A Guide to LED Lighting

What are LEDs?

LEDs, short for Light-Emitting Diodes, are special little gadgets that give off light when you send electricity through them. They’re used for all kinds of lighting because they’re super energy-efficient, last a long time, and can come in lots of different colors. LEDs are widely used for various lighting purposes, including energy-saving light bulbs and in TV screens.

Around the home they can be used for general illumination, task lighting, and accent lighting, allowing you to create dynamic and colorful lighting effects.

Are LEDs better than other lights?

LEDs are an excellent choice for many lighting needs due to their numerous benefits. However, whether they’re the best option depends on the situation and your specific requirements. The benefits of LEDs include:

• Energy efficiency: LEDs are highly energy-efficient and typically use less electricity to produce the same amount of light as incandescent or fluorescent lights. This makes them a better choice for reducing energy consumption and lowering electricity bills
• Longevity: LEDs have a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting options. They can last for tens of thousands of hours, reducing the need for frequent replacements, which can be an advantage in terms of maintenance and cost savings
• Durability: LEDs are solid-state devices, which means they are more durable and resistant to shock and vibration compared to fragile incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes
• Instant lighting: LEDs light up instantly, while some other lighting technologies may require a warm-up period before reaching full brightness
• Environmental impact: LEDs are more environmentally friendly as they contain no hazardous materials like mercury, which is found in fluorescent bulbs. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to their energy efficiency.

What to keep in mind when LED shopping

There’s a range of choices when it comes to LED lighting, with LEDs available as standard light bulbs, candles, spotlights and recessed downlights. They are available at most hardware stores, supermarkets and specialty lighting stores.

There are a number of factors that consumers should keep in mind when shopping for LEDs, and it’s certainly worthwhile comparing what is on offer from different brands and matching it to your household’s requirements.

• Make sure that the new bulb has the same type of base as the one that is being replaced, such as a bayonet or screw-fitting for standard bulbs
• Use the wattage of the incandescent bulb being replaced in determining the brightness required, with LED packaging usually indicating the equivalent wattage of incandescent bulbs producing a similar brightness
• The chances are LEDs will appear brighter than an equivalent standard incandescent bulb as the beam angle of LEDs is narrower, with the light coming out more focused
• The lumens number on the packaging is a measure of the light output, with the higher the lumens, the brighter the light, while wattage measures the energy a bulb uses. With both lumens and wattage appearing on most packaging, this can be helpful in determining which bulb uses the least energy for the most light output
• Warm white LEDs produce a more comfortable light, suitable for most rooms, while cool white LEDs are good for task lighting, especially when contrast is important
• If a dimmer switch is required, check the packaging to ensure the model is suitable and the dimmer switch is compatible with the bulb

Compare electricity providers for free with Canstar Blue!

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.