LED lights are popular because of the many benefits that they provide, but can they reduce light pollution? LED lights save money and are also eco-friendly as compared to incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lights. Let us learn more about this below.
Do LED lights reduce light pollution? LED lights can be reduced. Aside from that, it can also save money and reduce energy. This is because LED lights minimize power consumption up to 60 percent. They are your best choice for both indoor and outdoor lighting.
What causes light pollution? Is LED light environmentally friendly? Can LED lights save energy? What lights can help reduce light pollution? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information about LED lights and how it can help in reducing light pollution.
What is Light Pollution?
Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial outdoor lights. It is also referred to as photo pollution or luminous pollution. Too much artificial lights can change both the color and the contrast of the night sky. Aside from that, it can also hide natural starlight. Light pollution can affect the environment, wildlife, energy resources, and humans. Because artificial lights are in demand and widely used all across the globe, light pollution continues to grow.
What Causes Light Pollution?
The main cause of light pollution is excessive use of outdoor lights. Industrial, commercial, or residential lights that are poorly designed contribute to light pollution. Take note that a light fixture that is unshielded gives off more than 50 percent lighting skyward. Usually, only about 40 percent of the light that is emitted from outdoor fixtures illuminates the ground. In the U.S., wasted lighting contributes to 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.
✅ Video – Why You Should Care About Light Pollution
DW Planet A shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses why you should care about light pollution. The video talks about what light pollution is, its causes, how it can affect the world, and how to deal with it. Check out the video for more information.
Can LED Lights Save Energy?
LED lights save energy. It not only helps reduce light pollution, but also saves money by reducing your electric bills. The good thing about using LED street lights is that they can reduce power consumption up to sixty percent. Moreover, LED street lights are reengineered so that they reduce light pollution. The only issue is that LED lights are more expensive as compared to ordinary lights. However, it will save you money in the long run because it will reduce your energy consumption.
How Can LED Lights Help Reduce Light Pollution?
LED lights help reduce light pollution because they are energy efficient, longer lifespan and they do not have toxic elements. Moreover, they are brighter than other light fixtures so you need only a few LED lights to illuminate a dark area in your property. Take note that LED lighting provides many environmental advantages and one of these is to help reduce light pollution. Let us learn more about this below.
Energy Efficient
One of the ways that LED lights can help reduce light pollution is that they are energy efficient. These lights are 80% more efficient as compared to traditional lights. Bear in mind that about 95% of the energy in LEDs is being converted into light, which means that only 5% is converted to heat. Moreover, LED lights use less power. You can replace an 84-watt fluorescent with a 36-watt LED. It uses less power but gives off the same level of light.
No Toxic Elements
LED lights do not contain any toxic element. Bear in mind that fluorescent lights, which are usually used in offices and dressing rooms, contain noxious chemicals like mercury. Mercury is a dangerous chemical that can contaminate the environment when it is disposed of in a landfill. To avoid this, you can use LED lights.
Fewer Lights Needed
You only need a few LED lights to illuminate a dark area in your property. This is because LEDs are designed to have better quality of light distribution. As compared to other types of lighting that waste energy by emitting light in all directions, LEDs focus light in one direction. Hence, you can rest assured that it will not illuminate areas where light is not needed. Moreover, fewer LED lights are required to have the same level of brightness that is provided by fluorescent lights. Using fewer lights in your property can reduce energy consumption and will also lessen light pollution. You can save money and help the environment. We have also shared this article that discusses if one photocell can control multiple lights. Check out the article for more information.
Longer Lifespan
As compared to other types of lighting, LED lights have a longer lifespan. Meaning, it will emit lower carbon emissions. Take note that LED Lights can last up to six times longer as compared to other types of lights. You can save money because you do not need to frequently replace the lights in your property.
How to Reduce Light Pollution?
You can help reduce light pollution by adding a shield into your lighting fixtures, using LED bulbs, and using lights that have cutoff angles. LED lights that are well-made emit less light pollution. Below are the ways that you can help reduce light pollution.
1. Cutoff Angles
One way to reduce light pollution is to choose outdoor lighting fixtures that have cutoff angles. This will help maintain light in the horizontal plane. Moreover, cutoff angles also minimize high-angle brightness. Cutoff lighting directs the light at a downward angle. As a result, it prevents light from radiating to the sky.
2. Shield
Another way to help reduce light pollution is by adding a shield to your lights. Installing a shield like a solid cap to your outdoor lighting fixtures will help prevent light from pointing towards the sky. As a result, it keeps light directed to where it is needed. You can choose from a wide array of lighting shields that are available on the market.
3. Lighting Sensors
You can also add sensors to your lighting fixtures. Motion sensors can reduce light pollution because it turns off the light when no one is around to use them. To prevent having the lights turned on all night long, add a motion sensor so that it automatically turns on and off as required. Make sure that you choose high-quality and well-designed sensors.
4. White LED Bulbs
You can also help reduce light pollution by using white LED bulbs. Take note that fluorescent lights and LED bulbs produce warm white light. Avoid using blue light because they are shorter and can easily scatter which adds to light pollution. Aside from that, blue lights can cause eyestrain.
5. Turn off Lights
Turning off the lights is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to reduce light pollution. Turning on the lights during the night is very important because it gives people a sense of protection and peace of mind. It is believed that lights can ward off burglars because they can easily be seen. On the other hand, this is not always the case. In some cases, too much lighting around your property can actually make it easier for burglars to break in because they can easily make their way around your property. Hence, it is best that you light your property strategically which means that you add lights only to areas that needs it the most.
What Lights Can Help Reduce Light Pollution?
Lights that can help reduce light pollution include LEDs and compact fluorescents. They can also reduce energy use and protect the environment. On the other hand, make sure to use only warm colored bulbs. You can also add motion sensors, shields, timers, and dimmers to your lights to help reduce illumination and save energy. You can also check out this article that discusses if there are lights that don’t cause light pollution. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Is LED Light Environment Friendly?
Led lights are environment friendly. These types of lights do not have mercury. It has a low environmental impact as compared to incandescent bulbs. LED lights are safe for the environment because they can easily be recycled. LED lights come with many environmental advantages such as having a longer life span, less energy use, and less greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the Best Way to Reduce Light Pollution?
Turning off the lights is the best way to reduce light pollution. Outdoor lighting is important especially during the night. Usually, houses have lighted porch to help the dwellers feel safer. On the other hand, too much lighting can lead to light pollution. If you want to help reduce light pollution, make sure to turn off lights in your property when they are not needed. We have also shared this article that talks about what is considered light pollution. Check out the article to learn more about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if LED lights reduce light pollution. We have found out that LED lights help reduce light pollution. These lights are environment friendly and have many benefits to the environment. LED lights also use less energy so you can save on your monthly electric bills. When using LED lights, make sure to choose warm lights and avoid the ones that emit blue light. Thank you for reading!