elements.

Is it true?

It is true that the light emitted by LED lights can attract bugs, but it is unfair to make the claim that LED light bulbs attract more bugs than other lightbulbs. It’s more likely that it will affect external lighting such as floodlights or downlights that are exposed to outdoor elements.

You can see the original discussion on the article on Lux Review.

Do you have any thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

The post True or False – Do LED lights attract bugs? appeared first on Ledified.

We’re going to share a few reasons why LED lights should be factored into retailers marketing mix.

Cosmetic appeal makes a big difference to customer’s buying decisions.

First impressions count. You might be selling a beautiful product, but if the light and shadows don’t show off its true beauty, then people won’t be attracted to the product. The right type of lighting creates a character that resonates with prospective buyers. People will be more inclined to connect with lighting moods and colours that they will enjoy. A shopper that visits the fruit and vegetable section of a retail store might make an instant connection with a bright red apple (given that they connect with the colour red) and decide to make an impulse purchase. LuxReview cited a study whereby pastel coloured uplights increased basket values by six percent.

Reduces retail lighting overhead costs.

Retailers often run on tight margins and need to implement a business model that will allow them to price their stock items competitively. LED lights have helped retailers cut down their overhead lighting costs by as much as 60%. These cost savings can then be reinvested into the business or passed onto the customer.

Lighting design can direct people’s attention towards certain products.

There’s a great summary for retail lighting by Lumastream. Lights should be used to direct people’s attention towards products, but in an engaging way. Making use of contrast, accents and colour will help to make people more receptive towards the retail environment, as well as engage with more products. Task lighting should be placed at the point of sale and enable employees to process the transaction quickly and efficiently. Decorative lighting can be used to enhance the look and feel of the space.

Recommended resource: Retail stores – Where lighting matters.

Do you have any thoughts about LED lighting being used in retail marketing? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post LED lighting in retail marketing – Does it really matter? appeared first on Ledified.

High-quality lighting

One of the big problems in the LED lighting industry is that many suppliers or retailers are providing LED lights as the next best thing, but fail to deliver the quality bulbs to customers. Installing LED lights that end up blowing, flickering or creating a potential safety hazard isn’t worth the investment. Even though people might find cheaper alternatives from China on sites like EBay, the potential cost from damages to your property or even health issues will outweigh the costs that are initially saved.

LEDified ensures that all of its lights go through its Final Quality Control Procedure, which involves a 40 point check and a safety report. This ensures that our customers receive a high-quality product and that the safety is compliant with all regulations.

Energy Efficiency

Our founder Suren Chandrajit has been involved in the green industry for a number of years and one of the key messages that he’s always emphasised is to focus on energy-efficiency. Energy-efficient technology minimises power demand, which in turn minimises energy consumption costs. It’s a win for the customer and a win for the environment.

We aren’t complacent with what we have developed already. We are always striving to provide a better product that will make our customers lives easier. Steve Jobs wanted Apple’s designers to create a product so simple that anybody could use it. The team at LEDified adopt a similar approach. This was proved with LEDified’s development of EVA, which combined 16 LED lighting variables into one bulb. Additionally, the luminaire can be controlled simply by using the custom designed remote control.

Economic benefits

We want to provide our customers with the best value for their money. This is why LEDified continues to invest in innovative LED lighting developments and creates financing models that will save you money in the long-term.

Sustainability.

It’s great to run a business that helps the environment. The staff at LEDified are passionate about making a real difference to climate change by helping people and businesses upgrade to energy-efficient lighting, whcih will help them cut down their lighting consumption.

We want you to be just as passionate as the people at LEDified when it comes to lighting. Why not get in touch with one of our consultants to see how we can help you.

The post What drives our team at LEDified? appeared first on Ledified.

When will this be released?

All that’s been said so far is that the new panel will be released sometime in 2017. It’s likely that the company may officially launch the release of the lunar skylight at this year’s LuxLive event.

What inspired the team at CoeLux to develop their latest innovation?

