LED lighting saves 50-70% energy, lasts 5-10x longer, and pays for itself in 2-8 months compared to metal halide, fluorescent, and HPS fixtures. Here's the detailed breakdown.
| Specification | LED | Traditional | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | 50-70% less | Baseline (high) | LED |
| Lifespan | 50,000-100,000 hours | 6,000-15,000 hours | LED |
| Warm-up Time | Instant on | 5-15 minutes | LED |
| CRI | 80-90+ | 65-70 | LED |
| Maintenance | Minimal (no re-lamp) | Frequent bulb + ballast changes | LED |
| Dimming | 0-10V smooth dimming | Not dimmable | LED |
| Mercury Content | None | Contains mercury | LED |
| Upfront Cost | Higher ($69-$349) | Lower ($40-$150) | Trad. |
| 5-Year Total Cost | $150-$500 | $500-$2,000+ | LED |
| Specification | LED | Traditional | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | 30-50% less | Baseline (moderate) | LED |
| Lifespan | 50,000+ hours | 20,000-30,000 hours | LED |
| Warm-up Time | Instant | 1-3 seconds (flicker) | LED |
| CRI | 80-90+ | 70-85 | LED |
| Ballast Required | No (Type B direct wire) | Yes (failure point) | LED |
| Mercury | None | Contains mercury | LED |
| Disposal | Standard waste | Hazardous waste recycling | LED |
| Upfront Cost | $5-$15/tube | $2-$5/tube | Trad. |
| 5-Year Total Cost | $15-$25 | $20-$50 (incl. ballast) | LED |
| Specification | LED | Traditional | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | 50-65% less | Baseline (high) | LED |
| Lifespan | 50,000-100,000 hours | 12,000-24,000 hours | LED |
| Color Quality (CRI) | 70-90+ | 22-25 (orange/yellow) | LED |
| Color Temperature | 3000K-5000K (white) | 2100K (orange) | LED |
| Warm-up Time | Instant | 3-10 minutes | LED |
| Restrike Time | Instant | 5-15 minutes after power loss | LED |
| Light Distribution | Precise optics (Type III/V) | Omni-directional (wasted light) | LED |
| Upfront Cost | Higher | Lower | Trad. |
| 5-Year Total Cost | Significantly lower | Higher (energy + maintenance) | LED |