When one asks save on the electricity bill, in addition to responsible consumption, have efficient products is an important part of the equation. If we are talking about light bulbs, the classic low-power compact fluorescent type has tough competition in the LED bulbs.
When we go to buy a LED light bulb and we have to choose a suitable model is typical of any doubt we saw the price. There are models with a large difference in price and features that we consider to hit when buying a LED bulb. Here in LifeStyleQA we have developed a shopping guide with the reasons for choosing the technology to our LED bulbs, as well as tips and key points when deciding what to buy LED bulb.
Why choose an LED bulb?
Within the market for lighting, lamp types currently enjoy better reputation are the LED bulbs. They are considered low-consumption models but base their operation on the inclusion of light-emitting diodes rather than fluorescent compact as current.
LED bulbs are the first models more efficient when it comes to produce light, medium having an 80% savings compared to incandescent, but also taking some advantage to the classic low consumption. An LED bulb about 14 W has equivalence with a 100 W incandescent and low consumption of about 20 W.
More options, lower consumption, cleaner and longer life, but also much more expensive than low-power
In addition to increased efficiency, LED technology is a significant increase in the lifetime of a light bulb, reaching on average in quality models above 40,000 hours.
Other advantages of using LEDs has to do with his power is instant, there are more choices for color temperature can be regulated and are also considered less polluting, especially boasting not contain any mercury, which is one of the disadvantages of light bulbs fluorescent type.
In terms of design, choosing LED technology allows companies to manufacture a differential bulb, adapting formats with both classic and with low power consumption is not so easy to achieve.
View all these benefits, why not be as the LED light in all cases? As a matter of cost. Except in corporate environments or public spaces, changing LED bulbs saves us to repay short-term (in an average household would be over 10 years) and only makes sense when it comes to substitution.
We must also not forget the quality of LED bulbs we buy. In affordable ranges trademarks not reference, it is common electronic elements fail prematurely (especially involving transformer) or its brightness also come down before marking its theoretical life by using more LEDs lower quality or an unsuitable diffusing material causing operation at a temperature higher than the recommended (LED bulbs emit infrared light and heat must be dissipated in the building elements).
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Choosing an LED bulb
When deciding what to buy LED bulb to replace classic low consumption, design, cap or price is not the only thing you should look at. The specification sheet is a set of indicators and features that you should consider for the LED bulb you choose is the most appropriate.
Consumption and efficiency
- Power: Is measured in watts and is used by the bulb. LED bulbs in correspondence power and the amount of light they generate are not as straightforward as in other categories. The smaller, less consume the bulb.
- Equivalence in watts: This is the equivalent power of an incandescent lamp with the same light output
- Energy efficiency class: As in appliances, is a visual way to know how efficiently it is a bulb
- Power factor: One of the keys of the LED bulbs. This is a reference to the amount of energy transformed into light bulb, and is indicated on a scale from 1 to 10. In the LED lights this value is usually high, up from 0.7 in good models, which means that 70% of the energy is converted into light.
- Light output or light emission: A measure of the amount of light that can produce a bulb measured in lumens. This feature is a good indicator of the quality of an LED can therefore offer great flow underpowered. If such data is not indicated, it can approximately calculate the number of 70 watts.
Duration and operation
- Lifetime: Indicates the number of hours that the LED bulb will work correctly
- Power cycles: This number represents how many times can turn on / off the lamp before it starts to fail
- Starting time / preheating is the time that elapses until the bulb reaches 60% of its luminosity. In the case of the LED bulbs it is usually instantaneous.
- Maintenance factor (lumen): The percentage of luminous flux that the manufacturer claims when the hours of life have passed in the conditions. A figure of 0.7 is usually adequate.
- Adjustable: If we are to use the bulb with a regulator, we must ensure that it is compatible and on the advice of the manufacturer
Appearance
- Color Temperature: Measured in degrees Kelvin and corresponds to the light tone of a light source. The higher, colder and blue will be the source of white light
- Light color: The definition depends on the manufacturer and indicates the type of light that we get to a specific color temperature in colloquial language.
- Color rendering index: One of the strengths of LED bulbs and is related to the quality of light. It represents the reliability of the light compared to natural light. It is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100 and the higher, lighter quality provides the LED bulb.
- Beam angle: Is the opening angle of the light beam. Depending on the type of lighting that seek (more large or concentrated) and this fact should be.
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Top Brands LED bulbs
Throughout this buying guide we have been telling you why change the lighting to LED models to exploit its advantages (mainly consumption and life) as well as the keys to choose the best LED bulb that fits our needs. That is actually the key to choose one model or another.
In the market there is an abundant supply but you have to be very careful with the models that we acquire. Although it depends on each model and its performance, as a rule LED bulbs are still products with a price well above models under equivalent consumption and hence the temptation to save models of unknown brands. In such cases we are more likely dissipation material is not adequate or that despite a lower price, it appears that just failing much earlier than it should for technology, or use lower-quality LEDs that should be grouped.
Generally, it is advisable to use well-known brands in the world of lighting, including:
- Philips: The reference in lighting has a vast catalog of LED bulbs both in form and performance. And money, as there are good packs as two 60 W equivalent LED that Amazon goes. It includes models for appliances and in which we want to also make the jump to the world LED.
- Osram: Another classic reference with which, regardless of the need for LED light we have, we ensure a minimum quality and warranty.
- Ikea: Nordic manufacturer and only sell LED bulbs type in their establishments, and is one of the best options when you want to get a set price without sacrificing quality and security of a strong brand.
- LG: Some manufacturers of electronic classics have broken into the business of LED lights.LG has Downlight type models and classic models, and halogen-like tube.
- GE: Its range is not as wide as that of other classic brands, but they are a good alternative if we opt for classic and less decorative patterns.
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