Archive for November, 2012

November 24th, 2012

3 Factors To Consider When Purchasing LED Fixtures For Home Lighting

LED fixturesLight emitting diode lighting (LED) technology is widely touted to be a revolutionary way for lighting homes. As such, it is likely to replace the general lighting services in use today that consist of incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. LED lighting differs from conventional lighting in various ways. For starters, LED beams are directional, and tend to focus on specific points. Secondly, LED fixtures consist of combined fitting and bulb components.

During replacement, one changes the bulb as well as the entire lighting unit. Many homeowners lack comprehensive knowledge about the intricacies of LED lighting. For this reason, an energy conscious individual may not know where to begin when searching for these handy illumination units. To help solve that problem, here are three tips for homeowners looking to purchase LED lighting sources for their homes.

 

Uses of the Light Fixtures

The first point to consider when comparing LED lighting sources is their primary usage. As mentioned before, LED light bulbs are directional in nature. Therefore, they perform effectively in areas that require ambient illumination around ones home. As such, homeowners may choose this type of lighting for areas of the bathroom, hallways, kitchen, and basements. Some common LED fixtures that can work well with this technology include the following:

  • Spot Lights
  • Accent Lighting
  • Sconce Lighting
  • Recessed Lighting
  • Security Lighting
  • Decorative Lighting.

Homeowners can choose an appropriate lighting source from the above options, and decide on the best ones to install inside their houses.

 

Wattage of the Bulbs

LED bulb power ratings differ from conventional bulb wattage. General light service bulbs consume power according to their wattage, and the higher the wattage, the brighter a bulb glows. On the other hand, LED power ratings are quite intricate to calculate. Some LED bulb manufacturers usually indicate wattage, but this value may not represent the true power consumption of the bulb. The actual power consumption of LED light fixtures is relative to various factors, and rather difficult to estimate. Some of the factors that influence LED bulb power consumption include the beam angle of the lighting, LED color rating, and bulb power factor.

 

Color of the Bulb

LED bulbs are available in various colors just as is the case for normal general lighting services bulbs. However, LED color factor also refers to the “white color factor” of these bulbs. White color factor is the form of illumination the LED light source produces under natural lighting conditions. Manufacturers usually calculate color factor using a unit called Kelvin (K). Yellow and orange LEDs are just under 2000K, white and neutral bulbs have around 4000K, and bluish bulbs have the highest color temperature rating.

LED powered lighting is affordable and energy efficient. Many power companies are gradually developing LED light fixtures for homeowners to use. Knowledge about the application possibilities of these lights is essential to obtain the suitable bulbs for ones residence. Consider the three points detailed above when shopping for this innovative form of lighting.

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November 23rd, 2012

LED Lighting Innovation – Promising A Bright Future

LED lighting energy saving bulbLighting is an important component in almost any setting or industry where a strong visual impact is important for promotion of the product or concept. While the light emitting diode (LED) has been used in commercial applications since 1962, the LED industry is now developing and introducing groundbreaking home applications. The popularity of residential LEDs comes as the result of several different designs and the many different ways that LEDs can be used in the home.

In simplest terms, a light emitting diode is a semiconductor that is designed to produce light. The original LEDs were low energy devices that only produced a low red light. Today’s LEDs emit generate a much higher intensity of light over a range of cool and bright colors.

One of the most impressive applications of the LED has been in flat screen TVs and computer monitors. LEDs are used as the means of displaying the screen image with amazing clarity, resolution and color accuracy that many favor over the competing LCD technology. LEDs provide a great picture that is easier on the eyes. However, TVs and computers make up a small part of the LED device’s uses.

This type of lighting can be found everywhere and it is rapidly replacing traditional lighting sources because of its efficiency, life, energy use and versatility. LEDs are up to 90 percent more efficient than traditional light bulbs and last up to 15 years — seven years longer than incandescent bulbs. An LED also uses 80-90 percent less lighting energy and produces less heat. Environmentally, LEDs are recyclable because they do not contain mercury.

Light emitting diodes have the greatest use in a wide range of lighting applications. They are used for interior and exterior car lighting, aviation lighting, signs, traffic signals, smart lighting, fiber optics, medical technology, plant grow lighting, security lighting and even Christmas tree lighting. In fact, LEDs can be designed for any lighting use because there are a wide range of sizes and shapes for these devices.

One of the interesting characteristics of LED technology is that many of the devices are programmable. In other words, Infrared LED lighting in remote controls have been programmed and used for years to operate home entertainment systems. Newer “Smart Home” applications are now available to perform several functions:

 

  • Lighting Control — Modular LED lighting systems are available to change lighting levels and colors. The effect of altering lighting can create a mood by rearranging lighting intensity and color.
  • Security — Exterior LED lighting can be incorporated into an existing security system to brighten when the alarm comes on. Another application is to rotate turning light on and off while residents are away from home.
  • Home Entertainment Systems — A home system be designed to integrate lighting, curtains, sound and equipment operation into one set of controls.

The future of LED technology is unlimited. New applications in every industry and in the home will improve the way we live. Another obvious benefit is the reduction in energy use by retrofitting lighting systems to LED lighting. As innovation is bound to continue with this technology, LED lighting promises a bright future.

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