The four main advantages of LEDs are the following:
- Increased lifetime from 50,000 up to 100,000 hours of operation
- LEDs are highly energy efficient. LEDs are capable to reach 140 lumen/Watt
- LEDs transmit very low or negligible amount of heat
Archive for the ‘ FAQ ’ Category
What makes LEDs more advantageous over other light source technologies?
Saturday, January 30th, 2010What is the definition of an LED?
Saturday, January 30th, 2010The LED stands for lighting emitting diode. The LED is an electromagnetic light source. In more detail the LED is a semiconductor diode that when is switched on (forward bias), electrons are able to recombine with free holes and energy is transmitted as light. This phenomenon is called electroluminescence and the semi-conductor’s energy gap determines the colour of the ligh.
When is the use of LED’s most cost effective?
Saturday, January 30th, 2010LEDs are most cost effective whenever there is a need for 24hr-12hr lighting. In simple terms, this assumption is based on the 50,000 hours of usage guarantee that leading LED manufacturers give for their products.
What is thermal mass?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Thermal mass, in the most general sense, describes the ability of any material to store heat.
For material to providea useful level of thermal mass, a combination of three basic properties is required:
- High specific heat capacity-To maximise the heat that can be stored per kg of material.
Benefits of designing with thermal mass?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Exploiting thermal mass on a year-round basis is not difficult, but does require consideration at the outset of the design process when requirements for the building form, fabric and orientation are being established. Providing this is done sympathetically, a more passive approach to design can realise benefits which include:
What is Passive Solar Design (PSD)?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009PSD basically optimises a building’s form, fabric, and orientation to maximise solar gain from autumn to spring, whilst minimising it during the warmer part of the summer. At the same time, daylighting is maximised at all times.
What is Bio Energy?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Bioenergy is the energy produced from biomass. Biomass is available from materials derived from biological sources. Biomass is any organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. As a fuel it may include wood., wood waste, straw, manure, sugar cane, and many other products from a variety of agricultural processes. Energy from biomass is produced by burning organic matter. Biomass is the solid form of ‘bioenergy’, but liquid fuels can also be generated from plant matter and this is referred to as ‘biofuel’. Biomass is carbon-based so when used as a fuel it also generates carbon emissions. However, the carbon that is released during combustion is equivalent to the amount that was absorbed during growth, and so the technology is carbon-neutral.
What is Wind Energy?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Wind Energy is the energy found in the wind that is grasped by Renewable Energy Systems Technology (REST) in order to generate power for human benefit. Wind turbines are the REST used to collect the wind resource and generate power. Today, wind turbines are used to generate electricity from the wind. There are two types of wind turbines, the horizontal axis turbine which is the most common one and the vertical axis turbine. The horizontal wind turbine is the most efficient and cost effective. Most of the wind turbines used for electricity generation are of this type. Wind turbines can be found in many sizes and outputs, from small battery charging turbines to the largest machines used to supply electricity to the grid.
What is Solar energy?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Solar energy is the energy of sun light. The temperature of the Sun’s surface reaches to a value of approximately 5,762 K. The Earth’s perimeter of 40,000km results in an intersected sun power of 174,000 TW. Attenuation by the atmosphere results in a peak intensity at sea level of around 1 kW/m2, giving a 24 hour annual average of 0.2 kW/m2 and a 24 hour annual average power of 102,000 TW. This commands the environment and maintains the life support system of the Earth’s ecosystem and all forms of renewable energy with the exception of geothermal energy. The solar energy reaching the earth’s surface surpasses 10,000 times the current global energy demand.
What is renewable energy?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Renewable energy is the energy that is grasped by the earth’s abundant natural sources. Renewable energy can be harnessed with the appropriate use of technology to satisfy the human energy needs. Solar, wind, wave, tidal, bio energy are termed as renewable. These renewable energy sources can be classified as ‘active’ or ‘passive’. Active renewable energy sources are renewable sources which with the use of renewable energy systems technology (REST) can generate power and heat to satisfy the energy and heating demands of buildings. Passive renewable energy sources are the renewable sources which with the use of static building elements can enhance the natural ventilation and the heating of a building.
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