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Install LED Downlights and Save on Your Energy Expenses

LED lighting has changed the way we light our homes and work. Each year, more and more people are saving energy by switching to power efficient LED’s. The lower monthly electric bills soon pay for the greater initial cost of LED lighting, and add up to real savings.

LED downlights are a good choice for all the same residential and commercial applications incandescent downlights are used in. They provide warm and pleasant light at a fraction of the energy cost, about one-eighth that of incandescent, and one-half that of fluorescent. Adjustable LED downlights are particularly good for task lighting or highlighting an object.

LED replacement bulbs are available for standard light cans, as well as complete LED downlights for new builds or renovations. These LED downlights, whether replacement bulbs or new fixtures, come in both a cool white light very similar to that provided by the standard fluorescent, and a comfortable warm white like the familiar incandescent.

LED downlights are available which shed either narrow spot-like beams for illuminating a particular spot, or broad flood-like beams to light a whole area. Some LED downlights are fixed, others can be adjusted to aim at different locations. Whatever conventional downlights have been used for in the past, there is an LED downlight ready to do the same job and save a lot of energy in the process.

Be sure to research the alternatives and find the right LED downlight for your application. Choose carefully. Compare warm white and cool white lights and consider will be nicer to live with. Look at the room: is a narrow or broad light better, should the light be fixed or adjustable. Consult a local electrician and take advantage of their experience. Remember, LED lights can be expected to last many times as long as incandescent and fluorescent lights. Take the time to find the right LED downlights.

Posted By: Mary Wecker

By Mary at 9:35:48 PM - Comments

LED Floodlights Light Up the Night

In both landscaping and architecture, floodlights have been used to showcase homes and businesses for decades. Whether illuminating an entire building or one special tree, floodlights pick points of beauty out of the night. LED floodlights shed brilliant light on the landscape, yet use less power, generate less waste heat, and last far longer than traditional lights.

So much energy is saved by LED floodlights that more than twice as many floodlights can be installed while still cutting energy use in half. Most LED floodlights are 120-277 volts, just like conventional lights, except for drawing less power, and can easily be fit into existing landscape wiring. The best of these lights are UL Listed with 5 year warranties.

Another option exists in 12 volt or 24 volt floodlights. Low voltage lights offer some real advantages for outdoor use: low voltage cable doesn’t need to be buried as deeply, is less dangerous if accidentally cut, and power consumption is low enough to consider using a solar power system. The disadvantage is the need for a 12 (or 24) volt transformer which must be housed in a weatherproof location, and may wear out and need to be replaced before the LED’s.

The much lower energy costs and very long life of LED’s lead to a real savings over time, despite LED floodlights having a higher original purchase price. There is also the less obvious saving in labor. Instead of changing out bulbs every year or two (if you’re lucky), LED lights will not usually need to be changed for 7-10 years. The highest quality LED floodlights last 20 years running 12 hours a day.

LED floodlights are available in both replacement bulbs for existing features and new, dedicated LED fixtures. Replacement outdoor LED bulbs come in various sizes, light color and lumens (lighting power) to fit different floodlight fixtures and uses. New LED floodlight fixtures are available in many sizes, shapes, and colors to fit almost any décor; and they also come in a wide variety of lumen output from soft accent lights of 100 lumens to powerful 6,000 lumen building illuminators.

Most LED floodlights come in a choice light colors. The most common are “warm white” around 3000K (light color is often measured in degrees Kelvin, or K), similar to the color of an incandescent; and “daylight”, around 5000K with no golden hue. Daylight is more like what we have been used to seeing in a standard fluorescent tube. Other tones are available to suit a wide variety of applications.

As with all LED’s, LED floodlights do not contain toxic chemicals. Considering this absence of pollutants, their very long life, and low energy use, LED floodlights are by far the environmentally friendly of all floodlights.

Floodlights are a brilliant way (pun intended) to draw attention to the best and most important features of homes and businesses. Environmentally friendly, long lasting, cheap to run, the many advantages of LED floodlights make them the obvious and best choice for every landscaper, whether professional or DIY, to light up the night.

By: Mary Wecker

By Mary at 11:22:17 PM - Comments

LED Cabinet and Under Cabinet Lights

Interior decorators are choosing LED under cabinet lighting more and more often; and so are many do-it-yourself decorators. The reasons are not hard to understand. LED under cabinet lights come in a variety of styles, from simple one LED “pucks” to light bars in many lengths to flexible LED strips. All of these come on instantly and provide flicker-free light; and most are easy to install.

