New trends can be just that, a trend. But in the case of LED lighting fixtures, this trend is here to stay. With traditional tungsten bulbs becoming obsolete, as homeowners we need to think carefully about what type of lighting we will use going forward. LED lights are a good option. Allow me to explain…
What Is LED lighting
LED, or Light Emitting Diode, lights use a small semi-conductor in place of the old fashioned element, which heats up, giving off light. In an LED light, the illumination produced gives off very little heat. These bulbs can be built to produce a wide array of light colors and will function almost identically to your standard light bulb.
What does it Offer?
You may have used LED flashlights and work lights before, and the blue-ish illumination can feel less than inspiring. Early attempts at creating LED fixtures for the home had similarly colored light. Today’s LEDs are brighter, and can be found in a wide variety of white shades, from cool to warm.
The same effects achieved with traditional bulbs can be created with LEDs. When selecting LED fixtures, choose as you would for traditional lights. Start with style, and the amount and pattern of light they cast. You will find that LED lights give a very similar look and feel.
Incorporating LEDs in Your Home
One quick and easy way to incorporate LEDs is to use them as replacement bulbs in your traditional lights. They come in most common sizes and are rated to be equivalent to a specific wattage of bulb. They install and operate with standard wiring, and you will not notice a drastic difference.
Secondly, you can incorporate LEDs through the purchase and installation of specialty fixtures. LED lights come in strip lighting, for areas under cabinets and behind mirrors. They also come in low voltage fixtures, such as sconces and pendants. In some cases, the light may be adjustable, to cast light in the color of your choice.
Benefits of LED lights
There is sure to be some initial sticker shock for the first time buyer of LED light bulbs. They tend to be slightly more expensive than traditional bulbs. There are two major benefits that LED bulbs have over traditional bulbs that more than account for this initial investment.
LED bulbs, when compared to traditional tungsten bulbs, use nearly 90% less electric energy to operate. A traditional 60 watt bulb will use nearly 600 kilowatt hours of power in a year, adding up to hundreds of dollars in utility costs. An equivalent LED bulb will use 85 kilowatt hours, in that same fixture, in a year, meaning hundreds in savings.
Home owners can also expect LED bulbs to last much longer than the bulbs they are used to. A standard, 60 watt bulb can last up to 6 months or a year if not used regularly. An equivalent LED bulb will typically last up to 40 times as long, or up to 20 years, without needing to be changed.
A Great Place to Start
When looking for new fixtures, consider LED. The combined energy savings, product longevity, and versatility make them an excellent value. They can be used in places where traditional lights would be problematic, and with color change technology, they have the ability to add more to your décor than traditional lights.
Start incorporating LED lights in your existing fixtures by replacing bulbs as they burn out with LED alternatives. You will notice an immediate savings in electricity and you can save time changing bulbs. By choosing the right color of LED, you can have a similar lighting effect in every room in the house.
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