February 19, 2007

LEDs are the most durable and long-lasting lighting technology available. But all LEDs are not created equal and the difference between high quality and long lasting LEDs and average LEDs is all about thermal management.

Heat is the primary enemy of LEDs. Excessive heat is the primary cause of degradation of lumen output and decreased longevity in LED lights. Because LED technology is relatively new in many applications such as landscape lighting, many manufacturers are still learning how to make a fixture that effectively manages heat. Other companies are simply trying to retro-fit halogen fixtures with LEDs. This is not a viable solution for LED lighting.

When evaluating a LED landscape lighting system it is important to make sure that the system has a good heat management system. LED fixtures manage heat in many different ways including increasing the surface area of the fixture and utilizing heat sink components. There are several ways to manage heat in an LED fixture but its important to ensure that any landscape lighting fixture using LED technology has a proper thermal management solution. A simple MR-16 replacement bulb won't last.