Are you looking to update your lighting fixtures at home? Do you have the dimmable LED lights in your top choices? Then you need to learn more about these interesting light options.
Though the pandemic hit the LED market, things are looking bright for the industry. The market is on track to make a recovery and reach over $78 billion over the next few years.
This is a testament to the wonders LED lights offer. As for the dimmable type, there are many interesting facts surrounding it.
If you wish to learn more about dimmable LED lights, we invite you to continue reading below. Here are seven important things you need to know about them.
1. Dimmable LED Lights Offer Additional Savings
One of the first benefits of dimmable LED lights is that they can reduce your energy expenses. A dimmable LED light fixture can save energy at around a 1:1 ratio. This means dimming an LED lamp to 50% requires only 50% of the energy that it normally uses to illuminate the room.
Furthermore, dimming your regular LED lamp will further extend its life. By dimming the LED bulb, you are reducing the heat it generates. In turn, you are lessening the stress on the different components of the lamp.
2. They Can Change the Ambience in an Instant
Do you want something that will change a room’s mood in an instant? Then a dimmable LED light can do exactly that.
By turning the dimmer switch, you can reduce the light for a cozy environment. This is perfect after a long day’s work where you want to rest your eyes and relax.
The dimming feature can work in the office setup. If you have clients who visit you in the office, you can adjust the illumination depending on their needs. You can also do the same thing to align with the visual requirements of your employees.
3. The Buzzing and Flickering Conundrum
Another thing you need to be aware of concerning its function is the buzzing sounds. You may hear these buzzing or humming sounds coming from the dimmer switches.
The buzzing happens when there is a problem with the switch mechanism. The most common area of concern is the light filament.
Dimmer switches work by interrupting the AC flow through your circuit. In turn, it can reduce the lighting levels of your LED lights. As time goes by, the electricity that flows through the dimmer can build up.
In turn, its efficiency dips and produces a buzzing sound.
This sound should alarm you, especially if the noise is coming from the switch unit. You may need to open up the switch and do some rewiring, if necessary.
However, learning how to wire dimmable LED lights is doable. You need to go through several steps to pull it off. In case the sound comes from the LED bulb, all you need is to replace it with a new one.
4. They Offer Indoor Lighting Versatility
If versatility is what you’re looking for, dimming your LED lights is something to consider. For starters, dimmable lights give you flexibility in terms of space usage.
Dimming your LED lights can turn your small reading room into an area for presentations. All you need is to adjust the dimming switch until you reach your desired lighting level.
If you’re running a restaurant, you can switch the mood by investing in some dimmable RGB LED strip lights. You can control these lights to your liking.
With Ellumiglow LED controllers, you can adjust the intensity of the LED lights. This is also applicable to trade shows where you can highlight certain products.
Additionally, you can pair the dimmable lights with a constant current driver.
As a result, you can maintain a predictable lighting intensity. This ensures that the bulb doesn’t consume anything beyond its maximum rating.
5. They Last Long
Another advantage you can expect from dimmable LED lights is longevity. You can find dimmable LED options that can give ample illumination for up to 100,000 hours. If we convert that into the number of days, that’s a whopping 4,000 operational days.
Dimmable LED lights also use some of the sturdiest materials. This allows them to withstand impacts and vibrations.
6. Increases Overall Safety
Since dimmable lights allow you to control the lighting levels, it enhances your overall safety. For starters, dimmable LED light bulbs generate less heat. This reduces the risk of a fire breaking out because of the bulb overheating.
Adjusting the bulbs at the right lighting levels increases the safety of the people. LED lighting also does a great job of illuminating outdoor areas. In turn, they can help deter intruders from entering your property.
7. Forward vs Reverse Phase Dimming
Last but not least, you need to learn about forward and reverse phase dimming. Forward phase dimming is the most common dimming method of choice in the United States. It offers many benefits like compatibility with incandescent lamps.
Using forward phasing on your incandescent lights will translate to energy savings. Another advantage is that forward phase dimming doesn’t need any re-wiring.
If you’re looking to retrofit your existing LED, neon, or cold cathode lights, forward phase dimming is the way to go.
If you use electronic transformers, you need reverse phase dimming. Compared to its forward counterpart, reverse phase dimming is the silent operator.
It also gives you better overall control when dimming down to as low as 5% lighting levels. Additionally, it is the better option for most LED light sources.
Increase Your Energy Efficiency Options
Now that you have a better perspective of dimmable LED lights, you can start using them in your home or business. However, using the best dimmable LED light bulbs is only one way to boost energy efficiency.
We invite you to check our different articles on energy usage. We discuss topics that will help turn your home into a more energy-efficient one.
Rene Bennett is a graduate of New Jersey, where he played volleyball and annoyed a lot of professors. Now as Zobuz’s Editor, he enjoys writing about delicious BBQ, outrageous style trends and all things Buzz worthy.