Use LEDs for RV,
Boat, and Home Lighting
A Tutorial from Sam
Penny, (c) 2008
An International Energy Agency (IEA) study finds that
19% of global electricity generation is taken for
lighting - that's more than is produced by hydro
or nuclear stations, and about the same that's
produced from natural gas. A global switch to
efficient lighting systems could trim the world's
electricity bill by nearly one-tenth.
The inefficient
lighting systems that we must replace for this
savings include
Incandescent bulbs
Halogen bulbs
Low-efficiency fluorescent tubes
High-loss "ballasts" for fluorescent
tubes
High-loss halogen
transformers
Mercury discharge lamps (often used in street
lighting)
Low-efficiency vehicle lighting
Fuel-based lighting in developing
countries
In most RVs and boats, lighting takes 50% or
more of the electricity used. The four most
inefficient systems are commonly found in RVs and
boats.
The "energy
saving" compact fluorescent fixtures now
available are from 3 to 4 times more efficient than
incandescent bulbs and low-efficiency fluorescent
tubes. That is good, but more is needed.
White Light Emitting
Diodes (LEDs) are 5 to 7 times more efficient, and
manufacturers are aiming for 16 times the efficiency.
LEDs are the lighting of the future.
It is prudent to
start now on the conversion to LED lighting. Where
better to start than in your RV or boat where
electrical power can be so scarce and expensive when
you need it the most. And if you depend on the sun
for your power, LEDs WILL make the difference between
staying out or finding more power.
For more information
and choices, visit the following links.
What Is An
LED?
Why Use LED
Lighting?
Recommended LED
Products
LED
Applications
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