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Benefits of using LED lights in interior

June 5, 2019

Do you consider yourself an eco-friendly person? We should all be at least to some extent, meaning we should all take care of the environment any way we can. There are many processes that enable us to do so, and one of the things that are good for the environment are definitely LED lights. Are you familiar with all their benefits? They sure have a lot, yet here you can read about some of them. Hopefully, you will like it enough to consider using LED lights yourself.

This energy efficient lighting is actually cheaper in the long run

Compared to the standard lighting, LED lights are more expensive. Yet, when you think about how energy efficient they are – it is worth all the extra money. Yes, you do pay for it more at first, but it pays off eventually, so in a way, you pay less because the investment is smart.

Did you know that traditional lights use up only 20% of the electricity? Everything else is transformed into heat. LED light use up to 90%. You will be able to save up your money in the long run. And what do you get? This lighting works with the electroluminescence process. This means that the bulbs need less energy. You get a lot of light with a small amount of energy exploited. It is a good bargain, don’t you think?

Looking good and lasting longer are sure their advantages!

They are not just practical, but they also look good when we are talking about both bigger and smaller spaces. This is because they are small in size, and this is what also makes them look more elegant than something else. They are quite flexible because they can fit anywhere. And what is even better, with these lights you can direct your light the way you want it. If we are talking about standard lights, this is not possible because their light is emitted in every direction.

Moreover, the fact they last longer should really win you over. Actually, they are the most long-lasting, having an ability to last to 50,000 hours. Fluorescent bulbs only last for 15 000 hours. There is a huge difference between these two, and you see which one is better. Maybe you will be shocked to find out that before they stop working completely, they can actually get to the impressive 100 000 hours.

There is nothing toxic about them

Every last compound of these lights is ecologically friendly and you do not have to worry about them containing something that is toxic. Unlike in them, mercury and other materials that are hazardous are found in fluorescent lights. When it comes to LED lights, they have a lovely virtue of being 100% recyclable and you can actually minimize them up to a third of your carbon footprint.

They are quite resistant

These lights are resistant to that extent it is impressive. They can easily deal with any kind of outward threats, unlike other types of lighting. They are made that way, meaning their fixtures are shock resistant, to begin with. They are more firmly built, so any vibrations that occur are nothing to them. It is also worth mentioning that they do not break down so quickly.

LED lights are made in such a way that we should all wish to have them at our homes and workplaces. They have so many great characteristics and benefits, like being eco-friendly and more lasting than other types of lights. If you decide to use them yourself, you will have no regrets and you will be happy to know you are doing something nice for the environment.

Rotterdam: A City that Thrives on Water

February 10, 2017

Lillian Connors

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When artist Jorge Bakker came up with an idea to fill an aquarium with floats containing model trees, little did he expect his installation to turn into reality. Trying to raise questions regarding the relationship between nature and people living in cities, Bakker surely couldn’t imagine that his concept would be recognized as something that should actually be given an opportunity to thrive in real life through groundbreaking architectural concepts.

Naturally, such recognition could only have come from people who understand, love and respect nature and who had to learn so much about it before making the most of what it gave them. So, if you find yourself in Rotterdam and see floating trees rooted in buoys next to the Floating Pavilion, another landmark in this Dutch city, it doesn’t mean your mind is playing tricks on you. On the contrary, you’ll be treated with one of the most eye-catching and original installations in this part of the world.

Water Square

Moving towards the modern city center, you might come across a square tucked in between a 19^th-century church and a long linear block containing houses, offices, a theater and two schools. This unused and dull space often used to be flooded, since it rains quite a lot in Rotterdam.

Most other places would have solved this problem differently, but not the local city council. A significant investment was made to convert this square into one of the most interesting and vibrant places in Rotterdam. Namely, three pools were created which fill up with water when it rains, and are then used as sports playgrounds and dancefloors. The Water Square is now one of the most popular attractions among both the locals and tourists.

Floating park, hotel,…

Another fascinating idea related to water and its preservation is the emerging Recycled Park, whose purpose is to use recycled plastic to create litter traps for marine litter, thus preventing it from entering the North Sea. The more plastic is retrieved, the bigger the Park will grow. However, the most important impact is, by all means, the protection of water.

And it is more than obvious that Rotterdam is not going to stop there. The list of projects being currently developed includes a floating subdivision of houses, a floating dairy farm and a floating hotel, deep down in the harbor, at the Innovation Dock.

Water management

Now, you might wonder how come the citizens of Rotterdam are so keen to manage water so carefully. The answer is pretty simple, actually. With almost two-thirds of their country below the sea level and their own town situated around six meters below the sea level, it’s clear that local authorities have to make the most of the advantages that water provides.

As we have seen, they often have to come up with innovative solutions, such as those for emergency storage during heavy downpours and systems for a delayed discharge of rainwater, which ensures that the city has enough high-quality water even during the driest spells.

That’s why the water storage is omnipresent in Rotterdam, with green roofs doing their part in creating a healthy, sustainable environment. They absorb rainwater, lower the runoff, which in turn leads to less pressure on the sewage system.

For almost a decade now, the City of Rotterdam has been running a subsidy scheme for supporting the installation of green roofs on private residential buildings, so more and more people are using this opportunity to improve their living conditions, help the environment and lower the installation costs.

It’s pretty obvious that Rotterdam has not only turned its potentially most dangerous enemy as a means of improving the quality of life of its citizens but has also made it a tourist attraction. It’s widely accepted that Rotterdam’s example is one of the best in terms of collaboration among key stakeholders and experts. Many have been calling it the “water city of the future” for quite some time now, and rightfully so. The way this city uses water should also help us all in our struggle to deal with the climate changes and the consequences they bring.

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