Lighting is an important consideration when planning your home. The placement, quality, and type of lighting you use makes all the difference between a room that’s simply functional, and one that’s comfortable and inviting.
But it’s about more than just buying the cheapest bulbs and calling it a day. Whether you’re planning a new build, or looking to change things up—and maybe don’t have the time, funds, or capacity to undertake a full renovation—LED lights can have a big impact on the comfort and sustainability of your home.
What are LED lights?
LED lights are quickly becoming the preferred choice in lighting, and for good reason.
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. They consist of a tiny semiconductor that converts electricity into light. And when we say tiny, we mean it: the diode often starts at just a few millimetres in size.
When compared to traditional light sources like compact fluorescent light (CFL) or incandescent bulbs, LED lighting is much safer.
LED vs traditional lighting
An incandescent globe creates light by heating a filament inside the light globe (hence why the bulbs get so hot).
CFL globes feature a complex reaction between argon and mercury vapor that’s contained inside the tube. An electrical current passes through the tube, exciting the gas molecules, which create ultraviolet light. This, in turn, stimulates a fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube, which absorbs the energy and emits light.
By comparison, LED passes electricity through the material inside the semiconductor. This electricity sparks the electrons within the materials, which then emit energy in the form of light. No heat, no gases: it’s these differences that are making LED lighting the bulb of choice in high-performance homes.
The environmental benefits of LED lighting
Swapping out your old CFL and incandescent globes for LED lighting can have some big environmental benefits for your home.
Lower energy consumption
On average, LED lights use around 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb. This is because incandescent globes only use around 10% of their energy to create light—the other 90% is used to heat the filament until it glows, which then creates the light. It’s extremely inefficient and contributes to a higher electricity bill.
Reduced carbon footprint
As LED lights use less energy than traditional lighting solutions, you use far less energy to create the same amount of light. It’s an effective way to reduce your emissions and environmental impact. And if partnered with solar panels, you’ll get peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to reduce your carbon footprint even further.
Longer lifespan
LED lights are more energy efficient than CFL globes, and are a more stable form of light production. There’s no heat involved, which means less wear and tear on the globe itself, and therefore a longer lifespan.
An LED light can last anywhere from 25,000 – 50,000 hours. Compare this to an old incandescent globe which lasts anywhere from 1,000 – 2,000 hours, and the choice is clear.
They’re made from healthier materials
When taken at face value, incandescent globes are more dangerous than LED. When the filament heats up, so too does the glass, which creates the potential for burns when replacing a globe soon after turning off the light. They’re also liable to shatter if handled incorrectly.
CFL globes, on the other hand, use mercury as their method of emitting light. So while they generate less heat, they contain a neurotoxin that’s harmful to humans, which isn’t necessarily something you want inside your home.
The economic advantages of switching to LED lights
The economic benefits of switching out your lights for LED globes go hand in hand with the environmental benefits.
Reduce your electricity bills over time
As LED lights use less energy to power, you’re consistently using less electricity every time you turn on the lights. Which means that, over time, you’ll see your electricity bill go down.
Lower maintenance costs
Outside of your electricity bill, the longer lifespan of an LED globe means that you’ll spend less money on your lighting. While they’re slightly more expensive on the outset, the few extra dollars upfront provides you with a globe that will last (almost) as long as your property.
There are LED lighting options for every room
The lighting you choose sets the tone for your home. You want to create a comfortable, inviting space. LED lighting helps you to achieve this, particularly when paired with thoughtful design to work in tandem with your home’s natural lighting.
Living areas
For the spaces that you use the most, like your living areas or a home office, opt for warm LED lights. This helps to keep things feeling comfortable – cozy, even – creating a relaxing ambience that you can enjoy any time of year.
Kitchens and workspaces
For places like your kitchen, laundry, or shed where you need to concentrate, choose a bright white LED light. Cool white light is best for task lighting, where precision and concentration is important.
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Bedrooms and bathrooms are all about comfort, so look into getting dimmable LEDs for these rooms. Think about it: when you wake up in the morning, would you rather be met by an instant bright light, or a dim glow that you can slowly turn brighter?
Outside and security lighting
LED lights provide better illumination than incandescent or CFL globes. They’re not necessarily brighter, but they’re more efficient and longer-lasting, which is important when choosing lights that will be outside in the elements.
They don’t degrade like incandescent globes, which can help to maximise the amount of time you spend outside—a dim outdoor area can kill the mood of a barbecue when the sun goes down and you’re struggling to see.
LED globes for outside lighting can also boost your security. The crisp, clear light makes it easier to illuminate your home and deter any unwanted visitors.
LED lights are the globe of choice for a high-performance home design
Whether you’re building a new home, or considering swapping out your lighting, LED globes are an investment in your future. By making the switch, you’re able to reduce your energy use, lower your electricity bill, and decrease your overall household emissions over time. You’ll also get a lighting option that’s more likely to last.
Looking to plan a high-performance home? Even if you’re only looking at the lighting, get in touch with Trueline Homes to book an energy-efficient home consultation.