• OLED Lighting: Switch Now or Wait?

    Are you ready to make the change to OLED lighting? Read why this planar light source is gaining ground.

    April 23, 2015
    4 min read
    1651071462103 Oled
    OLEDs - An Emerging Technology

    Trumpeted as a solution for high-end TVs, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology is gradually emerging as a viable lighting alternative for commercial applications. The same properties that make it desirable for luxury flat-screen televisions – namely, its brightness and super-slim form factor – show promise for lighting applications too. 

    Indeed, lighting manufacturers are increasingly wading into the OLED market, thanks in part to OLED innovations from the display industry. LG's thin panels are shaped into curves, loops and sheets in a number of lighting products, and 2018's Light + Building conference saw Luflex (a lighting manufacturer that uses LG OLEDs) premiering an outdoor booth with OLED samples in a spectrum of sizes, configurations and color temperatures.

    OLED vs. LED - What's the difference?

    Both technologies are classified as solid-state lighting, a type of lighting system that relies on semiconductors that convert electricity into light rather than filaments or gases encased in glass bulbs. However, the similarities end there. Differences in the materials and manufacturing processes used to make the two light sources lead to differing characteristics in the finished products. 

    “One of the main distinguishing characteristics of an LED is that it’s a point source, which makes it a good choice for directional applications. However, if you were to look directly at the diodes, they’re extremely bright,” explains Jeannine Wang, Director of Business Development for Acuity Brands’ OLED Business Group. “In order to be able to use the light in a useful fashion, glare control is a big consideration. You need optics to control the light from an LED source.”

    OLEDs, on the other hand, are thin sheets, with some models less than 0.5 mm thick. Light is produced by the whole sheet instead of by a diode but is comfortable to view directly without the aid of a diffuser or other optics.

    The thinness of the finished product is increasingly leading manufacturers to high-end architectural fixtures and task lights – in other words, “following the same path LED did before it,” says Ethan Biery, LED Engineering Leader for Lutron.

    Lifetimes for OLED haven’t quite caught up to LED (30,000-40,000 hours vs. 50,000-plus for LEDs), but they’re moving in the right direction.

    Hand-picked from interior + sources: VISA Lighting and the Evolution of Lighting Technology

    “OLED technology is still several years behind regular LEDs, so a lot of the things people are struggling with now were solved for LEDs years ago,” Biery adds. “However, the technology is rapidly improving. A lot of that has to do with the DOE – they’re pouring research and development dollars into incentivizing manufacturers to invest in better technologies and equipment. OLEDs are still a few years out from mass commercial adoption, but you can already find some residential OLED fixtures in Home Depot.”

    OLED Best Practices

    Ready to take the plunge and try out an OLED fixture in your facility? Take these tips into consideration as you compare products.

    1) Don’t neglect electronics. “A lot of the focus right now is on the neat things OLED can do, but it all comes back to the driver behind it,” Biery says. “If you don’t have the right driver, the control, dimming, and performance of the overall system can vary. The driver is like the transmission of the car – it makes sure everything else is working. If you don’t have that, the fixture is going to fail.”

    2) Make sure your fixtures are sealed properly. The organic materials in OLEDs are more susceptible to environmental contamination and moisture than LEDs, Biery explains.

    Without proper sealing, these contaminants can degrade OLED components, so make sure to evaluate potential purchases to ensure good manufacturing practices.

    3) Evaluate OLEDs just like any other light source. “Today, there are really no technical challenges for using OLEDs. It’s a cost budgeting consideration,” says Wang. “In terms of installation, they’re no different than other lighting products, and the drivers are basically identical to what you’d see for LEDs.”

    Adds Biery, “The questions to ask an OLED vendor are the same ones you’d ask a regular vendor – you’ll want to know about performance and warranty.”

    Did you know: Lighting Can Disinfect Your Facility's Workspaces

    Janelle Penny ([email protected]) is senior editor of BUILDINGS.

    This article was updated on May 10, 2018; originally written on May 1, 2015.

    About the Author

    Janelle Penny

    Editor-in-Chief at BUILDINGS

    Janelle Penny has been with BUILDINGS since 2010. She is a two-time FOLIO: Eddie award winner who aims to deliver practical, actionable content for building owners and facilities professionals.

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Sign up for our Newsletter
    Get the latest news and updates.

    Latest from Lighting

    Courtesy of Cooper Lighting Solutions
    High-efficiency LED lighting and intelligent lighting controls can yield measurable cost savings and sustainability benefits in data centers.
    Advanced lighting strategies should be more than an afterthought in today’s data centers—they’re part of a larger optimization strategy that helps save money and ensure more efficient...
    May 5, 2025
    ID 31120886 © Katarzyna Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.com
    Is your office ready for a refresh?
    Is your office ready for a renovation? These few changes can make a major impact.
    March 31, 2025

    Sponsored