Are LED Fluorescent Tubes More Energy Efficient?

Until recently, traditional fluorescent light tubes were considered as the best energy efficient lighting available. But, the disadvantage to this type of lighting is that they do contain a small amount of mercury, a toxic heavy metal. As such, when the tubes are broken and it could prove to be a health risk.

Normally, the fluorescent light tubes use electricity to excite mercury vapour inside the glass tube and usually need a ballast to regulate the flow of power through the lamp. To heat the contact ends of the fluorescent tube, a starter is used in the circuit which ionizes the mercury vapour and thereby creating UV light. A phosphor material is coated in the inside of the tube which glows when it is exposed to UV light that was produced by the mercury in the fluorescent tube.

The LED fluorescent tube replacements are now a reality with the SMD (Surface Mount Diode) LED technology. They are a a lot more efficient form of lighting as compared to traditional tubes as they consist of small chips of conductive material which release light whenever a current is applied to them. They contain no filaments and produce maximum up to 25 times more light per watt than traditional light tubes.

Traditional fluorescent tubes require more energy in their manufacture than LED tube lights. Only 3% of the energy will be consumed when using LED fluorescent tubes and they are also produced from non toxic materials. They are made from polycarbonate, a material which is far more robust and durable than glass, as such when accidents occur, they will not need special cleanup procedures.

Although the existing fluorescent tubes cost lesser than the LED tubes, but they do not have a longer lifespan as compared to LED ones. In fact, with LED technology, they last 10 times more than the traditional ones while consuming 65% less energy.

The only disadvantage is the tighter beam angle of the LEDs, while some tubes are manufactured from a polycarbonate light diffusing material, others have a narrow focus that are probably not suitable for replacing existing tube lights.

As compared to LED tube lights, many traditional fluorescent tubes are designed with reflectors which assist to distribute the light from the tubes evenly in their environment. This is a problem quite similar to what the compact fluorescent tubes are facing when they began replacing incandescent light bulbs. Definitely, this is a problem which will soon be overcome. And this will allow faster adoption of this emerging lighting technology.


For more information on Ai LED fluorescent tubes, pls visit LED fluorescent tube replacements