4 Mistakes to avoid when switching to LEDs
Our lighting specialists have put together the most commonly made – and easily avoided – mistakes to keep in mind before upgrading your LEDs.
February 19, 2019
We all know that switching your old globes to energy efficient dimmable LED lights will save you big time in energy and replacement costs. In fact, they’re known to last 5 times longer and are up 80% more efficient than traditional halogens!
But what you may not know is that LEDs operate a little differently, and while switching is easy, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure you’re getting the most out of your LED upgrade.
Mistake #1: Not understanding the different light distribution
How light is distributed in any area of your home affects how the room looks and feels. Unlike traditional globes which experience what is known as ‘lumen bounce’ where some of the light gets lost in the fixture, dimmable LED globes are very directional, so they emit a more concentrated light distribution.
Our 8W Glass GLS LED Dimmable globe has a 290-degree beam angle which means the light is distributed around the full globe.
Mistake #2: Choosing lights that are too bright or too dark
When looking for your LED upgrade, it’s not enough to just compare the wattage of your current bulb with the new LED replacement. It’s also important to compare the lumen output, as this will give you a better understanding of how bright an LED light bulb or fixture will be. Generally, a normal 42W halogen bulb will have approximately the same brightness as an LED bulb with 800 lumens. Before you purchase any bulb, familiarise yourself with our globe finder to ensure you're choosing a bulb that will offer the appropriate amount of brightness.
Mistake #3: Choosing the wrong bulb colour
The colour or temperature of the bulb you choose will affect the mood of a room. Dimmable LED globes come in warm and cool (& daylight) colour temperatures offering more choice than halogens.
The colour appearance of the light emitted from any bulb is measured in Kelvin. If you want to match the existing colour of the lighting you’re upgrading, taking note of the LED’s Kelvin colour temperature is essential. The lower the number of Kelvins, the warmer and more yellow the light is (perfect for bedrooms and dining areas). The higher the Kelvins, the cooler and bluer the light (perfect for task areas such as kitchens and living spaces).
Mistake #4: Using LEDs with an incompatible dimmer
Not all dimmers are created equally, which means not all dimmer switches will work with LED lights. If you’ve ever installed an LED light bulb on a circuit with a standard incandescent dimmer, you may have noticed that flickering, buzzing, humming or flashing can occur. Beacon Lighting has performed extensive testing to ensure our dimmable LED globes are compatible with the leading dimmers on the market.
Need help perfecting your LED upgrade? Book an appointment with our expert lighting consultants at the Design Studio and enjoy all the energy saving benefits of LED lighting.