Flexible LED strip provides interior decorators with exciting new cabinet lighting options. It is so thin and flexible it can be installed in spaces where no conventional light could possibly fit. It is often installed on top of cabinets as indirect lighting, as under cabinet lighting stretching along the entire countertop, and, increasingly popular, behind the toe-kick panel as a floor accent light. In kitchens with a translucent counter top, LED strips can be used to make the countertop glow, accenting the countertop and bathing the kitchen in a beautiful glow.

Many LED under cabinet lights are dimmable. Some are built to work with wall dimmers; others utilize low voltage dimmers. Both are an excellent way to achieve a night light effect in the kitchen and other rooms.

LED under cabinet lights produce a pure light which contains no ultraviolet. Unlike fluorescent lights, LED lights will not contribute to the fading of paintings or fabrics.

Most LED under cabinet lights come in a choice of warm white or daylight. Warm white is similar to incandescent light, enhancing the warmth of wood and earth tones, and daylight, similar to fluorescent in color, gives a bright, efficient light for the working kitchen.

Like all LED lights, LED under cabinet lights consume much less energy than other lights, half that of fluorescent lights and one-eighth that of incandescent lights. In addition, LED under cabinet lights produce less waste heat than incandescent, an important feature when located next to sensitive articles.

LED under cabinet lights do cost more than incandescent or fluorescent lights. However, their lower energy consumption leads to significant savings in energy bills. Since quality LED lights can be expected to last far longer than other lights, they are actually less expensive over the life of the light.

For everyone concerned about the environment, LED lights have an additional benefit. Unlike fluorescent lights, LED’s contain no toxic materials. Fluorescents contain small amounts of mercury, while LED’s are just as safe as incandescent lights.

Interior decorators choose LED under cabinet lighting because LED’s just make sense; and they make just as good sense for anyone wanting to improve their home lighting.

By Mary at 5:04:13 AM - Comments

Install LED Downlights and Save on Your Energy Expenses

LED lighting has changed the way we light our homes and work. Each year, more and more people are saving energy by switching to power efficient LED’s. The lower monthly electric bills soon pay for the greater initial cost of LED lighting, and add up to real savings.

LED downlights are a good choice for all the same residential and commercial applications incandescent downlights are used in. They provide warm and pleasant light at a fraction of the energy cost, about one-eighth that of incandescent, and one-half that of fluorescent. Adjustable LED downlights are particularly good for task lighting or highlighting an object.

LED replacement bulbs are available for standard light cans, as well as LED downlight fixtures for new builds or renovations. These LED downlights, whether replacement bulbs or new fixtures, come in both a cool white light very similar to that provided by the standard fluorescent, and a comfortable warm white like the familiar incandescent.

LED downlights are available which shed either narrow spot-like beams for illuminating a particular spot, or broad flood-like beams to light a whole area. Some LED downlights are fixed, others can be adjusted to aim at different locations. Whatever conventional downlights have been used for in the past, there is an LED downlight ready to do the same job and save a lot of energy in the process.

Be sure to research the alternatives and find the right LED downlight for your application. Choose carefully. Compare warm white and cool white lights and consider will be nicer to live with. Look at the room: is a narrow or broad light better, should the light be fixed or adjustable. Consult a local electrician and take advantage of their experience. Remember, LED lights can be expected to last many times as long as incandescent and fluorescent lights. Take the time to find the right LED downlight.

By Mary at 3:33:12 AM - Comments

Power Savings in style through LED Products

What was once thought of as a space age technology and which could never be commercially viable is now slowly making its way deeper into the everyday lives of people all around the world. LED products have now grown to such popularity that they have started replacing conventional lighting solutions at home with LED lights, and to much better effect than the previous lights!

Why LED products?

People have started to wonder about all the hype that surrounds LED lighting solutions and why they are being touted as the next big thing in energy efficient lighting. The main selling point when it comes to LED lighting is its efficiency and its flexibility. Because of the science behind the technology of LEDs which has been subject to years and years of innovation and continued refinement, present day LEDs and most energy efficient and offer better lighting than the regular lights.

Also, conventional lights needed sockets, plugs and holders etc. to use them, and frames and choke to mount them and start them. But when it comes to LED lighting, there hasn't been a more elegant system developed to date! Because of their small size and relatively less wiring, LED lights can be seamlessly integrated into the décor, even to such an extent that their presence is unnoticed till they are actually lit up! Such is the versatility of these LED products.

