Note: This article originally appeared in BD+C's April 2013 AIA/CES course, "Advanced Controls and Exterior Tactics for Better Illumination." This free class is available on BD+C University.Ā
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āWe donāt specify LEDs,ā says Avraham Mor of Lightswitch Architectural. āWe specify solid-state luminaires and lamps (SSL) that use LEDs.ā
Morās correction of this common misuse of the term āLEDā is significant, because a problem associated with SSL is often just a problem with a specific LED product. āSSL is the only source to use when trying to meet energy reduction goals while maintaining the look and feel we typically work toward,ā he says. āWe have had great success, but it takes a great designer and client to manage the entire process.ā
In fact, many complaints about LEDs are often attributable to the SSL, and vice versa, leading to complaints about a technology that sometimes fails to meet expectations. But SSL, as Mor says, is really the future of energy reduction; with careful design and specification, it is also the present.
PNNLās Naomi Miller points to the myriad benefits of LED technology: āHigher lumens-per-watt than fluorescent, good lumen maintenance over time (in some cases better than fluorescent), long life compared to CFL or metal halide, and excellent color compared to almost any conventional light source.ā She adds that the small form factors mean LEDs are richly accommodating, allowing designers enormous creative flexibility with space, configuration, and color.
Lumen Architectureās Nelson Jenkins says blanket substitutions arenāt necessarily a good strategy, however: āNot all LED products match the quality of the other sources we specify.ā In addition, price is still an issue. āWe find that while the cost of LEDs has come down, they tend to be more expensive than, for instance, a halogen version. But the up-front cost for LEDs can often be offset by the energy savings and reduced maintenance.ā Jenkins suggests explaining to clients that SSL will require re-lamping less oftenāan especially strong selling point in vaulted spaces or exterior applications.
Ultimately, the SSL category is a work-in-progress, not a panacea. āLED is certainly very popular, and many designs would not be possible without it,ā The Lighting Practiceās Stephen Hoppe says, referring to exterior applications. āBut ceramic metal halide also provides great color rendition and warmth and can often be as efficient as LED.ā
James Benya of the California Lighting Technology Center, UC-Davis, has concerns about how codes and standards may be affecting the market for products and systems, particularly LEDs. He hopes to see energy codes and sustainable building standards that do not promote particular technologies.
āThe current trend shows a rush to use LEDs,ā warns Howard Brandston, founder of Brandston Partnership. āOne must determine if LED is the right choice after sifting through the qualities of all the alternate products. There is no change in the design process,ā he concludes, ājust an additional product to select from.ā
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