Curious about LED lighting, but hesitating to buy because you're unsure about the technology? We’re investigating and helping to clarify the top 5 LED lighting myths.
Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has evolved quickly over the past decade or two, and is a smart contender in today’s lighting options. Still, there are lingering myths about LEDs. Let’s talk myths and bend the light toward the truth.
Myth I: LEDs Are Expensive
We’ll need to talk lifecycle costs to debunk this myth. Lifecycle costs include the amount you initially pay, plus the maintenance costs.
While the initial amount is higher for an LED light fixture, the lifetime costs are lower. An LED bulb typically lasts 20 years or more, plus they use a fraction of the watts that incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs use to produce the same amount of light.
So you save money on replacement bulbs, save time shopping for replacement bulbs, and save money to powering the light.
WAC Roxy 8 1/4" Wide Chrome and Crystal LED Pendant Light
When selecting energy efficient lighting, it’s important to think beyond just initial price point. Life cycle costs help give a good idea of what it will cost upfront, plus life cycle costs. This crystal LED pendant above uses just 3.5 watts.
Myth II: LEDs Are Cold
Not true. LED lighting is available in a large spectrum from warm to cool light. If you are looking for a light that resembles a warm incandescent light, you’ll want to look for something that is about 2500 degrees Kelvin.
If you are looking for a light that’s more like daylight, you’ll need a light that’s above 5000k.
So the higher the color temperature, the closer the light resembles daylight. The lower the color temperature, the warmer it looks.
The LED Light Facts was created by the US Department of Energy to help guide consumers to understanding the technical details of lighting options.
Myth III: LEDs Are Lower Watts
Using wattage is the old method we used to shop for light bulbs. It’s the amount of energy needed to power a bulb. Remember, the used-to-be-standard 60-watt light bulb for many common household lamps?
Now new light bulb technology has changed the way we shop for lighting. It takes fewer watts to achieve the same light output for an LED bulb than an incandescent, since most of the watts are released as heat for an incandescent.
So now we’re shopping for light bulbs based on the output, which is measured in lumens. To get about the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent, you’ll want to look for an LED that is rated at about 800 lumens.
13 Watt GU24 Base A19 Dimmable LED Light Bulb
This LED light bulb uses only 13 watts to give a light output of 800 lumens, which is about the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent light bulb.
Myth IV: LED Designs Are All Modern
While LED light fixtures have the ability to take on organic and futuristic forms, not all LED light fixtures look out-of-this-world.
There are many lamp manufacturers creating LED lighting options in traditional styles and in finishes that range from metals in dark bronze to wood finishes, like walnut and beech.
Rayna LED Tiffany Style Art Glass Pharmacy Desk Lamp
Style options are increasing everyday as LED lighting becomes more popular. The stigma that LED must look futuristic is so last decade. Check out this Tiffany-style LED desk lamp with a 3000k warm color temperature.
Myth V: LEDs Aren't Dimmable
LEDs can dim, but there’s a catch... Not all LEDs are made to dim. You’ll have to look for a light fixture that specifically states that it dims. And be aware that the dimming technology is still new, so even if an LED can dim, it might not dim to the level you are used to with incandescent bulbs.
Most of us are used to the look of dimmed incandescent light. When an incandescent dims, the light gets an orangey hue to it. When an LED dims, it doesn’t. We’re just used to having the orangey color of a lower light level.
Some LED fixtures also combine the technology of having timers and touch sensors to activate the dimming features.
56" Casa Ecanto™ Oil-Rubbed Bronze LED Ceiling Fan
This 56-inch Casa Ecanto Oil-Rubbed Bronze LED ceiling fan is dimmable with a remote!
So before shopping for a new light fixture, it’s important to decide the kind of light you want to achieve. Then start reading those specs to find the perfect fixture to light your space the way you want.
Image credits: Viber X LED, Lighting Facts