Access Fixture launched two LED bollard light fixtures: 15w LED round flat-top bollard lights and 15w LED round dome-top bollard lights. Both styles feature LED arrays with LED chips and a high-performance, industry-leading specialized aluminum cone reflector. With the LED array mounted in the head of the bollard and the LEDs pointing down, out, and reflecting off the reflector, the design has proven tremendously effective. For years, the industry standards have been the 100w round flat top and 100w round dome top bollard lights with cone reflectors. The question is: How do the 15w bollard lights compare to the 100w bollard lights? Click on the chart below for a quick answer or read on for details.
Download the results of the 15w LED bollard light vs. 100w metal halide bollard light test.”
Key Takeaways
-
-
Significant Energy Savings: LED bollard lights are far more energy-efficient than PSMH bollard lights, consuming 87% less energy. This difference results in substantial cost savings, with LED bollards costing significantly less annually to operate compared to their PSMH counterparts.
-
Longevity and Consistent Performance: LED bollard lights maintain a more consistent lumen output over their lifespan compared to PSMH lights, which experience rapid lumen depreciation. Moreover, LED lights require less frequent replacements, supporting their higher initial cost-effectiveness over time.
-
Overall Cost Efficiency: Over a ten-year period, LED bollard lights offer significant savings in terms of energy consumption and maintenance costs compared to PSMH lights. This results in a total cost saving of approximately $1,304.30 per bollard, highlighting the long-term financial benefits of choosing LED technology for outdoor lighting solutions.
-
Bollard Light Efficiency & Energy Use – LED Bollard Light Fixtures vs PSMH Bollard Lights
When looking at energy efficiency, we can see that a 100w PSMH bollard light (including the lamp and ballast) uses a total of 129 system watts, while a 15w LED bollard light (including the array and driver) uses only 17 watts. This means the LED bollard uses 87% less energy. Based on $0.16/kWh, the annual energy cost to operate an LED bollard light is only $9.86; conversely, a PSMH bollard light costs $74.82.
Comparing Light Output – LED Bollard Light Fixtures vs. PSMH Bollard Lights
LED bollard light fixtures do not sacrifice performance for energy efficiency, though it may seem so when comparing the initial lumens of each light source. The 100w PSMH lamp and ballast produce 8,500 initial light source lumens while the LEDs and driver produce only 2,089, but this data point does not tell the whole story. The 100w PSMH lamp suffers rapid lumen depreciation, whereas the LED maintains a more consistent lumen output throughout its lifetime.
The specific design of each bollard light affects its performance. When energy use was not considered a relevant issue, bollard lights were designed with a luminaire efficacy of 24%. That means only a small amount of the lumens from a PSMH lamp were usable. This is still the case with PSMH bollard lights used today. The 15w LED bollard light, however, has a 62% luminaire efficacy and emits a far greater percentage of its luminaire lumens.
To summarize: Despite drastically different wattage consumption rates, after 4,000 hours of operation, the two bollard lights produce similar light levels. The 100w PSMH bollard emits 1,320 lumens and the 15w LED bollard emits 1,191 lumens.
Comparing Maintenance—LED vs. PSMH Bollard Lights
LED has other benefits, too. The 100w PSMH lamp needs to be replaced every 10,000 hours, while LED chips still emit 70% of their initial light output after 50,000 hours. LED also has a higher color rendering (CRI) index of 83, as opposed to the 63 offered by PSMH.
Summary—LED vs. PSMH Bollard Lights
What is the total savings after ten years? The replacement cost for PSMH lamps is currently $16.70 a lamp. These lamps will need to be replaced approximately five times over ten years, for a total of $83.50. Combined with energy use, the ten-year operating cost for the PSMH bollard is $1,489.60. In comparison, the ten-year operating cost for the LED bollard is only $185.30, a difference of $1,304.30 per bollard light.
Speak to an Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist about Choosing the Right Fixture
Access Fixtures is your factory-direct source for all light fixtures needed to suitably illuminate your property. If you have a lighting question, we will be glad to answer your questions. We want to make sure you get the exact fixture for your needs, your budget, and your goals. We are passionate about lighting and love what we do—we’ll get you an answer. To speak with an Access Fixtures lighting specialist, call
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more energy efficient are LED bollard lights compared to PSMH bollard lights? LED bollard lights are significantly more energy-efficient, using only 17 watts compared to the 129 system watts used by a 100w PSMH bollard light. This results in an 87% reduction in energy consumption.
What are the annual energy costs for operating LED and PSMH bollard lights? Based on an electricity rate of $0.16 per kWh, the annual energy cost to operate a 15w LED bollard light is approximately $9.86, whereas a 100w PSMH bollard light costs about $74.82 annually.
Do LED bollard lights maintain their light output over time compared to PSMH bollard lights? Yes, LED bollard lights maintain a more consistent lumen output throughout their lifespan, unlike PSMH lamps, which experience rapid lumen depreciation. This consistent performance is crucial for reliable lighting over extended periods.
Can LED bollard lights match the initial light output of PSMH lights? While LED lights have a lower initial lumen output compared to PSMH lights (2,089 vs. 8,500 lumens), the effective luminaire efficacy of LEDs (62%) significantly outperforms that of PSMH lights (24%), making them comparably effective in practical applications.
What are the maintenance requirements for LED versus PSMH bollard lights? LED bollard lights require far less maintenance than PSMH lights. LED chips maintain about 70% of their initial light output after 50,000 hours of use, while PSMH lamps need replacement every 10,000 hours due to quicker lumen depreciation.
What is the difference in color rendering index (CRI) between LED and PSMH bollard lights? LED bollard lights typically have a higher CRI (around 83), which means they render colors more accurately compared to PSMH lamps that generally have a lower CRI of 63. This makes LEDs more suitable for spaces where true color representation is important.
What are the long-term cost savings of using LED bollard lights over PSMH bollard lights? Over a ten-year period, the operating costs for PSMH bollard lights can total approximately $1,489.60, primarily due to higher energy consumption and replacement costs. In contrast, LED bollard lights cost about $185.30 to operate over the same period, saving about $1,304.30 per bollard light.