Choosing the right type of LED lighting for your home

Energy Savings and Lifespan

It’s true that the cost-effectiveness is remarkable, but you won’t see these savings at the outset, as they can easily cost double or even triple the price of a halogen bulb. The savings will be felt in the long run, since LEDs have a lifespan of 25,000 to 50,000 hours, 25 to 50 times longer than a traditional bulb.

The Right LED Bulb for Your Needs

Before purchasing new LED bulbs, make sure you get the right bulb, because the light output, or color, varies depending on the bulb’s Kelvin rating. There are certain standards for the most suitable type of lighting, depending on the activities and rooms in the house. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right type of lighting.

There are three types of white:

1. Warm White

Warm white has a temperature of approximately 3000° Kelvin (3000K). This light most closely resembles incandescent or halogen bulbs. Warm white projects a more yellowish light and is more restful on the eyes. It also softens skin tone and imperfections. In other words, we appear more radiant with this type of lighting.

Best places:

bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, dens, and any other room where subdued lighting is desired.

2. Cool White

Cool white is between 5000 and 6000° Kelvin (5000K to 6000K). It is a bluish light that is more similar to fluorescent lighting. Although warm white tends to change the hue of objects, cool white offers better color representation. Additionally, cool white is always slightly brighter than warm white.

Best places:

basements, workshops, garages, kitchens, and any other room in your home where bright lighting is needed.

3. Neutral (or Natural) White

Neutral white is approximately 4500° Kelvin (4500K). It falls between warm and cool white. Neither too yellow nor too blue, natural white produces a white light that won’t alter your color perception. It is often used for tasks where color accuracy is very important.

It is used in hair salons, for hair coloring or makeup, in photo studios, or in art galleries.

Please note:

If you want LED lighting under your kitchen cabinets, most of our clients opt for cool white, as it provides good, even lighting, perfect for cooking. However, if you have a more rustic or country-style kitchen with wood cabinets or countertops, we suggest warm white, which will produce a better result. Cool white creates a more modern finish and is better suited to kitchens with darker tones, such as stone countertops, tiles, and other similar materials.

In short, cool white lighting is more suitable for work areas, while warm white is more suitable for living and relaxation areas. As mentioned above, tastes vary from person to person, and the applications associated with a particular type of lighting can therefore vary. When in doubt, and before replacing all the bulbs in your home, we recommend purchasing a bulb of each color to validate your choice according to your tastes.

It’s also good to know that LED bulbs fit all sizes, shapes, and socket types. They can ideally be installed in existing sockets, so there’s no need to plan for new installations. Finally, if you want to use an LED bulb with a dimmer, make sure it’s suitable for this type of bulb.