Typical LED lights are found everywhere from planes to computers. It is obvious to know that LEDs are widespread in usage, but you must know the precise reasons why people love the fixtures so much. Know more about why consumers should get LED lights, including the many benefits and uses. Then, review a detailed guide to help you make good selections.
1. Reasons Why LED Light Bulbs are Popularly Used
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are not destined only to be used in computers and cell phones. LED lights have graduated from being used in electronics to being used in household light bulbs. More and more people are making good use of LED light bulbs. The reasons are understandable because LED lights are extremely energy efficient, ecofriendly, affordable and long lasting. Nowadays, find LEDs in almost every type of building and construction structure out there. As a consumer of lighting products, figure out what makes these LED light bulbs so popular.
Affordability
There are more LED costs available for you than there were decades ago. As the technology becomes more advanced, the prices will continue to drop. Nowadays, the prices vary from $5 to $40 in various stores.
Security Floodlighting
LED security floodlights are designed to increase the security of a large public area like a parking lot or football field. The light usually switches on automatically when motion or light is detected. An LED or halogen lamp is typically used due to its long lifespan and bright, unwavering light. Floodlighting is necessary to prevent break-ins and deter theft.
Vanity lighting
There are all kinds of vanity lighting products made to dress up your bathroom. These light fixtures come in different sizes and styles. The materials vary from glass to opal to bronze, depending on the surrounding design of the bathroom. Choose how much you want to adjust your light by having it point upwards, sideways or downwards. For a dimmer, softer illumination, consider using your vanity lighting with a diffuser.
Decorative lighting
It is well known that LEDs look good when used as holiday lights. Most fixtures are specially made for outdoor use, so improve the look of any room or structure on your property. LED light bulbs always remain cool to the touch, no matter how hot it gets in the room. The bulbs do not burst or flicker under any extreme condition.
It is important to know the many different styles of LED lights found on the market. For the most part, there are bulbs that are large or miniature in size. Also, there is the icicle style of LED lighting that resembles strings of icicles, which look good hung on rooflines. Similar to icicles, net lights are large canvasses of lights that are placed over items like bushes or trees.
2. The Basic Advantages of Using LED Lights
There are many advantages that come with the use of LED lights. People would not have found thousands of applications for lights that are not useful. Read about the most common reasons why people love LED lighting.
Energy efficiency
Unlike incandescent lights, the LED versions are more energy efficient. As a result, the lights reduce the amount of energy needed to illuminate an entire room or building. Energy efficiency is a necessary part of keeping your finances under control.
Minimal heat
LED lights are good for not wasting energy and creating large amounts of heat. As a result, the bulbs are never flammable or too hot to handle. Place these light fixtures in any room regardless of the temperature.
Eco friendliness
LED lights are Eco-friendly as much as they are energy efficient. The bulbs do not release any toxins or fumes that pollute the land or water. The bulbs are encased in glass material that is strong enough not to break. However, fluorescent lights are known for containing mercury that could get released into the environment.
Durability
The average LED lights are durable enough not to break and last longer than most people live. Do not worry about making any constant replacements when you invest in LED units. Your lights are guaranteed to look and function the same way they did decades ago. LEDs last for 50,000 hours on a minimum, which is the longest for any type of light. Fluorescent lights last for a minimum of 10,000 hours, and incandescent ones last for at least 10,000 hours.
Resistance
In addition to being resistant to breakage, LED bulbs are resistant to extreme cold or hot temperatures. That means that the bulbs will not explode or act unnaturally under any circumstance. String up your lights anywhere from ice cold roofs to warm fireplace mantles.
Fast startups
Wait only a few seconds before the lights turn on and work at full capacity. With some incandescent lights, you have to wait a few minutes before they shine at the brightest level. The LED startup times are always fast and efficient every time.
3. Light Bulb Buyers Guide: How to Pick the Right Bulb
Invest in a light bulb buyers’ guide that helps you make the best bulb selection. First, you want to know as much about LED bulbs and all the other types. The more information you gather about the topic, the better you are able to make the best selections.
Incandescent lights
Historically, incandescent light bulbs were used by nearly everyone. The lights were white and basic without too many features or color options. Using incandescent lights completed the simple task of lighting a room. The bulbs are cheap and dimmable to your preferred level of illumination. However, compared to LEDs and fluorescents, incandescent are the least efficient choice. The lights waste a lot of energy and get very hot after a while.
Fluorescent lights
Fluorescent lights are more energy efficient and expensive than incandescent ones. There are regular and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) made for use in homes and businesses. Unlike incandescent, the CFLs come with more features and colors. The lifespan is at least four times longer, which means there are fewer replacements. However, the dimmable switches do not work as well as they do on incandescent lights.
