LEDs have become a popular choice for home lighting. As well as government regulations and bans phasing out some of the alternatives, the technology underpinning LED lighting makes it attractive for homeowners.

If you’re revamping your décor, renovating your home, or are simply yet to make the switch, this article outlines some great LED lighting advantages to inspire you.

What is LED lighting?

It is a type of lighting which works through the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LED). These are small microchips which convert electricity into light. This differs from traditional-style incandescent and halogen light bulbs, which use a tungsten lighting filament. As you’ll see, this difference gives LED lighting significant advantages.

How popular is LED lighting?

The uptake of LED lighting has accelerated worldwide over the past decade. International Energy Agency figures indicate the market share grew from 3% in 2013 to 51% in 2020. A comparable downward trend can be seen in the market for incandescent lighting.

Here in the UK, the shift to LEDs has been driven, in part, by government regulations and bans targeting less efficient incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lighting.

As well as regulatory requirements, LED lighting has many advantages which make it an attractive choice for homeowners.

Main advantages of LED lights

Let’s take a closer look at the main reasons to consider installing LED lighting in your home.

1. Energy efficiency

One of the big selling points of LED lighting is its energy efficiency. In fact, LED lighting uses up to 90% less energy than incandescent and halogen bulbs.

The wattage equivalent works approximately in a 7:1 ratio. So, for example, a traditional 60W filament bulb is equal to a 9W LED bulb. Overall, LED lights are typically between 5W and 15W. The brightness is expressed in lumens (units of light) – a 60W equivalent LED bulb will be 800 lumens.

Of course, lower energy use means lower energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, between 11% and 18% of a home’s total energy usage is accounted for by lighting. The organisation estimates that replacing traditional bulbs with LEDs can save up to £40 a year, or between £3 and £4 per bulb.

2. Long-lasting

Coupled with the energy-saving properties, another of the main LED lighting advantages is that the bulbs last far longer than the older alternatives.

The average lifespan of an LED bulb is approximately 25,000 to 50,000 hours. This can be even longer for dimmable lights used at low levels (up to 100,000 hours). In comparison, incandescent and halogen bulbs last 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

In practical terms, a brand new LED light bulb used at its brightest for 10 hours a day would last nearly 14 years.

3. Eco-friendly

In addition to energy efficiency and increased longevity, LED lights have other eco-credentials.

LEDs are non-toxic and do not contain mercury or other harmful chemicals. They produce lower carbon emissions, do not require specialist disposal, and because they need to be changed less frequently, resulting in less waste.

All of this makes LED lighting a good choice for the planet as well as for your home.

4. Enhanced safety

On top of their superior lifespan, LED lights are more durable than their older counterparts. Not only does this add to the money-saving aspect, it enhances their safety.

LEDs are solid state and made with a sturdy epoxy lens, while old-style bulbs are far more fragile, comprising outer glass “housing” for the filament inside. As well as the annoyance of breaking the filament if you drop the bulb, requiring a replacement, there is also the risk of broken glass.

In addition, if you’ve ever touched an incandescent or halogen bulb which has been burning for a while, you know how hot they get. However LED lights emit far less heat (only becoming slightly warm), reducing the risk of burns.

5. Flexibility

While many people think LED lighting in the home is limited to spotlights, there are many more options, including:

• Lightbulbs (to replace existing incandescent, halogen and fluorescent bulbs)
• Strip lights / tubes
• String lights (including Christmas tree lights)
• Floodlights
• Ceiling lights
• Pendant lights
• Panel lights
• Under cabinet lighting
• Hanging lights
• Wall lights & lamps

Within each of these categories, there are multiple variations. Even within the spotlight category, you can choose recessed (which are flat to the surface) or directional wall and ceiling-mounted lights. You can also opt for adjustable lighting, controlled by a dimmer switch or remotely.

The default colour option is white, with cool, neutral and warm hues available. However, LED lighting is also available in different colours, including colour-changing mood lighting.

LED lighting requires low voltage and works at high and low temperatures, so it can be installed outdoors. However, it’s important to choose lighting which has been designed for outdoor use specifically if that’s your intention.

This flexibility means you can create your ideal lighting design, whether you want to blend in with your existing décor or make a bold statement.

What to consider before installing LED lighting?

If you want to go beyond simply changing your existing lightbulbs to install a stylish and practical home LED lighting system, here are a few things to consider:

Define your lighting needs: It is important each room has the optimal light coverage, positioning, and brightness to avoid the need for additional illumination.

Think about the infrastructure: By this, we mean the appropriate fixtures and hardware, as well as things like the power supply, wattage and voltage.

Seek expert advice: As with any electrical work, installing LED lighting is a specialist job and one which should be undertaken by experienced and qualified professionals.

Light up your home with our professional installation services

If your home lighting needs a refresh or you want to learn more about the many LED lighting advantages, talk to SparkPro Electrical today. We have 15 years’ experience providing expert domestic electrical work to properties across West London. With NAPIT accreditation and TrustMark approval, you can be sure you are in safe hands with us.

Contact SparkPro Electrical to find out more about our home lighting installation services or for a free, no-obligation quote.