Buying lighting can be quite confusing to many people, especially if they are not used to it. There are several factors that need to be considered when buying LED lighting. For you to get the most out of your investment in the long run, you have to find the right type of lighting that can last long, which is environmentally friendly and will serve your intended purpose well. If you are looking to buy LED lighting or want to know more about this kind of lighting, here are some things you need to consider when buying LED lights.
Which Fitting?
When purchasing LEDs, there are many choices to make and questions to ask. The first and most obvious is deciding whether you want your lights to be directional (with a beam angle) or non-directional (without a beam angle). Non-directional products tend to look like traditional light bulbs; they’re good for illuminating wide areas such as tables and kitchens. Directional LEDs, on the other hand, tend to look like spotlights; they’re good for spotlighting specific objects or spaces. Some fixtures can be switched between directional and non-directional lighting; others must be purchased as one or another type. This choice will affect cost and brightness (non-directionals produce a brighter light than their directional counterparts).
Domestic or Commercial?
Most, if not all, LED lighting is domestic—it’s designed for home use and can be used indoors to light rooms and outdoors as area lights. However, other types of lights should not be confused with domestic or commercial (for example, high-bay lights designed for large spaces). If you’re planning on installing LEDs outside your house, it’s a good idea to ask your local hardware store for professional advice because proper positioning is crucial when it comes to outdoor lighting. Outdoor LEDs also tend to come in larger packs than indoor ones, so size may be an issue—this is where being able to speak with a salesperson about what you need will help you avoid buying too much or too little light.
Savings Potential
When it comes to saving money, LEDs are your best bet. They’re more energy-efficient than traditional lighting, which means you can enjoy big savings on your utility bills. Plus, some models feature daylight simulation technology that adjusts to mimic natural light changes throughout each day—that way, you won’t have to keep flipping your lights on and off all day long. If you find yourself turning on or off a light several times a day or more because it seems too bright or dim, LED is a good choice for you.
Beam Angle
As LED lighting technology has evolved, it’s become increasingly important to pay attention to beam angle when you’re purchasing bulbs. This refers to how far light extends from a bulb, measured in degrees. The most common beam angles are 60 and 90 degrees, with fewer choices available for narrow beams (30 or 45 degrees). Most commercial buildings use 90-degree bulbs because they illuminate wide areas well without making people feel exposed or uncomfortable. For residential settings where the mood is important, narrower beams might be preferable; LEDs with 30- and 45-degree angles also provide better visibility than fluorescent light.
Color Temperature
A common question asked when purchasing LED lighting is what color temperature should I get? That’s a good question. Technically, color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and refers to how much blue or red there is in a light source. If you recall from earlier, white light can be created by mixing all different colors; thus, we end up with three primary colors: Red, Green, and Blue. Because we want to achieve that perfect white light in our fixtures, they must contain all three colors in their blend of colors (wavelengths). A typical warm-white bulb emits more red than blue, while a typical cool-white bulb emits more blue than red.
