Lighting with LED lamps
LED lighting is no longer a trend but a reality. Many households use or are replacing their obsolete incandescent and halogen bulbs with light-emitting diode bulbs (LED acronym is Light Emitting Diodes), known as LED lamp.
Although we can all recognize that we are facing a much more efficient lighting from the perspective of energy saving in electricity, in truth, it is a great unknown, both for the options, technologies and types of led bulbs that the market offers us as its correct use.
Now, we are going to answer many questions that we ask ourselves when buying some led lamps…
What kind of light bulbs are there to save energy at home?
The buying and selling market is very wide and even varies by country, but the current options are several.
Leaving aside cutting-edge technology or special lighting. We have three technologies that will help us save and that we will find in any store; the LED, the halogens and the eco halogens.
- LED lamps. They are the most efficient on the market and have a useful life between 15,000 - 25,000 hours on average. The estimate in the reduction of energy consumption is around 90% compared to the traditional light bulb. For example, with improved functions such as the GU10 model of common led lights in the different living spaces of the home. Very good!
- Halogen bulbs. Its useful life is between 6,000 and 10,000 hours. Energy consumption is reduced by around 80% compared to traditional lamps.
- ECO halogen bulbs. Its useful life is around 2,000 hours. They are the least efficient, and reduce energy consumption by between 20 and 30%.
Note: Consecutively, we are talking about prices, from highest to lowest. Yes well, the quality is paid, and it is like everything in this life, the higher the quality; have a longer lifespan, better color reproduction, are more efficient, etc.
As a practical matter and before looking at it in more depth, we add the following infographic to compare the Watt (W) equivalences between LEDs, fluorescent, halogen and incandescent:
Always, before buying a Led, look at the watts W of the old house bulb to compare intensity
And now, we begin to solve some common questions …
How much money can I save based on the efficient light bulb type?
To calculate it directly with the energy savings per unit, it is simply crazy because of the price variations in electricity and countries. But we can estimate the units that we are going to save.
The savings are no longer only in the amount of energy, there are also replacements and maintenance. From a perspective of percentage savings in energy, according to the European Commission it tells us:
What are the advantages of led lighting?
The benefits and advantages of LED lighting at home are truly exceptional compared to traditional installations:
- Maximum efficiency. As we have said before, LED luminaires consume up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. The savings are unquestionable.
- Time of life. Led lights can reach a useful life of up to 25,000 hours compared to the typical 1,500 hours of traditional bulbs (Forget about 50,000 - 60,000 hours, it is not viable. The complex mechanism breaks before).
- Instant response. The on and off is very fast.
- Security. Safety is a major benefit of LED sockets. They generate almost no heat, therefore they are cool to the touch. Eye! Only in the beam of light. However, the LED luminaire itself produces heat.
- Endurance. They are much more resistant to shocks, and even those that have a glass bulb can continue to work if it breaks.
- Environment. They are almost totally recyclable and ecological since they do not contain mercury, nor materials as toxic as fluorescent lamps.
The massive consumption of LEDs can save a large amount of emissions of
CO2 by consuming less electricity.
- Functionality. They are currently used for a wide variety of different applications with sizes much smaller than the traditional bulb and the ability to change colors. They are focused lights, excellent for performing some specific lighting tasks, such as desk lamps, reading lights, night lights, security signs, spotlights …
Remember our article on how we can save energy at home with 30 tips. Very useful!
What is the most important thing about an LED lamp?
There are three characteristics that define the quality of the product and the led light:
- Chip quality. High technology is needed to regulate the operation of LED reflectors, and this is where the chip comes in. Aspects such as the durability of the luminaire, the warmth of the light, the energy consumption or the color, in part, depend on the quality of the chip.
- Heat management. The enemy of the chip is heat, knowing that the chip already contributes its own heat, manufacturers must take great pains in the construction of luminaires with very complex, controlled technologies and quality materials.
- Luminosity distribution. The distribution of light and intensity is the basis of the entire lamp (Remember that "the led chip" provides intense and direct lighting).
The quality of the chip is what really drives up the price of the LED bulb
Why do LEDs cost more than conventional lighting solutions?
They are made up of complex electronic components that have to be assembled to provide efficient light sources.
Apart from the LED chip, which has gallium and sapphire in the semiconductor, the assembly process with materials such as rare earth phosphors, ceramics, the relevant solder and gold wire, increases the overall cost.
Where can I put the lamps, fluorescent tubes and led bulbs at home?