Power savings! How much are we talking about?

Because of the difference in the mechanism of light production, and its inherent small size, LEDs are capable of running on a fraction of the power that regular light bulbs, CFLs and tube lights need to run on. This being the case, they are about 80-85% more economical when compared to the traditional lighting solutions, and hence these can significantly cut down the electricity bills of a building, especially so if it's a big structure like a multi-storied building, where power consumption is the topmost expense that one has to monitor.

LEDs are too expensive, how can I invest so much and expect to save money?

LED products are still new in the industry, and their production is still not up to speed to match the demand that they have created. LED products may always be more expensive than traditional lighting products, perhaps even double their cost for the time being. But, the incentive that these lights give in money saving are only appreciated in the long term, when they show the customer that they have been saving significant amounts of money in energy expenses.

Patience pays off when it comes to LEDs. And if you have the concern for our environment that many of us do, just think about the impact consuming less energy and


By Mary at 10:40:32 PM - Comments

Shining Some Natural Light on Your Outdoor Space

Solar LED lights are the upcoming lighting solution for spaces around a building such as lawns and patios. Adding light to your outdoor spaces adds that little bit of extra suave and sophisticated atmosphere to your home and provides a calm and serene setting for your family to enjoy.

The Sun: the Energizer battery of the solar system
For as long as man can remember, the sun has been the symbol of unlimited, inexhaustible continuous and ubiquitous power for the Earth and for a long time to come it will still be the same way. But in the industrial and post-industrial era, the power race became so intense that people woke up to the fact that fossilized fuels will not last. Man looked to the sun and for a means to harvesting its vast energy. With the demonstration of the photoelectric effect, the possibility that the sun could be used to harvest and produce electrical energy became a reality. But as all scientific initiatives come across roadblocks along the way, such was the case of solar energy development. Research and innovation lead to the development of the present solar LED lights which are becoming increasingly popular all over the world.

How does this work?

These lights work on the physical law of photoelectric effect. The challenges though, to make this possible were immense, as solar radiation consists of different types of radiation of different wavelengths, a large percentage of which were incompatible to be utilized for energy production. But with continued innovation and research, we have the present lighting system.

These lights are powered by batteries, which in turn are charged by the solar radiation that bears down on the solar panels that they are connected to. This charging process occurs through the day. At dusk, when the intensity of solar light decreases, the solar LED lights turn on automatically by means of a light sensor, and remain on through the evening and night. In the morning as the sun rises, they turn off automatically by the same light sensor.

How long do these last?

Generally speaking, when the solar panel is able to collect sufficient sunlight during daylight hours, your solar LED lights will last for about 12-14 hours. This, of course, depends on the number of and characteristics of the lights you install, the number of solar panels you have, and the size and number of storage batteries in your system. It is important to locate your solar panels so they won’t be hampered by leafy trees or building shadows. LED garden lights are low voltage and consume very little battery power. This makes them the optimum choice for use with solar power. Keep in mind that although dawn to dusk controls are popular, you can also use a timer to limit the number of hours your lights draw energy from the battery.
You can enjoy an abundance of well placed, tasteful landscape lighting effects without spending a penny on electricity, thanks to the power of the Sun.


By Mary at 8:42:17 PM - Comments

Choosing the Right Brightness for Your LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights are the lighting solution of the future; there are no disagreements about that. With the CFL, tube lights and especially the incandescent bulb becoming less popular as the days pass, LEDs are here to become the next mainstay in lighting solutions. One thing is certain, in the next 10 years, LED lights will be used in just about every device, every house, and every street and corner in the world, and not without good reason.

LED lights are a result of the continuous refinement and application in the field of semiconductors and their applications to light up the homes of the future.

Too bright is not right!

As attractive and efficient as they are, LED strip lights should be used effectively and judiciously. These are devices which are capable of emitting significant amounts of illumination and when not properly placed, these can make a setting either overtly bright or inadequately dull. Hence these are to be placed and positioned perfectly to achieve the best ambience that is required for the setting. These strip lights are commonly available in standard lengths ranging from 9" to about 48”. Some can be but can be cut and others joined into customized lengths and configurations.

