Leds Hit The Streets

摘要

Due in part to slumping home values that have taken a toll on property tax receipts, bigger cities are taking a close look at replacing their old streetlights with energy-saving light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Rather than a glass lens, the LED fixtures have a flat glass surface dotted with 60 or so led lamps arranged in a geometric pattern. One of the benefits of the new lights is that they do not cast a harsh glare in all directions and instead focus light at the street below. LEDs typically last at least twice as long as conventional bulbs and use 40 percent less energy. With no warm-up time, greater clarity and uniformity than other technologies, and no mercury content (which many street-light technologies have), led fixtures offer an attractive option for street lighting applications.