Obviously, the following image does not reflect a requirement, but it does reflect the objective for which the lamps have been designed:
We have already talked about how to buy a light bulb according to household needs in this article, but now, we are going to review some basic tips so as not to "mess it up" and end up buying the wrong thing. So let's go over and answer more questions …
What considerations do I have to have when I want to integrate LEDs into the home?
Although here we could create a long list, in a generic way we would have to consider for inside the house (And this is for all types of lighting; LED spotlight, fluorescent tube, LEDs, compact fluo, low consumption light bulbs, etc:
- The distance between the different lighting points or led strips.
- Ways to avoid glare and see the points of light.
- They should be ventilated.
- Easy access to wiring.
- Easy access to the LED bulb, socket and lamp for replacement or maintenance.
- If the driver is not integrated into the LED, easy access (practically everything is already sold together)
- Easy access to the switch (off and on) or whatever type of control.
As a curiosity and interesting for outdoors or gardens, most insects are attracted to ultraviolet rays, which help them navigate, find food and a mate. The LED lamps They do not have ultraviolet content, that is why they do not attract so many insects.
LED lamps do not have ultraviolet content, that is why they do not attract so many insects
What is color temperature in LED lighting?
The appearance of the "light tone" or color is indicated by the color temperature, expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). Not all manufacturers indicate the "K", and in many cases we can see directly; warm, neutral or cold light.
When we talk about illuminance (lux = Light intensity = lumen per m2), that is, how we see that intensity of warm, neutral or cold light. The choice of color temperature for an illuminated architectural space, interior or exterior, is more of a psychological and aesthetic issue that, according to studies, can affect us in the following way:
The concept of lux (relative illuminance) must be differentiated from lumen, since some manufacturers put one concept or another in the boxes … What is the difference between lux and lumen?
- Lux: Indicates a measure of perceived luminosity in a specific area (m2).
- Lumen: Unit used to express the amount of light that a bulb is capable of generating.
What color temperature is recommended for each room in the house?
As we have seen, the color of light affects us. So, choosing the color temperature we will achieve a cozy or stimulating environment. If we see the rooms of the house, we would have the following scheme:
The rest and relaxation areas are enhanced with a warm light illuminator, which gives us tranquility and serenity. For activity and work areas, it is advisable to use a white or neutral light.
You have to be careful with the decoration, especially when painting the walls of the house. Neutral lighting (artificial natural light), which is the range between 4000K and 5000K (Kelvin degrees), makes us see the "real" colors in the vertical surfaces.
Watch out for paint finishes and lighting. You have to paint with natural light to see a real result
If we use any special vertical cladding; effects or drawings in wall paint, always do the DIY that touches, by day, with the sun's rays. If we are in an artificial environment, the result may not be what we wanted later on.
What light levels are recommended for the home?
It is proven that each stay in our home; Living room, bedrooms, corridors and hall, bathroom or kitchen, should have a certain contrast and light intensity (lux per m2):
As we see in the previous image, the levels are important. For example, in the cooking zone, special attention must be paid when designing a kitchen because we need a light that reflects what the food is like.
But … How do I know the Lux that I have in a room of the house? How can you measure the amount of light in the workspace? Do you think your kitchen is very dark ?, etc … Well in the next question, we answer you!
How do I know if the lighting I have is correct?
To measure the amount of light emitted by a light source (for example, our LED lamps) what is called a lux meter is used. As there is a mobile app for everything, there are some that simulate the lux meter and they work very well.
From Android (Google Play HERE) and for iOS (App store HERE). Both Lighting Apps are very easy to use and similar. Both tell us directly the Lux in the room and thus, we can compare the light levels by rooms with the previous image:
Now that we already know many things about the LED world and what its most significant characteristics are, we can go shopping …
What should we consider when buying an LED lamp?
- Remember the size of the cap. Take a good look at the socket that supports the lamp holder where that bulb will be placed. The most common are; the coarse thread (E27) and the fine thread (E14).
- The tone of light (The color temperature that we have seen before)
- Power and lumens what will the light bulb have.
- Angle of light. Taking into account the shape of the bulb, we will have an opening angle. When replacing directional bulbs like halogen bulbs, angle is important to ensure proper light distribution.
What to look at in the boxes of an LED bulb?
The information that appears on the packaging of an LED lamp is very important. It is true that not all manufacturers provide the same information, but reading the label will help us find and choose the right bulb.
The characteristics that are reflected - front and rear face - are usually …
Now, surely you already know how to choose coherently …
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