Professor Paolo Di Trapani, who is the inventor of the artificial skylights told Lux Review that unlike sunlight, which is receptive. People prefer to look at and admire the moonlight. He was quoted saying, “The moon, unlike the sun, lets you look at her, it seems she wants to be looked at”.

People that have already had the chance to get a preview of the skylight are praising its ingenuity. Less light is being used to create a comforting and relaxing ambiance.

Health benefits are likely to be the main selling point of the LED skylight.

People that experienced the first generation of CoeLux’s artificial skylight were quick to praise the invention for its ability to provide natural sunlight health benefits to spaces in hospitals, medical facilities and health clubs. It’s expected that the Lunar artificial skylight will also attract potential buyers that can see the health benefits outweighing the costs.

Will they be able to overcome the pricing hurdle?

One of the biggest obstacles CoeLux has found with their innovative designs is pricing and how it affects the commercial sale of their product. Despite having an LED light that people fall in love with at first sight, the cost to purchase and install the panel isn’t commercially viable for most businesses or residents.

It’s a typical trait in the LED industry, where the cost to produce innovative lighting erodes the economic benefits that consumers are seeking. Consumers in the luxury market are interested in the technology, however the price tag for a single panel is a substantial purchase.

Should they develop an economic model like LEDified, their business will have the potential to skyrocket.

You can see the original CoeLux design in the video below.

Do you have any thoughts that you would like to share on the lunar artificial skylight? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Spotlight on LED innovators – CoeLux’s Lunar LED skylight. appeared first on Ledified.

The positive aspect of this is that Australia is moving closer towards their renewable energy target, however it is coming at a cost to the Australian citizens. Ultimately, someone needs to pay for the additional costs and middle to low-income Australian households are the ones that don’t want to feel the pinch.

We have illustrated the cost increase in our previous blog post, which shows the drastic increase in expenses.

Australians need to seek out cost-effective solutions to minimize the impact that energy price increases will have on their household. It’s been clear to see over the past few years how Australians have adopted more energy-saving habits, such as switching off lights and investing in energy-efficient equipment. However, the biggest savings will come from adopting energy-efficient lighting in their household.

Now is the best time for Australians to upgrade to LED light bulbs. Many homeowners can take advantage of the government schemes on offer to upgrade their lighting with no or little upfront costs. Once the lights are installed, the household’s overall energy consumption can be minimised by as much as 60% annually. Currently, there are subsidies on offer in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Businesses should consider this as well.

Lighting will account for at least 15% of a business’s overhead expense. Price increases will squeeze the business’s profits and can make the operation much more difficult to run over the long-term. It is in business’s best interests to also leverage LED lighting technology to minimise their business’s overheads. There are several case studies on the LEDified site where the installation of LED lights has increased the business’s positive cashflow.

Is it really worth the investment?

For some people, trying to justify $5,000 or more to replace their light bulbs now in order to save an extra $78 a year might not seem worthwhile. But what if the cost was greatly reduced to say $1,000 annually. It would pay off for itself over a five year period. Plus you would have better peace of mind knowing that the energy consumption that you are using within your property is actually helping and not hindering the environment.

What should you do next?

Get in touch with one of the LEDified specialists to learn about any options that you can take advantage of

The post What will you do if energy prices don’t decrease? appeared first on Ledified.

Here are a few things that you should look out for.

LED thermal management.

One of the problems with LEDs is the energy that is not converted into photons is converted into heat. When LED lights get hot, it reduces the efficiency of the LED and less light is produced. If the semiconductor within the LED operates above 100 degrees Celsius, mechanisms within the LED will start to wear out and it will shorten the lifespan of the bulb.

A thermally conductive circuit board can monitor the thermal performance of the LED and a solution can be developed from the data to reduce the excess heat that is produced through conduction. There will be some thermal management models released on the market in 2017. More information can be seen on LEDs Magazine.

Seoul semiconductor’s patented filament LEDs

South Korean LED manufacturer Seoul Semiconductor have filed several patents to bolster their market share in the filament LED light bulb market, which has an estimated value of $1.3 billion. The luminaire is predicted to emit high-quality light that is close to natural light, which is achieved through Chip-On-Board (COB) technology. More information on Seoul Semiconductor’s filament LEDs can be seen here.

