Are LED Lights A Good Option?

LED lights are the latest hype in lighting, but are they any good, and will they work in your home?

Not every Melbourne electrical contractor will be able to tell you the history of LED lights, but most will encourage you to use them in your home. Very much the option of the 21st century, LED lights are not only a “good” option, but they are also the best for our homes and offices.

Not sure which light bulbs to choose? Read on to learn why LEDs are a good option!

Lighting Options for Your Home

There are three options for lighting, all of which are related directly to the type of bulb used to illuminate interiors at night. Your light fixtures may vary, depending on the types of lighting you have.

Incandescent Bulb

Initially invented in the late 19th century, Incandescent bulbs work with filament in the glass bulb. They were the norm until the mid-20th century and are still used today. Even in incandescent lighting, standard incandescent lights are the least efficient light source in the home. Energy-saving incandescent lights that use halogen gas are considerably more energy-efficient bulbs and are today’s most common form of incandescent lighting.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs were also invented in the late 19th century, but only during the latter half of the 20th century did they become famous in homes. The worldwide oil crisis of the mid-1970s prompted the development of the first compact fluorescent light (CFL) by General Electric in the USA. More energy-efficient, they were also more expensive to buy than incandescent bulbs and, until the 1990s, were not universally popular.

LED Light Bulbs

LED (light-emitting diode) lights were invented in the 1960s but have only recently become the bulb of choice, largely because they were initially considerably more expensive than other types, even considering energy efficiency. Today they are undoubtedly the most energy-efficient lights available – seven times more energy-efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. It has also been proven that they can cut energy costs by up to 80 per cent and last a lot longer than other types. They also have options for different light outputs, from warm lighting to daylight and natural light.

What Are The Benefits Of LEDs?

If you compare the lifespan of 20 and 50-watt halogen lights with 5 and 10 watts LED lights available in Australia, you’ll find that you can save close to $50 per light by using the 5-watt LED lights (vs 20-watt halogen lamps) and more than $70 per if you use the brighter LED bulbs.

Change all the bulbs in your home to LED, and you’ll make killer savings. But that’s not all because it isn’t just lifespan that counts; you will also save money by running LED rather than incandescent. Research shows that you can save close to $14 per 5-watt LED bulb and more than $36 per 10-watt LED light bulb in a year.

Where Can You Install LED Lighting?

LED bulbs are great lighting solutions for both residential and commercial properties. Hence, they are the preferred option in the electrical and lighting industry. Depending on the space, you can choose the amount of light emitted from the bulb. However, make sure to check this is a feature before purchasing.

So, where can you install LED lighting? Well, the good news is practically anywhere. From loungerooms to kitchens to outdoor patios and conference rooms! You can save time and money with more durability and energy efficiency than an average incandescent bulb!

Installing LED Lights For Your Home Or Office

You will need the correct fittings to accommodate LED lights, but your Melbourne electrical contractor will help. We specialise in this service, and once you have chosen the fittings you want, we will install dimmers and hook up transformers if required.

We advise our clients to call us to assess the household wiring system before shopping for new LED fittings. We will then discuss whether you need LED transformers and assist with selecting switches and dimmers. We also have a 24-hour emergency service if you have unexpected problems.