LED lights are growing in popularity and have applications in every space. From homes to industrial buildings, contractors, architects, designers, and end users opt for LED lights because of their energy and cost-saving benefits. LED lightbulbs and fixtures come in several styles for interior and exterior use. Here’s how to choose the right LED lighting for your space.
Understanding Color Temperature, Color Rating Index & Lumens
Before we get into bulb style and design, we must understand the science of light. Every light source gives off a varying shade of white, from a brighter blue light to a warm golden tone. Think about the ultimate light – the sun. The sun’s light is golden or pink in the morning and evening. In the brightest part of the day, the sun’s light is bright white or blue. The Kelvin scale measures the temperature or color of the light source. The lighting industry uses a color range from 8,000K to 2,000K, with 5,000K being the most used. The higher the value of the light is on the Kelvin scale, the “cooler” the light will appear.
The Color Rating Index (CRI) scale has become another commonly used measurement to determine the quality of light. The scale runs from 0 -100. At zero, all colors look the same. A CRI of 100 shows the true colors of the object.
Lumens indicate how much light a light source provides. The higher the lumen, the brighter the light will appear. Lastly, watts indicate energy consumption.
Choosing the Right Light Color for Your Space
Using color temperature and lumens or CRI can help determine which LED light makes the most sense for space. Light color temperatures and brightness affect the mood and ambiance of the room. You’ll want to first look at how the area will be used.
For example, bright white LED lights help create a safe and alert environment inside a commercial building or industrial facility. Dim, warm LED lights are beneficial in a bedroom to create a calm environment to promote better sleep. Retail spaces will want lighting that shows their products’ actual color and details.
LED lights come in various color temperatures and lumens, making it easy to find an LED light solution for every room.
Another consideration is the growing trend of Human Centric Lighting design. HCL light design simulates natural light. Smart LED fixtures and bulbs, which can be programmed to change the color temperature automatically, are used to mimic the same pattern as the sun throughout the day. Hospitals, schools, homes, and offices are implementing human-centric lighting design for health and wellness.
LED Light Bulb Applications
LED light bulbs are incredibly versatile. With a variety of sizes and shapes, the possibilities are endless for architects and designers to use space more thoughtfully. Here are some ideas for using various LED fixtures and LED bulbs in your building design.
- LED strip lights and tapes can easily illuminate tight spaces, such as under cabinets, in shelving as accent lighting, or on stairs to offer more light for safety.
- Smart LED bulbs are connected to a smart device or mobile phone. Using voice control or an internet-connected app, LED Smart bulbs allow you to customize, schedule, and operate your lighting on demand, including brightness levels and RGB color.
- Decorative LED bulbs have distinctive shapes such as candle and globe styles and enhance the design of your fixture. They can also be used in vanity lights, fan lights, and appliances.
- LED highbay lights replace fluorescent lights in offices, schools, healthcare, and other work settings. LED highbay lights are available in linear and UFO styles and are designed with high lumens to project light out and down.
- Edison or Filament LED bulbs have a vintage look with clear glass and visible glowing flames. They give off a warmer glow and provide a distinguished look for your lighting fixtures.
- Standard LED bulbs are perfect for multi-purpose uses around the house or office in standard lamps and light fixtures.
- LED Downlight Fixtures or “can lights” are recessed LED lights typically used in ceilings. They can be installed in finished drywall or tile ceilings in facilities such as schools, hospitals, office buildings, and other commercial and residential applications
- LED Wall Packs are mounted to the – you guessed it – outside wall of a building and provide exterior, wide-flood area illumination for commercial, industrial, and municipal facilities.
- LED Panel Lights are made to replace conventional fluorescent ceiling lights and are designed to mount on suspended grid ceilings or recessed ceilings. LED panel lights deliver a smooth and flawless wall of illumination without visible bulbs or hot spots.
The Earthronics Difference
LED lighting provides many benefits. But not all LED lighting manufacturers are the same. Earthtronics is dedicated to developing innovative, energy-efficient lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact for our customers. We maintain a U.S.-based inventory to curb supply chain issues, provide complete kits for ease of installation, and offer exceptional product warranties.
Earthronics sells to lighting and electrical distributors, commercial and residential contractors, energy management companies, and more across the United States and Canada. Together we can make your next lighting project a success. Contact us today!