Fluorescent tubes have consistently proven to be economical while producing the illumination required in working and public environments. In recent years, however, a newer form of light source has come to the forefront: the LED. Both fluorescent tubes and LEDs have their advantages and disadvantages, but LEDs seem to be winning the attention of consumers.

Let's take a look to see why that is, and why you should consider LED lighting over fluorescent tubes.

How they work

To explore why LEDs have advantages over fluorescent tubes, we must first understand how both work. Their designs and the way they operate are the two things that separate them.

Fluorescent lights

Fluorescent tubes and smaller compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) work in a strikingly different way to LEDs. Fluorescent tubes are made up of a long glass tube with metal fittings on each end where electricity is passed into them. Inside the glass tube is a small amount of magnesium and an inert gas (which does not normally react to stimulation such as heat or electricity). The inside of the glass is coated in a phosphorous powder. When electricity is passed into the metal caps at each end, it excites the magnesium inside the tube. Magnesium atoms then release energy in the form of ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the naked eye. When the ultraviolet light hits the phosphorous coating, the phosphorous begins to glow, which creates light.

LED lights

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Unlike both fluorescent and incandescent light sources, LEDs do not contain a gas or a filament of any kind. Instead, the entire LED is made up of a material called a semiconductor. This material is solid in nature, which makes LEDs more durable. When electricity is passed through the semiconductor material, the electrons inside release energy in the form of visible light.

Advantages of LEDs over fluorescent tubes

Long term cost

It is true that LEDs are initially more expensive than fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights, but they can provide huge potential savings over the long term. Incandescent lights last for a paltry 800 to 1500 hours, and fluorescent lights last up to 10,000 hours. LEDs can last up to 60,000 hours. LED lights can provide substantial savings, as a result of needing fewer replacements.

Maintenance

The amount of time spent replacing bulbs, especially in larger buildings, can be counterproductive. Due to the longer lifespan of an LED bulb over a fluorescent tube, maintenance and replacement times can be reduced markedly when LEDs are used.

Color

Fluorescent lights are notorious for their color profile. While some fluorescent tubes now use a different type of phosphorous powder to produce a warmer color, most fluorescents produce only a cold blue/white light. It is stark and not very welcoming. LEDs, on the other hand, provide all manner of different colors for any purpose. This is what makes LEDs so adaptable. They can be used in almost any environment or lighting situation.

No Heat

While fluorescent tubes emit less heat than incandescent and halogen bulbs, they still produce much more than LEDs. LEDs are lukewarm to the touch and therefore carry less risk of causing an accidental fire or burn.

​Fluorescent tubes are a great lighting option for those wishing to pay less initially for their needs. LEDs, however, provide long term savings, great performance, various colors, and do not contain any hazardous materials. It's easy to see why so many businesses are turning to LEDs as their number one choice for lighting.

Environmental impact

Fluorescent lights by their very nature must contain a small amount of mercury. This metal and vapor is extremely hazardous to both humans and the environment. If it is ingested or inhaled it can cause serious complications and as such must be disposed of safely. LEDs are completely safe and do not contain such poisonous materials, putting home owners and parents at ease while also knowing that they are not contributing to pollution.

Instant on

LEDs light up as soon as an electrical current is passed through them. Fluorescents require time to flicker before staying on. Many fluorescent lights do not provide optimum illumination levels until they have been running for a few minutes. LEDs provide instant light and instant full illumination.

Energy consumption

LEDs consume far less power than fluorescent tubes do. While fluorescents are technically energy saving light sources compared to incandescent bulbs, when contrasted with LEDs, there is no contest. LEDs use less electricity, which is better for the environment and your pocket.

Noise

Fluorescent tubes are notorious for being noisy, especially if they have been used for a significant amount of time. They tend to emit clicking and popping sounds intermittently, but most annoyingly, they can produce a low buzzing sound. Since fluorescent tubes are often used in offices and working environments this can be distracting. LEDs do not have this problem and operate silently.​

​Durable

Because LEDs are not made of glass and are hollow inside, they are far less fragile than both fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. This makes them more durable and less likely to being rendered inoperable due to being dropped or bashed accidentally. It also removes the possible danger of broken glass.

Request an audit