What the Big Box Stores Won’t Tell You About LEDs - The Lightbulb Co. UK (2024)

FAQs

What is the big deal with LED lights? ›

LEDs are different than standard lighting: They don't really burn out and stop working like standard light bulbs. Moreover, the lighting diodes emit lower output levels over a very long period of time and become less bright.

LED lights and our devices do contain a significant amount of blue light (but with important caveats and qualifications - see below), and the concern is that excessive use during evening hours will cause our bodies to continue the production of melanopsin, making it harder to fall asleep naturally.

Enclosed fixtures protect the bulb from dust, moisture or other debris. Unfortunately, this enclosed designed isn't always compatible with LED light bulbs and can lead to overheating.

Despite their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and bright illumination, LED headlight bulbs can also produce harsh lighting that can dazzle other drivers and pedestrians, making them illegal and dangerous to use on the road. Here are three main features of illegal LED headlight bulbs.

The rapid development of LED technology has resulted in increased product availability, improved manufacturing efficiency, and lower prices. Below are some of the most common types of LED products.

Lighting accounts for around 15% of an average home's electricity use, and the average household saves about $225 in energy costs per year by using LED lighting. if you are still using incandescent light bulbs, switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills.

A 2019 report by The French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) found the blue light emitted from LEDs can harm the human eye. Blue light, common in LED devices, has a phototoxic effect. This means repeated exposure can make our skin and eyes extremely sensitive to light.

As mentioned above spiders are not directly attracted to LED lights however they may hang out near them to hunt other insects that are attracted to the light. If you're trying to keep insects and spiders off your property try switching to warm or yellow-toned LED bulbs.

Disadvantages of LED Bulbs

Most white LED bulbs emit a cooler, blue-tinted light — rather than the “warmer” glow that is associated with incandescent bulbs. Some people prefer “daylight” or “natural light” LED options. Some LED fixtures may create sharp shadows that may not be desirable in certain places in the home.

It's well-documented that exposure to blue light can negatively impact your sleep quality. Electronic screens, LED lights, and fluorescent lights can all contain blue light. One small older study from 1991 and one 2016 study on mice found evidence that green light could also negatively impact melatonin levels.

Why shouldn't you have LED lights on at night? ›

Most people sleep better in a dark environment. Since household LED lights emit blue light, which suppresses melatonin secretion, keeping bright lamps and other lights on through the night can negatively affect your ability to fall asleep, remain asleep, and sleep for an extended period of time.

While other light bulbs can get extremely hot when you turn them on, LED lights usually only get slightly warm, if at all (they may even feel cold to the touch). It is because LEDs use less energy than other bulbs, which means they don't waste as much energy producing unnecessary heat.

Final thoughts. Generally, aftermarket LED headlights are illegal for use on the road in the US. If you choose to install them anyways, they can provide a benefit to the driver of the vehicle in most operating conditions.

These cheap bulbs might be dangerously bright or throw out the wrong beam pattern that can blind oncoming traffic and get you pulled over by the police. Always aim to purchase any aftermarket bulbs from reputable brands such as OSRAM, Philips or Twenty20.

Aftermarket headlights – those that you purchase separately for your vehicle – are legal in California. LED headlights are also legal as long as they are white, have amber turn signals, and are within the 2,513-lumen limit.

LED strip lights are highly energy-efficient compared to traditional lighting options. LEDs consume less power while producing the same or even higher levels of brightness. This energy efficiency translates into reduced electricity bills and a lower carbon footprint.

Cons of LED Lighting

Color Impurity: Although cool-white LEDs are preferred to fluorescent lamps, they can change the perceived color of objects compared to natural light or even incandescent light. This is due to a spike at 460 nm and dip at 500 nm of cool-white LED illumination which is particularly harsh on reds.

LEDs are “directional” light sources, which means they emit light in a specific direction, unlike incandescent and CFL, which emit light and heat in all directions. That means LEDs are able to use light and energy more efficiently in a multitude of applications.

LED lights emit warm yellow light, very gentle to the eyes without causing glare like the light of fluorescent lights or compact. Health experts also say that LED lights not only help relax your nerves but also help you fall asleep more deeply. Many studies show that LED lights bring many benefits to human health.