LED lighting is increasingly seen as a cost-effective and sustainable solution by building owners and the retail and hospitality sectors. Seen through the HVACR prism, it has a far-reaching positive impact on global warming.

Light-emitting diode, or LED lighting is a preferred choice of illumination in most new constructions compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. The obvious advantages LED lighting offers clearly tips the balance in its favour: It has a longer lifecycle, thus minimising the need for frequent replacements and putting pressure on landfills; it does not use mercury, a hazardous substance; it is energy-efficient and cost effective. To put it succinctly, it has a positive impact on energy bills and the environment.

Viewed from the HVACR standpoint, this translates into a major step forward for the sector. LED lighting emits light without the attendant heat. In fact, experts claim that LED fixtures emit as much as 95% less heat than their traditional counterparts. This reduces the heat load in a building, thereby reducing the pressure on air cooling systems, which consequently, consume fewer units of energy. This dramatically brings down the cost of running air conditioning systems. Apart from individual benefits to end users, building owners and real estate developers, it is also beneficial to the retail and the hospitality sectors. More significantly, it has a far-reaching ecological impact. A drastic reduction in carbon emission leads to corresponding reduction in carbon footprint of buildings, and, ultimately, global warming.

Given the demonstrable environmental benefits, the hospitality industry, in particular, with its constant operational demands has a significant potential to make large energy savings by switching over to LED lighting. Currently, 42% of energy usage comes from lighting, of which 70% is inefficient. Closer to home, reportedly, approximately 22% of the electricity used in the Middle East is spent on lighting, which is a higher rate compared to the rest of the world.

Seen in this light, Illuminesca, dedicated to LED, was an event aimed to raise awareness about new lighting solutions. The underlying purpose was to prove in real time through live demonstrations, why LED was a sustainable alternative in the long run. Organised by the Royal Philips Electronics, it was held on March 14 at the Dubai Festival City’s Intercontinental Hotel, and attracted stakeholders like engineers, architects, designers and management of hotels, malls and supermarkets. The event reportedly showcased the company’s latest retail and hospitality LED lighting innovations, which lay claim to reducing carbon emission, saving energy and lowering operational costs.