5 LED Lighting Benefits: Brighten Your Home While Lowering Your Bills
The light is winking at you.
That light in your ceiling fan flickers a few more times, then goes dark.
It’s the second time this year you’ve had to replace that incandescent bulb.
Why haven’t you switched to LEDs yet?
They last 10x as long and don’t burn your fingers when you unscrew them.
LED (light-emitting diode) lights have revolutionized the way we illuminate our homes, offering numerous advantages over their incandescent counterparts.
Here’s What You Should Know About LEDs
The Advantages of LED Lighting
LED lighting saves you money with lower electricity bills, fewer and far-between replacements, and fewer accidental breaks.
It doesn’t hurt that they are easily customizable to your home and don’t singe your fingers when you unscrew a freshly burnt-out bulb.
Below are the advantages laid out:
1. Energy Efficiency
One of the most significant benefits of LED lighting is its energy efficiency.
LEDs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
This efficiency is achieved because LEDs convert most of their energy into light rather than heat.
As a result, they use less electricity to produce the same amount of light, significantly reducing your energy consumption and, consequently, your electricity bills. They even increase your home’s value.
Consider this example:
If you replace ten 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 10-watt LED bulbs and use them for an average of 5 hours per day, you could save approximately $70 per year on your electricity bill, assuming an electricity rate of $0.12 per kilowatt-hour.
Multiply this savings by the number of bulbs in your home, and you'll see why LEDs are a cost-effective lighting solution.
2. Lifespan
LEDs have an impressive lifespan compared to incandescent bulbs—15 times longer.
While a standard incandescent bulb may last around 1,000 hours, LEDs can last anywhere from 15,000 to 50,000 hours or more, depending on the brand and usage.
This longevity means fewer bulb replacements and less maintenance over time, saving you money and hassle.
Not all LED bulbs are created equal.
Look for reputable brands and check for certifications such as ENERGY STAR, which ensures that the product meets strict energy efficiency and performance standards.
3. Durability
Unlike incandescent bulbs, which are made of fragile glass, LEDs are solid-state lights, making them more durable and resistant to impact.
This durability makes LEDs an excellent choice for areas where bulbs are more susceptible to damage, such as in outdoor fixtures or high-traffic areas of your home.
4. Safety
LEDs produce very little heat compared to incandescent bulbs, which can get extremely hot and pose a fire risk if they come into contact with flammable materials (or your fingers).
The lower operating temperature of LEDs makes them a safer option, especially in homes with children or pets.
5. Versatility
LEDs come in various shapes, sizes, and color temperatures, allowing you to customize your lighting to suit your needs and preferences.
Whether you want bright, cool lighting for your kitchen or warm, soft lighting for your living room, there's an LED option for every space.
Where to Use LED Lighting
LED lights can be used virtually anywhere in your home.
Here are some common applications:
General Lighting: Use LED bulbs in ceiling fixtures, lamps, and recessed lighting for everyday illumination. LEDs provide consistent, bright light that can be tailored to different rooms and activities.
Task Lighting: Install LED under-cabinet lights in the kitchen or LED desk lamps in your home office for focused lighting. The bright, directed light helps reduce eye strain and improves visibility for tasks like cooking or working.
Accent Lighting: Highlight artwork, architectural features, or plants with LED spotlights or strip lights. LEDs are perfect for creating dramatic effects and adding visual interest to your home décor.
Outdoor Lighting: Use LED floodlights, pathway lights, and wall sconces to illuminate your outdoor spaces efficiently and reliably. LEDs are durable and weather-resistant, making them ideal for exterior use in all conditions.
Decorative Lighting: Create ambiance with LED string lights or decorative fixtures in bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoor areas. LEDs offer a range of colors and styles to enhance the mood and aesthetic of your space.
Smart Home Systems: Control your lighting remotely, schedule when lights turn on or off, adjust brightness and color, and even use voice commands for hands-free operation. Smart LEDs can be used throughout your home in any fixture and are compatible with platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. ensure that the LED bulbs you choose are labeled as "smart" or "Wi-Fi-enabled" and compatible with your specific platform.
LEDs Wiring or Fixtures
In most cases, LEDs can be used in existing fixtures and systems without the need for rewiring.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind that may affect the wiring or fixture requirements:
Dimming Compatibility
If you want to use dimmable LEDs, ensure that your dimmer switch is compatible with LED technology.
Older dimmers designed for incandescent bulbs may not work correctly with LEDs and could cause:
flickering
buzzing
limited dimming range
Replacing the dimmer switch with one compatible with LEDs is often a simple fix.
Fixture Size and Shape
Some LED bulbs may not fit into older fixtures due to their size or shape.
If you encounter this issue, consider replacing the fixture or selecting a different LED bulb that matches the dimensions of your existing fixtures.
Heat Dissipation
While LEDs produce less heat than incandescent bulbs, they still need proper ventilation to dissipate any generated heat.
