When it comes to lighting any space, whether it be an office, an industrial warehouse, or even a residence, there are few better lighting methods than LED lights. LEDs have been steadily growing in the lighting market due to the amazing benefits these types of bulbs provide through their function and design. Even so, many people are still in the dark about the amazing benefits that these LED light configurations can provide, especially when it comes to more niche lighting products like edge lit and back lit panels. In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of LED lights and give you an overview of both edge lit and back lit panels. This information will help you understand LED lighting better and decide whether edge lit or back lit panels are better for your space!
The Major Benefits of LEDs
While it may seem like LEDs are simply an effective means of lighting a space, these bulbs do much more than provide light. Most of the major benefits of LED lights come from their minimalistic design that stresses safety and efficient function over everything else. Some of the most notable benefits of LED lights include:
Long Lifespan
On average, most LED bulbs last between 35,000 and 50,000 hours. They achieve this longevity by not utilizing any heating elements within the construction and having no moving parts. The best part is that these types of bulbs will never fade or flicker, and they’ll provide consistent and clear light at a standard level until the bulb itself dies. Obviously, this long lifespan coupled with the extreme efficiency of LED lights makes them a major step up from traditional lighting systems.
Extreme Efficiency
Many businesses will find themselves turning to LED lights as a way to save money since one of the main benefits of LED lights is their extreme efficiency. What makes these lights so much more efficient than others is the technology of the bulb. This technology minimizes the conversion of power into heat energy, instead utilizing up to 90 percent of the power fed to it to produce light. Other lighting methods are less efficient since they can expend over 40 percent of the energy used as heat radiation. While this is necessary for some older bulbs to work properly, LEDs do not require heat or any heated element to produce light.
Safe, Non-Toxic Construction
Unlike traditional lighting systems such as halogens and incandescent lights, LEDs do not use any glass or toxic elements such as mercury to make the light bulb function. The lack of such materials eliminates many safety concerns people may have regarding exposure to harmful elements or the possibility of getting cut by the glass of a broken bulb.
Easy and Diverse Installation Options
Another notable benefit of LED lights is that they are extremely configurable and able to meet the needs you have in mind. Many LED lights come with a retrofit option, which means that they are easy to install in the older lighting systems that you may have originally installed on your property.
No Noise or Distractions
LEDs will not ever flicker, whine, or make annoying buzzing sounds like some older lighting systems tend to make. Instead, these lights provide clear, consistent, and quiet light. Furthermore, most LED lights have the ability to change in color tone, meaning that you can dim and lower the brightness of the light to fit your specific needs in any workplace!
What Are Edge Lit Panels?
An edge lit panel’s illumination source is located along the panel’s perimeter, which is normally protected by an aluminum covering. The light from the edges spreads toward the center, resulting in a fully equal, shadow-free light distribution. This form of lighting, for example, is ideal for industrial warehouses with shelving because the light is properly distributed, resulting in fewer or no shadows that hinder visibility between shelves.
These panels are now thinner than ever before because the LED light sources are along the edges. The slim panels are quite versatile, as you can suspend, recess, or mount them, allowing for a variety of installation options. Depending on the environment you use them in, this variety gives them a refined aspect.
What Are Back Lit Panels?
The light source for backlit panels is right where you’d expect it to be: at the panel’s back. The light is directed away from the source and distributed equally throughout the space by the panel. Because backlit panels must be thicker in order to provide uniform light dispersion, installation options are more limited for these than edge lit panels.
Although back lit panels don’t have the same sleek and sophisticated aesthetic as edge illuminated panels, they do offer major financial advantages. They are less expensive than edge lit panels, allowing you to spend less money on the initial investment and more on the maintenance and upkeep of the lighting. In addition, because the light source is concentrated in one location rather than all over the panel, fewer LED bulbs are required in a back lit panel. When you use fewer bulbs, you use less energy, are more efficient, and save money in the long run.
How Do These Panels Differ?
Edge lit and back lit panels are both excellent light sources with only a few key differences. Both give bright, natural-looking light and are a significant improvement over fluorescent lighting. To pick the ideal light source for your space, examine all aspects of these light sources, including aesthetics, usability, efficiency, and cost. Doing so will ensure that you are happy with the lighting system that you choose to install!
We hope this article has helped you determine whether edge lit or back lit panels are better for your space. If you are considering implementing anything from LED office light panels to LED outdoor floodlights, be sure to check out the Eco LED Mart. We have an amazing selection of LED products to ensure that you can outfit your living or office space with a high-quality lighting system.