The arrangement of these lights can be done on a wide variety of surfaces and are available in resistant casings, therefore offering rugged and at the same time pliable lighting option. From walls to windows to doors and cabinets and even outdoor gazebos, these versatile lights can be employed most anywhere without worry of damage to the components by rain or the other forces of nature.

How to know what to buy and if it is right?

LED strip lights are flexible lighting solutions, but how does one know if they are making the right product choice for the job? And also how does one select the lights when purchasing? These are a matter of judgment, and take some experience to assess what type, brightness and color of lights to use where. The type of lights to buy usually corresponds to the type of setting that one is looking to create in the scene. A calming, serene setting will require the use of low intensity or dimmable lights. To attract attention, one would use brighter or possibly even multi-colored lighting. It is left to the judgment and imagination of the client to decide as to what they will do with the setting. However, we are here to help if you have any questions whatsoever about which lights to use for what purpose.

Are LEDs worth the investment?

Before you second guess about the investment, consider a few factors. LED lighting products generally have a useful lifespan fo 30,000 to 50,000 hours. That means no changing light bulbs, nothing to dispose of, and little or no maintenance. Consider also the impact on the environment. As we decrease our dependence on fossil fuels, we enhance our environment. As we put less toxic materials into our landfills, we not only have better living conditions today, but we preserve a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren. What better investment can humanity imagine?

By Mary at 8:04:59 PM - Comments

Why do we use Traffic Safety Products?

Ever since they came into existence, LED lights have found their way into a number of applications and have started to take the place of conventional light bulbs because of their superior qualities. The previous generation of traffic safety products employed incandescent bulbs and colored filters for red, amber and green. These have been replaced with solid state LEDs (light emitting diodes) which produce color without filters which can be damaged and can fade.

Road safety is of tantamount importance as an increasing number of people opt to have personal vehicles and the density of vehicles on the road has steadily increased. Here are some of the LED Traffic Safety Products that are employed:

• Traffic batons: LED traffic batons are used by traffic personnel to direct and manage traffic manually, especially in the dark. These are invaluable during the evening, especially during rush hour or when there is road construction or perhaps an unfortunate accident. LED traffic batons are high visibility and enable traffic management personnel to signal for quite a long distance to warn and re-direct drivers.

• PALight LED flashlights: This handy little personal flashlight is a great safety aid for every motorist to keep in the vehicle. Not only does it have a strobe (flashing) mode one can use to signal for help, but it also has a traffic cone accessory. The red cone fits over the lens of the flashlight. In an instant, your pocket flashlight is converted into a traffic directing aid. This simple flashlight uses just one 9V battery and is a safety tool you’ll want to have with you at all times.

• Strobe lights: These are flashing Xenon Traffic Safety Products which have an optional, long lasting white LED module. Different color (red, blue, green, amber or clear), impact resistant lenses can be used for different safety purposes. There is also a traffic cone adapter which allows the strobe light to be inserted into the top of a traffic cone in the event of a traffic emergency. A magnet can be attached to the base of the strobe so it can be securely mounted on the roof of a vehicle in the event it is disabled.

• LED safety vests: These are light and comfortable vests which are fitted with red LEDs in strips. These vests afford high visibility for traffic management personnel which is prominent enough for fast moving vehicles to see workers against otherwise dull environments. As more and more people take to the roadways at night for exercise on bicycles, walking pets, or jogging for health, the LED safety vests are finding new and important uses.

• Flare alerts: These are flat devices, similar to that of strobe lights, which are employed by policemen, fire fighters, and road safety personnel to alert drivers to any unsafe condition on the roadway. A Flare Alert safety kit is a good thing for drivers to keep in their personal vehicles, especially while driving in remote areas. Multiple vehicle accidents can be avoided when oncoming traffic has sufficient warning of an accident in time enough to react. The strong magnetic base on the Flare Alert will attach to the roof of a vehicle, getting you the help you need in any roadside emergency.

With no incandescent bulbs to burn out, your LED traffic safety products will work when you need them. Batteries last much longer due to very low current draw. It is no wonder that LED Traffic Safety Products are making a big difference in the way that traffic management authorities are able to help commuters and increase overall roadway safety.

By Mary at 7:37:46 PM - Comments

LED Lighting Fixtures Produce a Cleaner and More Efficient Light Source

With the passage of time, several changes have been noticed in our day to day lives which lead to innovative new technologies. In this tech savvy generation, a LED light bulb has been one of the greatest innovations to date by replacing the filament bulbs which ruled for so many decades. The new LED light bulbs consume much less energy and produce bright light along with a life span of around nine to ten years, which is obviously much better than the filament bulb.

