How Homeowners Can Switch to LED Lighting

Do you think you might be ready to switch to LED lighting in your home? Maybe you’ve been interested in saving money, or perhaps you’re hoping to reduce your carbon footprint. Whatever the reason might be, if you want to transition to LED lighting, you should do a little research before you dive in.

Why Switch to LED lighting?

There are many reasons to switch to LED bulbs, but the three that sway the most homeowners are:

• Energy efficiency — LED lamps are about four times more efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Save money each month with a lower electric bill.
• Long Life — These bulbs have an incredibly long life. The many LED bulbs can provide up to 50,000 hours of light.
• Environmentally Friendly — Unlike compact fluorescents, LED lights are made with non-toxic, recyclable materials.

How Should You Begin the Transition?

Start with a small project when you decide to switch to energy efficient lighting. Think about transitioning one or two rooms at first and then switching to LED bulbs in the rest of the house. Choose a room or two that you use most often and change out those old bulbs for the newer technology.

What Should You Look For?

When you’re picking new LED bulbs, look at the color temperature for the lamp. Warm/SoftWhite bulbs (which come at a Kelvin temperature between 2500 and 3000K) are great at replacing incandescent bulbs and offer a inviting and comfortable atmosphere. They’re perfect for reading and relaxing. Cool, Bright White bulbs (with a Kelvin temperature between 3500 and 4100K) are a good choice in commercial offices because of the bright, clean light they give. Daylight/Natural bulbs (the coolest bulbs, at 5000-6500K) give off a crisp bright light that is good for outdoor or industrial applications.

Use the Lighting Facts label to learn more about the light bulb you’re buying. We’ve put together a chart to help you navigate this label and find the important points:

In the end, the most important thing to remember when buying LED light bulbs is to do your research. Be sure to find a reputable manufacturer who offers a lighting facts label so you can find the right light bulb for your home.

Have questions about LED light bulbs? Leave us a comment and we’ll help!