What LED lights are the best?
Sometimes, what a home’s exterior is missing that makes it majestic and welcoming. The architecture is perfect, the landscaping is spot on, but what is leaving this house of beauty plain and just another house on the block? Nothing that a few properly placed outdoor led lights can’t fix.
If you’re looking at what kinds outdoor lighting to install around your home’s exterior, make sure you have an understanding about color temperature and the nature of lighting, how it effects the various types of light, and the light sources used and how they are to be powered, like LED lights with battery or hardwired into the electrical system.
With the lighting technology available today, a homeowner can choose the brightness and the color temperature. Color temperature of LED lights is measured in ‘K’ (Kelvin) and a warm amber light will have a lower ‘K’ (temperature) while brighter LED lights are a cooler ‘K’.For outdoor residential LED lights, a primary range of ‘K’ ranges between 2500k and 4000k. The standard range for LED lights is:
- For lighting up the architectural features of a home, the warmer temperature colors ranging between 2500k and 2700k.
- For lighting up plants and trees around the home, the cooler LED lights temperature range is between 3000k and 4000k.
With LED lights, is it safe to leave them on all night, can led lights cause a fire?
Simply put, well-manufactured LED lights have a longer lifespan, even when left on 24/7/365 than the conventional light bulbs. LED lights produce a minimal amount of heat, so the horror stories you’ve heard about house fires started by a light bulbs, it was probably a conventional, standard lightbulb.
However, there are various circumstances, that can determine a fire starting from a light bulb, like the type and quality of the light bulb. Another important factor to be considered in a light bulb causing a fire is the ambient temperature.
So, because LED lights burn cooler, it would only make sense the traditional type of light bulb would be the more hazardous of the two types. The conventional light bulb generates 90% heat and 10% light. Yes, it is that much hotter than LED lights.
Another factor in the safety of LED lights or traditional lights is if they are in an enclosed fixture and have any air circulation. The traditional light bulb shouldn’t be left on indefinitely when the light fixture itself doesn’t allow air circulation.
What is the level of LED lights energy consumption?
LED lights have an annual energy consumption thirty times lower than an incandescent light bulb according to the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy). This accounts for a one-fifth of the American household’s energy consumption! If you’re used to comparing in wattage, LED lights use six watts of electricity and produce the same amount of lighting that a sixty watt incandescent light bulb.
Can LED lights be replaced?
Not in the same way a traditional light bulb can be replaced. LED lights are typically and integrated lighting that is built into numerous electrical circuit boards. This makes it almost impossible for the everyday homeowner to replace the lighting, so instead, the entire integrated LED lights fixture will need to be replaced.
Are LED lights dimmable?
Yes, but it isn’t a standard feature, all the different models of LED lights are available in a dimmable version. Simply read the packaging to make sure they state “dimmable” in the specifications.
What to do when LED lights flicker
Are your new LED lights flickering or do you have led lights are not working at all? Don’t panic yet and take it back to the store. LED lights and bulbs are operated by an electronic driver. These are sensitive to noise, especially noise that creates voltage fluctuations. The cheaper the brand, the more sensitive.
What causing this flickering? As the electrical loads in your home are turned on and off, the voltage level changes. This can cause LED lights to dim or flicker occasionally. Other reasons that your LED lights may be flickering are:
- Appliance Create An Inrush Current
Certain appliances need more power when turned on and that creates an inrush current that pulls voltage and can dim LED lights are on the same circuit. It is recommended to have the refrigerator, wash/dryer, stove on a different breaker than the LED lights. - Loose Bult or Loose Wiring
LED lights will flicker when the circuit or connection is loose. Easy fix is to simply tighten the bulb. You should also check if there is a build-up of dust in the light socket and blow it out. If these don’t fix the flickering, you should have a certified electrician inspect the issue, it may need rewiring.
- Dimmer compatibility
Not all new dimmer switches are compatible with LED lights, or your may have LED lights that aren’t dimmable in a dimmer light fixture.
Interested in installing LED lights for your outdoor lighting needs in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX? Call Majestic Outdoor Lighting at (817) 345-3696 today!