It’s important to have the right type of lighting throughout your home to make everyday living safer and more enjoyable. The right lighting improves the look and feel of a space and helps create a warm and inviting ambiance. Insufficient lighting can make a space feel cramped or gloomy and make it difficult to accomplish necessary tasks.
Residential Lighting Options
Replacing outdated or inefficient lighting fixtures can brighten rooms, save energy, and give spaces an entirely new look. For home lighting, there are three choices:
Incandescent Bulbs
The prototype for the incandescent light bulb that we all recognize was invented by Thomas Edison in the late 1880s. Incandescent bulbs create light by generating heat. The wire filament in the middle of the bulb is heated via electricity. The heat causes the wire to glow, which in turn creates light. Incandescent bulbs are highly inefficient since almost 90% of the energy created is heat not light.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
CFLs are the spiral-shaped light bulbs that first became prominent in the 1980s and 1990s. CFLs take time to generate light due to their design. The inner tube of a CFL contains argon and mercury. CFLs require more energy to turn on than incandescent bulbs and are less efficient in both hot and cold weather. CFLs are being phased out due to their inefficiency and the superiority of LEDs.
Light-Emitting Diode Bulbs (LEDs)
This type of bulb creates light by using a semiconductor material to move electrons at a fast pace. LEDs do not rely on heat to create light, so they are cool to the touch even when they are on. Because LEDs do not require argon, mercury, or fluorescent coating to make light, they are far cheaper than CFLs to produce. LEDs have a long life span and are the most energy-efficient option available.
Advantages of Switching to LED Lighting
Upgrading your home’s lighting to LED can have many benefits.
1. Long Lasting
According to the EPA, Energy Star-rated LED bulbs can last up to 20 years with typical use. Unlike conventional bulbs, the diodes in LEDs don’t “burn out” - they emit lower output levels over a very long period of time so that the light slowly becomes less bright. If you don’t like frequently replacing light bulbs, LEDs come close to eliminating this task.
2. Improved Styles
LED bulbs have freed up designers from the limitations imposed by the old bulb and sockets. With numerous options, including can lights, tubes, and strip lights, LEDs are a great choice for both primary and accent lighting. LED light fixtures for both residential and commercial properties are now widely available and can be incorporated into any design scheme.
3. Natural Light Quality
Today’s LED bulbs and fixtures mimic incandescent lighting to the extent that most people can’t tell the difference. In addition, LEDs have a large color spectrum, allowing you to light your home in a variety of ways. Many LEDs are programmable and capable of being set to change color at timed intervals.
4. Better Sleep
Both light and color play a huge role in sleep cycles. A Harvard Medical School study found that red wavelengths are the least disruptive to natural circadian rhythms.
Smart LED lighting can help improve your sleep by simulating a slow sunrise to ease you out of bed on an early morning. And falling asleep is easier when lights are set to a low setting and then fade slowly to dark over a 20-minute period. Installing programmable LED lighting in your bedroom allows you to regulate the transition from red to blue wavelengths which has been shown to improve sleep quality.
5. Remote Connectivity
LED lighting can be connected to your smartphone, tablet, or other devices with a lighting control app allowing homeowners to turn lights on and off no matter where they are. Beyond the convenience this offers while at home, this option improves security when you are on vacation or return home late at night. Many affordable LED bulb options are available that connect with smart devices including Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
6. Energy Savings
The Energy and Independence Act of 2007 set efficiency standards that forced the lighting industry to create improved energy-efficient products. That resulted in the development of LED bulbs which use dramatically less energy than old incandescent light bulbs. The energy savings for both residential and commercial properties can be extensive when hot, inefficient incandescent bulbs are replaced with cool LED options.
7. Eco-Friendly
In addition to energy savings, LED lights contain none of the toxic elements found in other types of bulbs. Because LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in one direction, fewer lights are needed to achieve the same level of brightness given off by fluorescent and incandescent lights.
Using fewer lights reduces energy consumption and therefore benefits the environment. The long lifespan of LEDs also means they rarely need to be replaced, creating less waste over time.
8. Safety
LEDs are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion or burnt fingers. They contain no harmful elements and are unlikely to break with normal handling.
LEDs are ideal for locations that are exposed to harsh elements, including extreme weather and temperature changes. They are resistant to shock, vibrations, and external impacts, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Improve Your Home’s Lighting
LED lighting is the most energy-efficient way to light your home. When you choose Energy Star Qualified LED lighting products, you’ll use up to 90% less energy over incandescent lighting. Not only are the bulbs affordable, but they also last a long time. Replacing your incandescent and CFL bulbs with LEDs will improve your lighting and reduce your energy bills.
Pallardy Electric has been serving residential and commercial customers in St. Charles and St. Louis Counties for over 20 years. Whether your project is big or small, we can handle it. We offer reasonable rates and free estimates. Call us at (636) 202-1794 to discuss your needs or to schedule a free estimate.