LED lights a crucial component for sustainable development strategies.

A large number of companies are adopting a ‘green’ strategy to become more eco-friendly and cut down their organisation’s contribution towards carbon emissions. In Australia, this is evidenced by the State-sponsored energy efficiency schemes in Victoria (VEET) and New South Wales (ESS). Many inefficient light bulbs have been phased out or made illegal by governments in order to implement a more energy-efficient solution that will cut down energy demands.

LEDified is helping businesses and residents to take advantage of these schemes, which provides them with subsidised costs, in order to get the technology installed quickly.

These are a few of the LED trends that are expected in 2017. Are there any that you have seen? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Trends to look out for in the LED industry in 2017. appeared first on Ledified.

Naturally, price wars will occur and lure people into making a choice based on the lowest pricing. LEDified believes in providing value. When it is possible, we aim to give customers the lowest pricing, but not at the expense of providing a poor quality product or service to the customer, which will cost them more in the long-run.

Here are a few things that you should look out for when choosing your LED light supplies.

Check the quality of the LED light bulb.

You just need to do a quick search on eBay to find several suppliers that offer LED lights at a low pricing. Typically, these are imported from countries like China where the safety regulations aren’t as stringent as in Australia. As a result, some of the bulbs are ‘unsafe for installation’ and can become a potential fire hazard or cause structural damage to your property, which will cost far more in maintenance and repairs over the long-run.

Check the compliance labelling of the light bulb and assess the risk of the device before having it installed in your property.

LEDified manufactures all of their lights and they comply with Australian regulations, so you know that you will be using a luminaire that is high in quality and safe for your property.

LEDified does this by carrying out a 40 point check on every batch of products that gets produced. After the supplier qualification process, LEDified’s suppliers are subject to regular audits to ensure that all LEDified products are compliant with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA).

Trying to save money doing a DIY service could cost you more in the long-run.

Many people that opt for the DIY option save themselves money in the short-term, but it can easily turn into a very expensive investment in the long-term if things go wrong.

LEDified’s installation team can provide a full service installation at no extra cost. The service includes:

• Assessing the existing lights in the property.
• Recommending the appropriate LED lights
• Installing the right transformer to maximise the LED efficiency.
• Have a 3 year warranty on all parts and labour.
• Receive a Certificate of Electrical safety upon finishing the work.

You can read more on LEDified’s installation process here.

LEDified is in the business of providing value, not quick sales. So we want to make sure that you invest in LED lighting products and services that will save you money and hassle over the long-term. Why not get in touch with one of our specialists today!

The post Reasons why you should consider staying with LEDified as your lighting suppliers. appeared first on Ledified.

The thought of having a positive cash-flow property is a dream for many Australians. Here are a few ways this property owner was able to achieve this.

The home is powered by solar energy.

The property should be powered by solar energy, which will connect to the energy grid. This will supply heating for the hot water and provide power for the entire property.

The lighting within the property is powered by low-voltage LED lights.

LED lights are the most eco-friendly and cost efficient bulbs that you can install in your property. They consume up to 90% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and are more energy-efficient than halogen light bulbs.

The home’s design maximised heat retention.

It’s important that the property is designed in a way to maximise heat retention during the cooler periods of the year. The property should be constructed with insulation in the walls and roof to prevent any heat from escaping. Additionally, the property shouldn’t have any air leakages.

The property can also make use of double glazed windows, depending on the climate conditions of the properties location.

Additionally, heat ventilation recovery can also be installed to let fresh air into the home, without losing any heat.

As more heat is retained within the property, there will be a lower dependence on electrical heating.

Smart electronics are used throughout the property.

Electrical items that are used throughout the home should use a low voltage and also have a smart function that allows them to go into a low-power mode or to switch off when they aren’t in use. Some items that can be considered include:

• Smart printers
• LED televisions
• Smart refrigerators
• Smart heating

The property’s orientation maximises heat absorption in the winter and cooling in the summer.

