How are LED lights different from any other lights?
What is Incandescent Light?
The incandescent light is a classic light bulb that produces light by heating a wire filament to a temperature that results in the generation of light. The metal wire is surrounded by a translucent glass bulb that is either filled with an inert gas or vacuum.
This traditional light bulb is one of the worst in terms of energy efficiency. Incandescent bulbs typically only last about 1200 hours. These light bulbs also require a lot more watts and electricity. Incandescent bulbs typically don’t shine as bright as CFL and LED bulbs.
What is a Fluorescent Light or a CFL?
Fluorescent light bulbs are a specific type of gas-discharge light also known as a high-intensity discharge (HID). CFL or “compact fluorescent light” is a much smaller compact tube than Standard fluorescent lights, which are available in long tubes.
As the fluorescent light ages, more and more voltage is required to produce the same amount of light. Eventually, the voltage exceeds the fixed resistance provided by the ballast and the light goes out. Fluorescent lights become less and less efficient over time because they must use more and more voltage to produce the same lumen output as the light degrades.
Do LED Lights Make a Difference?
LED lights are different from incandescent and fluorescent lights in several ways. The most important 5 differences are:
- LED lighting is more energy-efficient compared to traditional lighting solutions. LED lights use up to 90% less power. The LED lighting technology provides the ideal light in an energy-saving and environmentally friendly way.
- LED lights produce very little heat- Incandescent lamps generate only about 5% light from the energy fed in, the remaining 95% is converted into heat. LEDs generate a much lower heat per wattage applied when compared to other bulbs, so the LED lifespan is much longer. About 40% of the used energy is converted into visible light and only 60% into heat.
- LEDs do not contain mercury- LED lights to contain no mercury (heavy silvery transition metal), making LEDs the safest lighting solution for any home, office, or workspace. This explains why CFL and fluorescent bulbs require careful handling and disposal if they burn out or get broken.
- LED lights operate in low voltage- Low-voltage LED lighting draws less power than standard voltage, which is connected with lower lighting costs for the entire household. This means LED lights can be safely left on for extended periods of time.
- LED lighting offers big cost savings-While LED lights are more expensive than halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent lights, they have a longer lifespan, so they are providing savings over a long period of time. That means that the LED bulbs don’t have to be changed for years.
Are LED lights a good investment for a home?
LED lights are good investment for home, especially if:
- You’re staying in your house for a longer period of time, investing in LED bulbs makes wise financial sense.
- You’re running lights 24/7 in frequently used areas of the home such as kitchen, living room, bathroom, porch/outdoor lighting…
- You have a light fixture that is hard to access, so frequently changing light bulbs isn’t desirable.
- You want to be more environmentally friendly and reduce your carbon footprint.
- You often forget to switch off lights when leaving the house, because LEDs emit very little heat and are safe without supervision.
If you invest in LED bulbs for your Residential space right now, you’ll start saving money right away. True, it will take a little time for those savings to pay back the initial investment, but they almost certainly will pay back that investment, and much more.
Goals of Residential LED lighting
The quantity and quality of LED lights, the impression they create in the Residential space, and the effect they have on the appearance of the space are all factors in a successful lighting solution.
With Residential LED lighting solutions, the main goals are to:
- Create a warm and enjoyable environment, while making it functional and safe.
- Integrate and combine ambient, task, decorative, and accent lighting into every room, for a variety of use possibilities.
- Establish a path of illumination through the house to allow comfortable transition and movement from one room to another.
- Enhance the character of the Residential space by highlighting areas of interest.
- Design a flexible lighting scheme and a system that is easy to maintain.
- Address energy efficiency into your home.
Layers of Residential LED lighting
There are four layers of light typically used in Residential lighting:
- General (ambient) LED lighting,
- Task LED lighting
- Accent LED lighting
- Decorative LED lighting
Every layer is necessary for different parts of your home, and they can even crossover. Combining and balancing these lighting types creates a more attractive, positive, and pleasant environment. A properly lit room can make a huge difference in the quality of life and affection towards your home.
General (ambient) LED Lighting
General lighting, also known as ambient lighting, is the main source of illumination for a room. Its purpose is to provide broad lighting for the entire space, more specifically for orientation and general tasks. But it also directly influences the overall ambiance and mood, which is why it is often referred to as ambient lighting. Ambient lighting should radiate a comfortable level of brightness and provide a sense of relaxation.
The most common sources for ambient lights are LED downlights and LED Globes.
LED Downlights primary purpose is to provide functional ambient light throughout the home. Their discreet appearance, practicality, and amazing ability to blend well with other lights such as LED Spot lights make them an excellent lighting staple.
LED Globes can be used for ambient lighting to provide general, diffuse illumination for a Residential space.
The amount of ambient LED light needed to reduce shadows and create a sense of comfort will depend on the room itself, its function, and overall size and shape.
Task LED Lighting
Task lighting provides illumination for a specific task giving a focused, localised, and higher level of illumination. Necessary to the functioning of space, it is important to use energy-efficient sources to reduce operating costs, such as LED lights.
The function of task lighting is to brighten a certain work area, providing just enough contrasting light to enhance your productivity of the designated work, limit shadows, and cut back on any glare. Task lighting is most effective when used as a supplement to general lighting in workspaces areas.
As we get older, our vision is getting worse, which is why task lighting is so effective in preventing eye strain. The types of workspaces in the house that task lighting typically centres around are cooking, reading, studying, painting, sewing, and other kinds of hobbies that are stationary.
Just like general lighting, task lighting can come from many LED light sources, such as LED Spot lights and LED PAR38.
Parabolic aluminized reflector or LED PAR38 is one of the best applications for LED due to its directional nature, and it’s used in recessed and track lighting. Track lighting is often used to take light to odd corners and critical workspace areas.
LED Spot lights are great for highlighting certain areas in the home, for decor, or hobbies. To get the most of the light, you want the LED Spotlights directly above the work surfaces. It is also practical to install a single switch for task lighting, independent of the room’s overall lighting switch.
Accent LED lighting
Accent lighting is used to bring particular attention to unique architectural design, bring out the beauty of artwork of paintings, get the focus on flower arrangements, enhance the texture or colour of the walls, or show off the light fixture itself. The primary function of accent lighting is to create a focal point for the room, adding a dimension to the environment, so it plays along with general lighting. Accent lighting requires an understanding of where items might be placed that deserve particular attention.
LED Spot lights for homes are a beautiful addition to your decor and also help you in highlighting the essential things and driving attention towards the things that you want. It creates visual interest in items in the room and can enhance almost anything.
The key is to make this illumination more precise and of higher intensity than the surrounding ambient light.
Decorative LED lighting
Decorative lighting fixtures are often meant to look attractive and enhance the look of the space as a design element, rather than provide much useful light. Wall sconces and chandeliers are the two most common decorative products.
Decorative lighting should complement and add visual interest to the home interior, as well as provide or contribute to the overall lighting solutions.
Adding decor, beauty, and style using decorative lighting is also an important reflection of the theme and style of the space. Decorative lighting can also contribute to a feeling of hospitality and comfort.
By combining and layering these lighting types, your home environment will be more attractive, exciting, and inviting.