A light emitting diode is known as an LED which is an excellent light source. LED light fixtures are becoming more and more widely accepted. They are capable of producing about 80 Lumens per watt, and technology is advancing rapidly to gain even more promising efficacy.

These LED light fixtures use the power attained during the movement of electrons in order to produce light. This is a better method of producing light than common bulbs which use a delicate filament that can break away at any point of time.

To understand the mechanics of LED light bulbs you have to understand the detail which reveals that as soon as the photons are released in the external direction, the diode in the LED light bulb focuses the light through the end of a bulb which is made of plastic and this in turn generates light.

There are so many advantages to using LED light. LEDs last longer and are highly durable than traditional bulbs. LED light bulbs are free from mercury and there is no chance of exposure to dangerous substances. LED light bulbs do not generate a large amount of heat as regular filament bulbs do, and there is a LED light fixture for just about any kind of location. LED light fixtures consume about one third of the electricity, and last much longer than filament bulbs.

LED light fixtures are energy savers, and they are the best choice to save energy as well as money.

LED light bulbs are protecting the environment from gas emission. By using LED light bulbs worldwide ‘Go-Green’ is definitely attainable. LED light bulbs will not carry any mercury, carbon dioxide, or sulphur oxide into the environment. Hence, they will not produce any gas emissions. LEDs are safer to use, and there is no special procedure required to dispose of them.


By Mary at 2:07:37 AM - Comments

LED Light bulbs: The Economical and Environmentally Friendly Lighting Option

Responsible consumers are aware that we have abused our natural resources for decades upon decades. We all know that the time is now. We must take positive, direct steps to minimize the waste of energy. One such positive step is to replace energy gobbling light sources with energy efficient and long lasting LED lights. Light Emitting Diode Light bulbs are solid state products which use LEDs to produce a reliable, high quality light. Even though the initial cost of LED light bulbs are higher than traditional lamps, in the long run they are much more user friendly, energy saving and long lasting. As this technology grows, LED bulbs are brighter and become even more affordable. LED light bulbs save around 90% of current consumption and have a useful life of up to 9-10 years. Unlike fluorescent lights, LED lights don’t have a ‘warm up’ cycle and are not adversely affected by normal temperature extremes. Light emitting diodes have directional characteristics. That means that none of the light is lost upward into a fixture. It is directed to where the light is needed. Efficiency indeed!

Different types of LEDs:

There are many LED bulbs to choose from. There is a LED bulb you can employ just about anywhere in your home or business, indoors or outdoors.

1) LED T8 tubes are ideal for replacement of fluorescent tubes for residential and business purposes, having low power consumption with longer life cycle. Because of their directional characteristics, LEDs also minimize lumen loss. The fully recyclable T8 tubes do not contain any kind of hazardous or toxic materials.

2) Standard A-19 or pear shaped LED bulbs are dimmable using most standard line voltage dimmers already installed in your home.

3) Many countries have already started using GU10 LED as a replacement of hot halogen lights for indoor use. If you’ve recently purchased an “Energy Star” light fixture or paddle fan light kit, it may have come with not only ugly, but mercury laden fluorescent bulbs. A GU-24 base LED lamp is now available to replace those fluorescent bulbs with something much more eye-appealing and effective.

4) Globe shaped LED bulbs are the perfect choice for bathroom fixtures. The milky white glass coating is easy on the eyes and produces a pleasant light.

5) LED candelabra bulbs now have quite an elegant look which makes them a perfect replacement for your incandescent chandelier bulbs. These bulbs have a life span of 25,000 to 30,000 hours. They can also be used in the type of electric candles we frequently place in windows during the holidays or for decoration.

6) Remote controlled RGB LED light bulbs can give an outstanding ambience with seven colour changing modes. These can produce a rainbow effect when it’s time for entertaining, or a selection of different colors to choose from for seasonal or décor changes.

7) R20, R30 and R38 LED flood bulbs are a great alternative to halogen lamps with no Ultra Violet or Infra-Red radiation. Not only are they perfect for household use, but some are even able to be placed outdoors in bare lamp holders.

The concept of saving energy through LED light bulbs is easy to understand and adapt to your personal situation. LED light bulbs are economical and environmentally friendly. You’re not just saving money on energy, you’re saving our resources.

By Mary at 3:30:26 AM - Comments

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