The benefits of using LED lighting in the RV

For those who have an RV there is nothing more enjoyable than the open road and the freedom that you have while you are on it. Your RV is an extension of your home, and you want it to be the best, most efficient working machine possible. That is why it can sometimes be frustrating when you seem to do all you can and yet everything doesn’t work to the optimal level you feel they are capable of.

A prime example of this can be seen in lighting, and there is some debate about whether or not replacing the standard lighting in an RV with LED lighting has any real world benefit. You may be surprised to learn that there is actually a clear answer to this question. This is not intended to be a debunking or endorsement of any particular brand or system, it is simply laying out the facts.

To begin with first examine the general construction of the LED light compared to the traditional incandescent or compact fluorescent bulb. Standard bulbs have filaments that can easily break if under stress, vibration, or impact. As any one who has ever traveled in an RV knows this is the general standard existence when it comes to the road.

Compact fluorescent bulbs don’t have a filament; however they do contain phosphor and mercury, which the Government has indicated that the amount contained in one broken compact fluorescent is not sufficient to make anyone ill. However any exposure to mercury is not good and should be avoided.

LED lamps on the other hand are not made with a filament or any kind of chemicals to create the light. Because of this they are resistant to vibration or impact, and this combined with their general construction makes them remarkably durable and long lasting.

The incandescent has an approximate lifespan of about 750 hours, or an entire month of running non stop. The compact fluorescent bulb can last about 10,000 hours or approximately a year and a half of running continuously. This is vastly superior to the standard bulb; however LED lighting is nearly off the chart in comparison. The average lifespan for LED lighting is about 100,000 hours, or what amounts to about 11 and a half years. Although the upfront cost for LEDs is more (about $20 a bulb) you may never have to buy another one, which makes them extremely cost efficient.

In addition to the general cost, the power consumption of these remarkable lights is unbelievable as well. To have the basic light necessary to read a book you would need to use something in the area of a 40 watt bulb. To achieve this same amount of illumination with LED flashlights you would only need to produce 1.5 watts of power.

With the speed of technological advancements not only would LED lighting save you in energy costs on a regular basis, but they will likely outlive the technology and there will possibly be something new before you have to change one.

Although there are in fact some significant upfront costs when you consider replacing all of the lights you may have, ultimately the transition will see real noticeable results. LED lighting is the future of where standard lighting will be and as manufacturing costs continue to drop so too will the consumer price.