Ideally, your home’s lighting should help set the ambiance of a room. However, when selecting lighting features for your property, it’s important to consider other important factors aside from aesthetic appeal such as longevity, cost and energy efficiency. LEDs are fast becoming a popular choice for lighting at home as they excel in all these areas. Here are some of the top benefits of choosing LED lighting:
The Advantage of LED Lighting
LEDs require far less energy compared with other lighting technologies like fluorescent. The former loses only 5% of their energy to generate heat while the rest is converted to light. Because of this, LEDs emit less heat making them perfect for homes in particularly hot areas. Less heat means there is less demand on your air conditioning unit, which can help you save up on energy expenses. This also makes LED features a safer option because they are less likely to overheat.
Proper electrical installation and maintenance is necessary to ensure the longevity of your LEDs and other lighting features. But, when you take that out of the equation, LEDs still last as much as 20 times longer than halogen lights. This is because the filament inside a traditional light bulb burns off tungsten every time it heats up causing it to get thinner and eventually pop over time.
LEDs are also a great, environmentally-friendly option. Since 10-20% of the average household bill comes from lighting, the more properties that switch to LED, the lower energy demand and the effect on the environment. Additionally, compared with traditional light bulbs that contain mercury and need to be disposed, LEDs can be recycled.
What to Consider Before Making the Switch
- Brightness – When buying a new light bulb, most homeowners base their decision on the watt indicator. After all a higher watt would mean a bright light, right? While this makes sense, it’s not entirely correct. Watts are actually the measure of the electricity a bulb consumes when operating. Since LEDs require a significantly lower amount of energy, you can’t simply switch from a 60W bulb to a 60W LED. If you want to switch to LED but retain your current light’s brightness, compare lumens.
- Cost – For a long time, LED lights have been on the more expensive side of the choices, so more consumers favoured the traditional light bulb. But today, LED technology has become much more affordable. And while they are still not as budget-friendly as bulbs, their great energy cost savings and long lifespan means they would cost you less in the long run. Make sure to have a fully qualified local electrician install your new light for you to maximise their benefits.
- Colour – Unlike incandescent bulbs that give off the same warm light, LEDs give you a wide variety of options. You can still choose a colour reminiscent of the traditional bulb but if you are looking to set a certain mood or highlight a specific area of your home, it’s best to choose an eye-catching colour. No need to worry about any increase in temperature when you select warmer shades, as LEDs emit light with a constant heat.
For complete electrical services, turn to ECS Services NSW. Schedule a consultation with our team to determine the best lighting solutions for your home.
