LEDs: The bulbs behind the lighting revolution

LEDs have come a long way since their expensive, blue-light emitting early models…

LED bulbs are putting the past behind them. For many years, LED bulbs were very expensive and unreliable, however commercially available LED lights have been evolving for many years now, and have triggered huge shifts in lighting design and functionality. The cost of LEDs has lowered significantly while their reliability has increased exponentially, meaning we can now purchase a good quality LED bulb and expect it to last for a very long time.

But you may have some lingering questions and doubts about LEDs. Here we’ll answer some common queries in relation to LED bulbs and how they are used today…

How energy-efficient are LEDs?

LEDs really are significantly more energy-efficient than other types of bulbs. A 12W LED stands to save you somewhere between 75% to 80% the energy usage of a traditional 60W incandescent bulb.

Do LED bulbs have better longevity than other types of bulbs?

We can expect an LED bulb to last for 20,000 hours on average – just compare that with an incandescent bulb which might only last for 1,000 hours of use. With the price of LEDs now very competitive, it doesn’t take long for the bulb to pay for itself, and to create great value for long after.

How does an LED work?

LED stands for ‘light emitting diode’. The LED itself is a semiconductor diode made of of silicon and germanium crystals, which when energized emit light. Light is measured in lumens, instead of watts. You can find out more about all the sciency stuff here: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/diodes

What kinds of lighting formats do LEDs cover?

LEDs are now the most common lighting type, and can be used in almost all lamp formats, functions and types, including standard lamps, strips and LED signs.

How do LEDs compare with other types of bulbs?

Until recently, incandescent bulbs were the most common type of lighting. They generate light by heating a filament inside, however only about 5% of the electricity consumed is transformed into light! The rest turns to heat, which makes them very inefficient, and many countries have banned them as a result.

Halogens are incandescent light bulbs, but they use halogen gas for better light emission and service life. Because they still consume a lot of electricity in their operation, they have increasingly been replaced by LED lamps.

Known for their efficiency, long service life, and low cost, fluorescent lights are common, and their forms are either compact or tubular. They operate through a glass tube which has an internal phosphorus-based coating. When an electric current is conducted through the tube containing argon and mercury vapor, it generates invisible ultraviolet light, which the coating turns it into visible light. These lamps use heavy metals, such as mercury, so they can never be disposed of in ordinary waste.

Are LEDs dimmable?

Not all LED lamps are dimmable. Make sure yours are if you plan to use them with a dimmer. Remember: not all controls work with dimmable LED lamps. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s compatibility charts, consult an expert and perform a test. Unfortunately, not all LEDs are of high quality. Just like with any other type of product, some LED bulbs are cheap and unproven, and thus are prone to failure. Be sure to buy a well-tested product.

Do LEDs emit harsh bluish light?

LEDs cover various colour temperatures. You should pay attention to the kelvin rating providing on the pack front. So when you go to buy an LED bulb it might say Warm White 2700k, or Cool White 5000k. The colour measurement is all based on the colour of hot metal using the kelvin scale, which is what the k stands for. A bulb that is 5,000 to 6,000k is thought to be the colour of natural day light while 2700k is around the same as an undimmed incandescent bulb.

LED lights have come a long way. Here at Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard, we use Edison-style LED bulbs. The distinctive style of these bulbs offers an aesthetic upgrade from standard LED bulbs, and provide all of the functionality. They serve as a gorgeous complement to our Alchemist Collection of light fixings – just check out our selection of wall lights and pendant lights to see for yourself!

As always, we welcome your enquires about lighting for your new home build or renovation project. To speak with a member of the Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard team, call us on 0044 (0)330 223 3940.

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