Should I convert to LED bulbs?

Why should I convert to LED bulbs?

As a qualified electrician in Hemel Hempstead, I’ve seen for myself that technology has moved on in a number of ways over the years – and while many may think that the simple light bulb hasn’t moved on much over the decades, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that lighting is advancing ahead in innovation and efficiency as much as any other electrical component – and the very best lighting available in 2016 is most certainly produced by LED bulbs.

What’s wrong with traditional bulbs?

The fact of the matter is that traditional bulbs – known as incandescent lamps – are massively inefficient. Not only do they use an awful lot of electricity, but they’re also unreliable – everyone has experienced an incandescent bulb blow out on them at some point in their lives! They’re prone to lasting only a month or so at maximum, offering a very short lifespan – however, they are simple and cheap to mass-produce, making them pretty common.

These bulbs work via electricity heating the metal filament in the middle until they glow, which in fact creates more waste energy than you’d expect – as they often expel more heat than light! Incandescent bulbs have been in use since early prototypes designed by Thomas Edison in the nineteenth century – meaning it’s probably about time we looked for a better alternative.

What are LEDs and how do they work?

LED bulbs are considered to be the best option for lighting your home if you’re aiming to get the most out of your bulbs in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, and these bulbs operate via a steady current being emitted through a semi-conductor – meaning that they really make the most of the electricity that they’re given, unlike older traditional bulbs.

LEDs offer constant and efficient light that can be manipulated for different uses and situations – they are versatile in their installation as well as in what they can be manipulated to do, often appearing in various shapes, sizes, and even in different colours – they can be easily installed in modern light fittings or can be used as part of bespoke lighting designs unique to a household. They are popular for their instantaneous and superior quality of light, making them the optimal choice for home, work and even in outdoor fixtures such as garden decking or night lights.

What’s so good about LEDs?

Despite the fact that they are considerably more efficient and effective than the filament bulbs of old, there are a whole host of other reasons as to why LEDs are worth every penny, and they are well documented by professionals, homeowners and electricians alike. Let’s run through a few of the main reasons why you could stand to benefit from LED bulbs in your home:

• They are remarkably cost-efficient. Compared to incandescent and even halogen lamp bulbs, LEDs require far less power to operate, meaning that you stand to save up to 80% in energy by switching over.

• They are environmentally friendly. While incandescent bulbs use inert gases to keep their filaments alight, LED bulbs carry no light pollution or potentially dangerous contents, meaning that they are considerably safer to use and are unable to cause detrimental harm.

• LED bulbs require little maintenance. While an incandescent bulb or halogen bulb installation may need occasional checks and measures, lighting operating via LED requires little in the way of manual oversight. Once the bulb’s in, it’ll work for you as long as you’ll let it. There’s little risk of tangled wires or awkward cabling, too – as LED wiring is considerably simplified from older lighting technology.

• They will light the way for years. Whereas traditional filament bulbs burn out within a month or two, LED bulbs have been known to last up to four or five years’ constant use at a time, which when conserved correctly will allow you to benefit from affordable and effective lighting for many years to come.

• They can be used for many purposes. LEDs can be used in the home to create certain atmospheres with different colours and styles, in public via streetlamps to offer a high-quality and piercing glow, and even outside, where they are impervious to rusting and are completely bug-proof. While you’ll likely get a moth or two hankering for the heat emanating from an incandescent bulb, LEDs will offer no such attraction.

• They are adaptable and hard to break. Ever dropped a light bulb by accident? Clearing up can be a pain – but with LED bulbs, a thick coating means that they’ll not break on you so easily. They can also be adapted to a wide range of existing fittings.

Who should install LEDs?

It is important to always ensure that an experienced and qualified electrician is on hand to help install and answer any questions you may have regarding LEDs – converting to them for the first time can be a big change and there may often be internal work that needs to be completed before your brilliant new bulbs can be introduced – it’s therefore considerably safer, and less hassle for you, to have a trained expert on hand to install and test your fantastic new lighting fixture for you.

If you are interested in bringing LED bulbs into your home or garden and are looking for an electrician in Hemel Hempstead to help assist in a safe and speedy installation, why not call MK Electron? With over 12 years’ experience in the trade, I’m specialised in a wide range of lighting solutions and installations and know all too well the benefits that LEDs can bring. For safe, efficient and quality LED installations and support, call me today on 0797 355 1031 – and I can assist at a time and date that is convenient for you.