Fluorescent tube manufacturers claim about 79 lumens of light per watt, by contrast, the latest LED chips produce about 120 lumens per watt.

Whilst LED lighting is marginally dearer to buy, the payback comes very quickly in reduced energy costs - (usually less than a year)

With an approximate life expectancy of 9000 hours you can expect to replace a Fluorescent tube 5x or more before the LEDs 50,000 hours are up.

The often 'hidden' cost of replacing tubes is that you need access equipment and changing a tube is a bit more involved than changing a bulb at home, - therefore more expensive.

To get the full 79 lumens out of your Fluoresecnt tubes, they would have to be an optimum temperature of 25 degrees (typical indoor temperature) 15 degrees colder or hotter than this temperature will reduce the brightness by 15% with tests showing a drop off in brightness of around 20% over their life cycle.

Unlike fluorescent lights, LEDs actually work more efficiently in a cold environment because it helps with removal of heat. – ideal for typical British weather! and they tend not to start dimming appreciably until they reach their 50,000 hour life-cycle.

HMRC Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) energy scheme is encouraging businesses to invest in certain energy-saving technologies by providing tax allowances on qualifying products.

The scheme offers a 100% First-Year Allowance (FYA) for investments in certain energy saving plant and machinery. If you buy equipment that qualifies, you can write off, for example, 100% of the cost against that year's taxable profits.

Your Carbon Footprint is around 60% lower with LED's compared to fluorescent, - and because Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, they have to be disposed of via a WEEE Recycling Centre.

There are no such disposal issues with LED's