The recent Super Bowl was quite a shakeup, but not necessarily because of what happened in the last 30 seconds. Actually, it’s because this was the first Super Bowl ever to be lit entirely by LED lights. LED lighting is becoming increasingly popular with the sport because it reduces the electricity usage for lighting by about 75% over the old metal halide lights.

Minnesota Stadium will be the first newly constructed stadium to use all LED lighting. Mike Lorenz, President of Ephesus Lighting, Inc, said that “…sports and entertainment venue operators have come to understand that LED is the premier lighting solution….” Along with a massive reduction in operating costs, these LED systems offer other benefits over their predecessors. LED lights reach full brightness instantly, rather than taking 20 minutes to warm up. They also don’t generate nearly as much heat, provide a much more even lighting, and require far less maintenance. The lights made by Ephesus offer a lot more illumination compared to the old lights, requiring fewer fixtures to bathe the entire stadium in light.

LED lighting doesn’t need to be limited to big stadiums; you can use it in your own home to reduce your electricity consumption. LED bulbs use about 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and they are generally brighter as well. LED bulbs can last upwards of 20 years, so they’ll definitely outlast your old bulbs. They turn on instantly, unlike some CFLs, and they can be use indoors and outdoors in a variety of temperatures.