Stadium lights are important in any stadium and outdoor sports venues. The spaces host many events that include flea markets, sports, outdoor games, and concerts. Having bright lights is important because they provide adequate lighting for the sporting teams and any other person on the field. Moreover, they allow visitors and spectators to move into the stadium and leave easily and safely.
Advantages of using LED lights in high school football field
After the installation of LED lights in a school stadium that lacks a quality source of illumination, more events can take place within the space because of the increased brightness. The lights increase usefulness and versatility of the outdoor sports venue in addition to providing more value for the owners and operators of that stadium. Here are the key benefits of going for the LED lights.
1. Controllable light output
Most people take the stadium lighting for granted, particularly the fans. However, the lighting should consist of sophisticated control systems and swift communication. The pairing of LED technology with some of the advanced lighting controls will boost energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. You can choose to switch on all the lights during a competition, but all of them should not operate at the full level during warm-ups, timeouts and clean up. You can lower the light output by around 50 percent.
2. Perfect for broadcasting
The available metal halide lights provide adequate lighting for sports arenas and stadiums but the manufacturers do not consider the TV broadcast when designing them. Cameras do not see light how our eyes see it. The modern cameras are able to pick up some green, blue and red and they mix the colors to make digital broadcasting.
A lamp that works perfectly for the fans on stands will not work well for the fans following the match through their television or smartphone. LED lamps do not flicker, which means that they cannot distract TV broadcasting.
3. LED lighting improve a game
When installed in a stadium, LED lamps provide uniform light that helps the players to see the ball clearly at different speeds. Use of metal halide lights in the spaces results in dark spots and bright spots. When a ball is travelling through the shadows dark spots create, it appears to be speeding or slowing down. That is a huge problem for the player, who has less than one second to make a decision.
4. Eco-friendly
Another benefit of LED lamps is that they are environmentally friendly. Manufacturers do not use hazardous chemicals to manufacture LED lamps. Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and therefore you will have to dispose of them off in a special way. Around 95 percent of LED lamps are recyclable. After their lifespan ends, you just need to contact the local recycler to know there are any instructions you will have to follow. Some manufacturers have recycling programs that require you to send the LED lamps back to them for recycling.
5. Longer life
LED lamps have a longer lifespan. A quick example, the standard incandescent bulbs generally last for 750-2,000 hours and a fluorescent lamp can last for around 20,000 hours. LED lamps can function for over 100,000 hours. That should tell you that you will not purchase many of them and you will reduce the labor costs – you do not have to hire someone to monitor them and change those that go off.
And when the lamp life ends, it does not go off immediately like the incandescent lamps. The LED diodes start operating at a low energy level and as a result, the lamp loses brightness. The manufacturers do not use fragile materials, such as glass to produce the lamps, the lamps can withstand more than the fluorescent and incandescent bulbs can. They are therefore durable.
6. Energy efficiency
LED lights are energy efficient. The lamps provide around 80-90 percent energy efficiency as compared to the traditional light bulbs. In other words, after turning on the LED lamps, around 80 percent of the energy of the supplied energy goes to the making of light and the lights release the remaining 20 percent as heat.
Even though the 20 percent is seemingly more, it is incomparable to the 80 percent incandescent loses in the form of heat. That should tell you that there is a lot of saving in terms of the money spent on energy and the energy used. And because the lamps emit minimal heat, they are safe to touch.
Drawbacks
So, which are the disadvantages of the LED lamps for school stadiums?
1. They are expensive
The biggest disadvantage of LED lamps relates to the high price. Even though the price has been dropping constantly, they are still more expensive than fluorescent and incandescent lamps. A quick example, the cost of LED lamps is generally $10-$40 while that of CFL lamps ranges between $3 and $5. However, you will have to keep in mind that the LEDs can last for many years and they are more cost-effective due to the low energy used and the reduced labor costs.
2. The color quality is not the best
Another problem of using LEDs relates to their inability of creating white light. To create white light, the lamps will require diodes of various colors, which when illuminated simultaneously will generate the white light. In the past, LEDs produced blueish light due to the combination. Moreover, the color quality of LEDs can start degrading. In the poorly designed lamps that cause flickering, unbalanced light and loss of brightness.
3. High temperatures might damage them
LED lights are more sensitive to temperatures. The temperature in the school stadium will have a direct impact on the functioning of the LED lamps. If the surrounding temperatures are very high, the lamp might overdrive and fail. Therefore, LEDs require heat sinks to keep them cool and prevent failing.
Conclusion
Experts are emphasizing on the environment and unsurprisingly, contractors, homeowners, and schools are now going for the green products. When it comes to school stadium lighting, LED lighting is the best option due to environmentally friendly and energy efficiency. However, before going for the lights, you will have to consider the pros and cons to know whether they are the best choice for your school stadium.