Do LEDs create heat?
LEDs create some heat, but the LED won’t feel hot to the touch like other light sources. Incandescent bulbs produce heat that is felt in the beam of light, much like the heat that is felt from sunlight. The light from an LED does not transmit this heat, but it creates heat that moves from surface to surface. As a result, the light from an LED does not create additional heat in a room. The heat generated can break down an LED and reduce the quality of the light. To combat the negative effects heat has on LED performance, luminaire manufacturers incorporate heat sinks in their designs to move the heat away from the LED. Like a cold spoon that warms up in a hot cup of water, the heat leaves the LED through the heat sink in a process called conduction. This reduces the impact of the heat, while still not putting any additional heat into the room.
