Every day, more people discover the benefits of using light emitting diodes (LEDs) for their lamps, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures. An LED, which is a device that emits light when an electrical current passes through it, uses at least 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. If you’re ready to switch, consider these three factors to ensure you choose the right products for your home. 

3 Factors to Consider When Buying LEDs

1. Color Temperature

First, think about how cool or warm you want your light to appear. At the store, you can determine a light’s color appearance, or correlated color temperature (CCT), based on its Kelvin (k) number.

A higher Kelvin number indicates a cooler or bluer light, while a lower one has a warmer or yellower appearance. If you want something similar to incandescent lighting, look for an LED with a color temperature between 2700k and 3500k. 

2. Brightness 

While you’re probably used to determining a bulb’s brightness based on its wattage, you can’t do that with an LED. That’s because LED bulbs consume far fewer watts than incandescent ones. Instead, pay attention to an LED’s lumen (lm) measurement.

As with wattage for an incandescent bulb, lumens help you determine the brightness level of an LED bulb. For comparison, the average 60-watt incandescent bulb emits about 800 lumens, while a 150-watt incandescent bulb emits about 2600 lumens.  

3. Dimming Ability

Most people enjoy adjusting the brightness of their lamps and other lighting fixtures to accommodate different tasks and atmospheres. However, not every LED fixture is dimmable, so take a close look at the product label before purchasing one.

In addition, since most dimmers were built to work with incandescent lights, you need to either buy LED bulbs that are compatible with standard incandescent dimmers or buy a dimming switch with an LED-compatible dimmer. Pairing an LED bulb with an incompatible dimmer could lead to issues, such as flickering and inadequate dimming.

For all your lighting needs, turn to the team at Palette Studios. Established over a century ago, the Cincinnati-based company offers gorgeous lighting fixtures, such as lamps and chandeliers, as well as lampshades and other accessories. They also provide comprehensive repairs to help you keep your space beautifully illuminated. Learn more about their services online and call (513) 961-1316 to discuss your needs with a friendly team member.