Ensure that your fixtures are designed to accommodate LEDs and allow for adequate airflow.
Long-Term Environmental Benefits of LEDs
In addition to the immediate financial benefits, switching to LED lighting also positively impacts the environment.
Here are some ways LEDs contribute to sustainability:
Reduced Energy Consumption
The energy efficiency of LEDs means less electricity demand, reducing the need for power generation from fossil fuels. This reduction in energy consumption helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and decreases your carbon footprint.
Decreased Waste
The long lifespan of LEDs means fewer bulbs end up in landfills, reducing waste and conserving resources. Additionally, many LED bulbs are recyclable, further minimizing their environmental impact.
No Hazardous Materials
Unlike compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which contain mercury, LEDs do not contain hazardous materials, making them safer for the environment and easier to dispose of responsibly.
Making to Switch to LEDs
As an electrician with years of experience in residential lighting, I've seen firsthand the transformative impact of LED lighting on homes.
Here are a few pieces of advice for homeowners considering the switch to LEDs:
1. Start Small
If you're unsure about switching to LEDs, start by replacing the bulbs in the most-used areas of your home, such as the kitchen, living room, and outdoor spaces.
This approach allows you to experience the benefits of LED lighting without a significant upfront investment.
2. Consider Bulb Brightness
LED bulbs come in various brightness levels, measured in lumens. Lumens indicate the amount of light emitted by a bulb, providing a clearer measure of brightness than wattage, which measures energy consumption.
Lower Lumen Values (around 450 lumens) are suitable for areas needing soft, ambient lighting, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Higher Lumen Values (800 lumens or more) are ideal for spaces requiring bright, focused lighting, like kitchens and workspaces.
3. Consider Color Temperature
LEDs are available in various color temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K). Choose the color temperature that suits the ambiance you want to create in each room.
Lower Kelvin values (2,700K to 3,000K) produce warm, yellowish light.
Higher Kelvin values (4,000K to 5,000K) produce cool, bluish light.
4. Consult a Professional
If you're unsure about the compatibility of your fixtures or have specific lighting needs, consult a licensed electrician.
They can provide expert guidance on selecting the right LED bulbs and fixtures and ensure that your electrical system is up to code.
5. Look for Quality
Not all LED bulbs are created equal.
Look for reputable brands and check for certifications such as ENERGY STAR, which ensures that the product meets strict energy efficiency and performance standards.
Flip the Switch with New London Electric
Don't wait any longer to enjoy the benefits of LED lighting.
If you need someone to climb the ladder and replace the bulbs in your entryway chandelier, are unsure if LEDs are compatible with your antique fixture, or need to find the right dimmer for your bulbs, we’re here to help.
No job is too small.
Reach out to New London Electric and let us illuminate your home with sustainable, cost-effective solutions.
Contact us today to get started on your lighting project!
FAQs
Can I use LED bulbs with my existing light fixtures?
Yes, in most cases, LED bulbs can be used with existing fixtures.
However, it's essential to ensure that the fixtures can accommodate the size and shape of the LED bulbs you choose.
Additionally, if you have dimmable fixtures, you'll need to use LED bulbs compatible with dimmer switches designed for LEDs.
Are LED lights more expensive than incandescent bulbs?
While the upfront cost of LED bulbs is higher than incandescent bulbs, they are more cost-effective in the long run due to their energy efficiency and longevity.
LEDs use significantly less electricity and last much longer, leading to savings on both energy bills and replacement costs over time.
Are LED lights compatible with smart home systems?
Yes, most LED lights are compatible with smart home systems.
Many LED bulbs are designed to work with popular smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
If you're looking to integrate your lighting with a smart home system, ensure that the LED bulbs you choose are:
labeled as "smart" or "Wi-Fi-enabled"
compatible with your specific platform
Do LED lights work in cold weather?
Yes, LED lights perform exceptionally well in cold weather, making them an excellent choice for outdoor lighting applications.
Unlike incandescent bulbs, which can become less efficient in cold temperatures, LEDs maintain their performance and brightness in a wide range of conditions.
How do I choose the right brightness level for my LED lights?
LED bulbs are available in various brightness levels, measured in lumens. To choose the right brightness, consider the lumens needed for your space.
As a general guide, a 60-watt incandescent bulb is equivalent to approximately 800 lumens in an LED bulb.
Select a higher lumen value for brighter lighting and a lower lumen value for dimmer lighting.
What are the color options for LED lights, and how do they affect ambiance?
LEDs come in a range of color temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K).
Lower Kelvin values (2,700K to 3,000K) provide warm, yellowish light suitable for cozy, relaxing spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.
Higher Kelvin values (4,000K to 5,000K) produce cool, bluish light ideal for task-oriented areas like kitchens and home offices. Choose the color temperature that matches the mood you want to create in each room.