Halogen lights
Halogen light bulbs are known for an intense, bright white light that illuminates the dimmest areas well. The bulbs are small enough to be placed in a variety of light fixtures. There are many applications, such as car headlights, theater stage shows, parking lot security, desk lamps and construction sites.
High intensity discharge lamps
High intensity discharge lamps (HIDs) are beneficial in areas that require broad, high-intensity lighting. These places stay lit for many hours, so energy efficiency is important, too. Indoor gardens need sufficient illumination and so do outdoor football fields at night. HIDs are brighter than halogens and used to replace some car and street lamps.
The street lighting of today makes good use of HID lamps. These lamps consume little energy and provide the brightest level of illumination. However, many lamps include outdated forms of mercury vapour or metal halide. The light output depreciates steadily over time. Today, the sales of new lamps are prohibited. Metal halide lamps emit UV rays and work at high, potentially dangerous pressures. Special fixtures reduce the fire and accident risks that come with constant use.
High pressure sodium (HPS) lamps do not illuminate colors effectively and produce an unsightly yellow color. These lamps contain mercury and lead that pollutes the environment easily if thrown away improperly. HID streetlights also include the use of fluorescent, compact fluorescent and LED bulbs. There are also induction lamps that use radio or microwaves to create light.
Emergency lights
There is an undeniable importance of emergency light bulbs and choosing the right ones. You cannot expect to increase your chances of surviving any fire or blackout without illumination. In many cities, these lights are required to be installed and maintained properly. The types and uses of emergency lights have changed over the decades. Based on building codes, emergency lights are typically placed along egress paths where people need to exit. Emergency LEDs come in different colors like red, white and blue. You must keep an emergency system powered by a strong battery or electrical source.
Lumens
People mostly use watts to measure amounts of energy. To determine the brightness of LED lights, people use measurements known as lumens. That is because watts are not entirely accurate measurements of brightness. Knowing how to convert watts into lumens is an important skill for anyone buying LED lights.
Color rendering index
The color rendering index (CRI) is used to measure how well light is able to render color. People need to tell the warm incandescent lights apart from the cool fluorescent ones. CRI is measured on a numerical scale with the lowest number being the most distorted one. Incandescent lights provide a different rendering quality than fluorescent and LED ones.
Color varieties
There are different colors that come with different types of lights. Traditional incandescent and fluorescent lamps emit a warm light. LEDs and CFLs provide a large variety of colors from daylight to cool white to warm white. Kelvin is the measurement for color temperature that varies from 2700K up to 6500K.
Bulb shapes
There are many different shapes of light bulbs being sold today. The A-line shape is the most popular one found in different types of bases. The globe bulb comes in a large, well-rounded shape that looks like the earth’s globe. The reflector bulb is wider in diameter and flatter on top. It is made to control the directional output of the light like a spotlight. The candle bulb resembles a small candle flame. Most of these bulbs are used in chandeliers. Likewise, the torpedo bulb is small and shaped like a torpedo. The tubular bulbs are long and vertically shaped like tubes. The spiral coil bulb is the ideal shape for users of CFLs. The look is stylish and designed to give good illumination.
Mercury content
Many people worry about the amount of mercury found in an average fluorescent bulb. However, the average amount is very small – as much as 4 milligrams. The average thermometer has about 500 mg of the hazardous chemical. Even so, users must recycle regularly and be careful when throwing away lamps.
Dimmable models
There are dimmable and no-dimmable versions available for light bulbs. Look for the special indicator on the product packaging. Before you operate anything, review the instructions. One dimmer can only handle so many lamps at one time. Dimmable bulbs should only work with the dimmers that are recommended. Check the manufacturer’s list of compatible models to find the best match.
Indoor and outdoor bulbs
Basically, you cannot use an indoor fixture for an outdoor setting. The outdoor bulbs are specially made to resist moisture and natural elements like rain and snow. Find the best bulbs for landscaping or floodlighting endeavors that take place outdoors. The bulbs you install in sconces and lamp posts are not the same ones you install in garage fixtures. When you buy outdoor bulbs, such as floodlights and wall packs, know the specific wattage and voltage you need.
Also, recognize three main types of outdoor fixtures: enclosed, protected and unprotected. Enclosed light fixtures do not permit any entry or exit of substances like water or air. Protected fixtures have openings that protect against water, and unprotected ones have openings that allow in water and everything else. Additional outdoor fixtures are designed to repel bugs, fit swimming pools and illuminate streets or parking lots.
Find the ideal light bulb
Researching and buying light bulbs are inevitable tasks of life. The ways these products are manufactured have changed dramatically over a short period of time. The sizes, shapes and types of light bulb fixtures are different. The number of colors and designs being offered are not the same. There are blue bulbs, energy efficient ones, spiral coil ones, halogen lamps, LED mini lights and much more. Not all bulbs are designed for the same use, so you must find the right ones for your specific lighting needs.
