Many of us are looking increasingly to become more environmentally friendly. Converting to energy efficient LED lighting is just one of the ways you can do this.
Of course, it doesn’t just happen. There are certain steps to take when changing to energy efficient lighting, and this article will take you through them.
The benefits of LED lighting
By converting to energy efficient light-emitting diodes (LED), you are not just doing your bit for the environment.
One of the most obvious positives for you is saving money. Incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of 1,000 hours whereas LEDs have one of 100,000 – over eleven years. While that figure does depend on other operating currents and temperature, the lifespan is still longer than incandescent bulbs. As a result, you make considerable savings.
Looking at the benefits for the environment, LED lighting is pretty awesome. By lessening the energy used, they demand less from power plants and contribute to a decline in greenhouse gas emissions.
There are many benefits of energy efficient LED lighting and these are only just some of them.
Where do I start?
Now you know why they’re good, it’s natural to be a bit confused about where to start.
When converting to these new lights, you should start with the lights that are on the most. So, say if your living room light is on most of the time, you should replace that first and then move on.
This way, you will save more money and get started on the right foot.
To dim or not to dim: that is the question
LED lighting is more expensive than others in its simplest forms. If you want dimmable bulb, you will have to be prepared to pay a bit more for them too.
They are marked with a ‘dimmable’ symbol on the packet you buy them with which should be easy to spot.
If you’re opting for dimming bulbs, you will have to be careful about changing your dimmer switches. Sometimes, as LED lights use little energy anyway, you may need to change your switch. You should ask a professional to do this for you and get the job done properly.
Worrying about flickering as you dim the bulb is not necessary now. LED lights now light up straight away and when dimmed, maintain a constant light, rather than one like a flickering candle.
Choosing a light temperature
Such a thing as light temperature exists which basically means the colour of your light. Measured in Kelvin (K), there is a scale of how warm the light is.
The scale is accompanied by numbers and for your average old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, 2700K is the number you’re after. If you prefer a cooler light, 3000K is the one for you and the higher up you go on the scale, the whiter the light becomes.
If you’re really into a cold and quirky kind of lighting, 5000K and those around that mark will do the job. Just make sure to check the back of the pack of lightbulbs you buy to ensure they’re the right temperature for you.
We’d also recommend buying just one if it’s your first time and taking it home to test out how it looks. Make sure you’re comfortable with that light temperature. If you’re not, most places will be happy to swap the bulb to another one that suits you better.
Fitting energy efficient LED lighting
Before you get too carried away with buying your bulbs, you need to make sure you have the right fitting.
When converting to LED lighting, it’s best to take your old bulb with you when buying the new one. This way you’ll get the right fitting and avoid extra complications.
Replacing down-lights or spotlights in your house can complicate the fitting process. Wait until they are cold and switched off, remove one and check to see if it has pegs or pins.
If your bulb has pegs, it is mains voltage and can therefore be changed without any complications. If it has pins then you should take some advice from a professional as it is low voltage lighting and more complex.
Final tips
Converting to energy efficient LED lighting is a great way to save yourself some money and go that bit greener in the process. As the technology has increased since the first batch were released, these bulbs are far more reliable and practical.
Remember to understand which lights you use the most and start replacing from the most used onward. Before replacing, pick your colour and test one out in your house first to ensure it’s the right one for you. Make sure that you have the right fit (pins or pegs) and the knowledge – either from yourself or a professional – to install them.
Once you’re all done, you can take a seat, preferably under the new glow of your energy efficient LED lighting. Good luck!
