Light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights perform best overall in terms of energy efficiency, lifetime, environmental impact and costs, according to the University of Pittsburgh. The team compared the lifecycle – from extraction of raw materials through fabrication and assembly to electricity consumption during use and finally disposal – of LEDs, high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide lamps and the gas-based induction bulb.
LEDs though the most expensive options for streetlighting, consume only half the electricity of HPS or metal halide installations, last up to five times longer and produce more light. The analysis concurs with critics of LEDs that they do need considerable energy to produce and can be difficult to recycle, but they contain no mercury and fewer toxins such as iodine and lead.
The greatest impact of LEDs, however, comes when electricity consumption during use is considered – which is much more significant than that required for production. LEDs require much less energy than HPS or metal halide lamps.
The potential savings could be huge. The city of Pittsburgh, for example, could save $1 million a year in energy costs and $700,000 in maintenance by replacing HPS lamps with LEDs. That’s no small amount.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment