In 2020, the global light-emitting diode (LED) market had an estimated value of $50.91 billion. Come 2028; experts say this sector will reach revenues amounting to $135.58 billion. Tips for buying LED lights.
LED, after all, is the most energy-efficient lighting technology available today. At the very least, LED products use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lights. What’s more, they can last up to 25 times longer.
All that should be enough reason to consider buying LED lights. Read on as this guide will walk you through the most important buying considerations.
Table of Contents
1. Lumens
The term lumens is a measure of light brightness expressed in the hundreds to thousands. The higher the number, the brighter the light a LED bulb can produce.
For example, let’s say you want to swap out a 40-watt incandescent bulb with an energy-saving LED bulb. In this case, the Department of Energy recommends replacing it with a LED bulb rated with 450 lumens. On the other hand, you can go for 800 lumens to change a 60-watt bulb or 1,100 lumens to replace a 75-watt bulb.
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2. Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to the measure of color a particular light source generates. On the low end of the scale is yellowish, such as what incandescent light bulbs produce. On the higher end is bluish, whereas whitish sits in the middle.
Before, most types of LED lights were in the higher-tier, producing white to blue light.
According to the CDC, white light exposure can help improve alertness and mood, so long as it’s within the day. However, the agency says that exposure to white and blue light can also interfere with sleep.
For those reasons, many LED makers now make lower color temperature bulbs, too.
3. Installation Location
Since a LED light’s color temp can affect your body, be sure to factor in where you’ll install them. For instance, if it’s in the bedroom, go for those with lower color temps. On the other hand, choose whiter or bluer lights if you need them for a work area.
Do note that some LED bulbs can switch from yellowish to whitish to bluish. So, you might want to consider this LED light setup in the bedroom if you work in there, too. They’re also ideal for living room use since their changing colors can work as mood lighting.
4. Fun Colors
Speaking of mood lighting, you might want to get yourself a LED neon lamp too. These are available in many colors, such as bright yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, green, and purple.
Best of all, unlike traditional neon lights, the LED neon lights don’t use toxic gases.
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5. Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings
The IP rating is an indication of how resistant an LED enclosure is against solids and water. You’d see these ratings in two digits; the first is for protection against solids, the other is for water. For solids, the range is 0 to 6, while for water, it’s 0 to 9.
In both cases, the higher the number, the more resistant the enclosure is. For example, an IP 69 rating means the LED bulb has the most protection against dust, water, and even steam. However, you can expect this to be pricier than other products with lower IP ratings.
So, unless your LED lights would be at risk of water submersion, you don’t really need an IP 69 rating. However, if you’re buying outdoor LED lights, the least you should get are those with an IP 65 rating. These have enough protection against dust and accidental water exposure.
Use This Guide to Make Buying LED Lights a Breeze
There you have it, your basic guide to buying LED lights and how to ensure you get the right ones off the bat. As a final tip, make certain the LED light provider you choose offers a lengthy warranty, too. This way, you can get a free replacement if the product fails before it reaches its guaranteed life span.
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