The property needs to be built in a way so that heat from the sun during the winter is absorbed into the property. So in Australia, all of the living areas within the property would be facing north.

During the summer months, the sun should follow a slightly different path. The property’s design should have shaded features to reduce the temperature in the property during the warmer months of the year. This might include the use of blinds and awnings to keep out the sun. This can also be complimented by an energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioner.

Making these improvements to your home can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your energy bill every year. The saved money could allow you to have an extra holiday every year. Take a look around your property to see where you can make improvements that will save you money over the long-term.

The post ‘Zero emissions’ homes every Australian should be aspiring for. appeared first on Ledified.

Here are a few stories from around the world.

LEDs light up a homemade ice rink.

In 2016, a homeowner from Minnesota in the USA attempted to freeze waterproof LED lights in a backyard ice rink. The man who created the ice rink actually owns a flooring business and decided to convert his backyard tennis court into an ice rink during the winter. (Source)

His wife pitched him the idea that it should have LED lights in the flooring. The man then went on to find LED lights and created an ice rink that illuminates different colours while skating. You can see a video of the ice rink below.

South Korea’s Tree of life for the winter Olympics.

Tree of life

The winter Olympics will be hosted in Pyeongchang in 2018. The South Koreans have created a wooden structure that is 108 feet tall and contains 400,000 LEDs. This will make it the largest wooden structure in South Korea. You can see the original announcement from Yahoo Sports here.

LED lights are used on Niagara falls.

Niagara falls is one of the most majestic landmarks that you can see in North America. A $4 million renovation on the Canadian side of the waterfalls will help to bring the waterfalls to life by night.

1400 new LED lights have helped with the makeover, boosting colours and making them up to 14 times brighter. The bulbs are also more energy efficient than their predecessors.

You can click here to see a report from CBS News.

Faucets with LED lights.

One way to jazz up your bathroom is to invest in faucets that have LED lights built into them. The water from the faucet will illuminate in different colours according to the temperature of the water. So it is another handy way to alert users to any changes in the water’s temperature.

The video below shows a faucet with an LED built into it.

Have you seen any other LED stories from around the web that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured image source.

The post Inspiring stories of LED light uses. appeared first on Ledified.

Here’s a small checklist that you should run through.

Productivity and cost levels related to your building’s lease.

Is the location of your business creating a positive or negative impact for your business? For example, your business might be operating in a cheap, non-serviced office. However, due to the amount of time you need to spend managing the actual office, it takes you away from the tasks you need to dedicate yourself to so that you can grow the business.

Another scenario is that the location of your business actually drives away more business than it actually gains. So the $5000 savings costs actually cost your business $20,000 in revenue.

Alternatively, it is common for organisations to spend too much on their lease. This heightens the financial risk, since organisations need to find the extra income to cover the costs.

Check the lighting design setup of your organisation.

Typically, lighting accounts for approximately 15% of overhead costs for an organisation. The organisation could save a lot of money by implementing a better lighting design.

If your organisation hasn’t switched from incandescent lighting to LED lights, it will be the quickest and most impactful change for the organisation. Businesses that have made the switch see cost savings of up to 60% within the first 12 months. The costs pay-off for themselves and drastically reduce the lighting overhead costs over the long-term.

Secondly, the building design can improve the use of solar lighting. Changes in the window or door designs or indoor designs can really light up spaces and minimise the need for artificial lighting.

Encourage energy-saving habits within your organisation.

Encourage your staff to improve their energy-saving habits. This might see them investing in more energy-efficient technology such as eco-friendly printers or computers. Additionally, they can conserve energy better by switching off lights and electrical equipment when they aren’t in use. It is common for items such as computers and lights to be left on overnight, even though they are not being used.

Do an audit of your organisation to see where any positive changes can be made. If you would like some more insight, get in touch with one of LEDified’s specialists today!

The post How has your organisation planned to cut overhead costs in 2017? appeared first on Ledified.