Commercial developers, homebuilders and even homeowners with remodeling projects are finding the many benefits of induction lighting save money and offer preferred lighting to work and living spaces

DENVER, CO-LED lighting move over. The new favorite son in green lighting is induction lighting, according to Allstar Electrical Services in Denver, CO. Gary Stone, president and founder of the 10-year-old Allstar Electrical contractors, says his Denver electricians have seen a significant interest in induction lighting compared to the former favorite, LED, and for good reasons.

LED lighting is both perceived as too costly and has reliability issues, he says.

Induction lighting, on the other hand, is a fluorescent-type bulb that can save up to 40%-50% more than traditional fluorescent lighting. Plus, Induction lighting is more stable: The lifetime expectancy of Induction lighting can be as high as 10 years, says Stone.  The electrician, whose company performs maintenance services for commercial buildings as well as electrical repairs and installation, adds that stability is a feature that property manager clients demand, making LED lighting a less preferred option to adopt on a large scale.

The difference between LED lighting and Induction comes down to the difference in the need for low-level “mood” lighting or functional work-space lighting, explains Stone.

“LED works well under 25 watts and can last at that level, but at higher wattages, the system efficiency deteriorates, heats goes wild, and the life expectancy of the bulb is cut short,” he notes. “It’s common for Chinese-made LED lights and fixtures to fail after only 1,000 hours.”

Induction lighting comes in cheaper and more effective above 40W and the lifetime expectance is realistically 100,000 hours (10 years), says Stone.

“Combining the two forms of lighting-Induction and low-wattage LED-results in better use of lighting and increased savings,” says Stone. “Both are long lasting and energy efficient. The architects and designers we support are calling for this combination in bid specifications. Even individual homeowners are beginning to introduce Induction lighting into their home remodeling, achieving high-level design style with full-on effective lighting.”

Induction lamps are ideally suited for high-ceiling applications where the lamps are difficult, costly or hazardous to access. They are also preferred when in extremely cold temperatures-warehouses, industrial buildings, signage, outdoor security fixtures, parking garages, public spaces, and even freezer and cold storage lighting.

Induction lighting is similar to fluorescent lighting in that mercury in a gas fill inside the bulb is excited, emits UV radiation that in turn is converted into visible white light by the phosphor coating on the bulb. The phosphor coating determines the color qualities of the light. Fluorescent lamps use electrodes to strike the arc and initiate the flow of current through the lamp; each time voltage is supplied by the ballast and the arc is struck, the electrodes degrade a little, eventually causing the lamp to fail. Induction lamps do not use electrodes. Instead of a ballast, Induction lamps use a high-frequency generator with a power coupler. The generator produces a radio frequency magnetic field to excite gas fill. With no electrodes, the lamp lasts longer.

The advantages of switching to Induction lighting, says electrician Stone, include:

• savings from a ridiculously extended service life
• highest wattage outputs (up to 400 watts) amongst induction lighting systems
• proprietary heat dissipation designs
• dimmable electronic ballasts.

Another  advantage of induction lighting are improved color, and Stone notes that customers long averse to the white glow of traditional fluorescent lights or the sharp glare of LED lighting prefer the warm light tones possible with induction lighting.

Stone has been a master electrician in Denver for more than 35 years, and formed Allstar Electrical more than a decade ago so he could hands-on manage multi-million dollar commercial projects and even house calls for switch repairs with an attention to his own sense of quality, economy and ecology. Allstar Electrical has received numerous awards from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors, and the firm is called upon time and again by commercial and residential developers and individual homeowners who appreciate the work.

Contact Allstar Electrical at (303) 399-7420 or visit www.allstarelectrical.com for online coupon savings.