| | | | | produces more lumens per Watt. For security |
| This article assumes you are already convinced | | | | lighting you would use pure white, for a bar most |
| about going ‘LED’ but want some specific | | | | likely warm white. |
| product ideas. In this article I would like to present | | | | |
| 3 general product categories that can be used to | | | | Finally, in the case of LED PAR lights you would |
| begin your transition to LED lighting. Each idea is | | | | have to select the number of Watts. I generally |
| going to have more than one product possibility | | | | advise multiplying by 5 to 10 when comparing to |
| that can be tailored to your exact needs. Also, | | | | incandescents. So a 5 Watt LED is like a 25 – |
| each individual product itself may various options. | | | | 50 Watt incandescent. Technically the number |
| We will discuss some of these options and how | | | | should be 5 but in addition to producing more light |
| you should go about selecting each. This is | | | | LEDs focus it better, and this can increase the |
| important as LEDs are a new technology and not | | | | multiple to about 10. When making your selections |
| everyone knows what options are available or | | | | keep in mind it is difficult to stock every |
| even exactly how to choose them. | | | | possibility. If you want commercial white with a |
| | | | | 45 degree lens you may have to put in a request. |
| The first product category is LED PAR Lights. The | | | | Try to plan in advance slightly, and the extra wait |
| word PAR is an abbreviation for parabolic | | | | is well worth it. |
| reflector. This is actually not applicable to LEDs | | | | |
| since they have lenses and are no longer | | | | The next category is LED recessed lights. LED |
| dependent on reflectors to create directional light. | | | | recessed lights offer similar options on color and |
| In fact the lenses on LED lights are much more | | | | lens angle. In the case of ceiling lights you would |
| efficient than reflectors. LED light is directional and | | | | have to choose the number of LEDs. Common is |
| can be controlled precisely with the use of lenses. | | | | 3 Watt LEDs so for example you could get lights |
| As long as we are talking about lenses that is | | | | with 3 LEDs for 9 Watts or 5 LEDs for 15 Watts |
| going to be the first thing you will have to make | | | | and so on. You can use the above multiplication to |
| a choice on. LED PAR lights can be purchased with | | | | decide on the number of lights. LED recessed |
| various lens angles. Usually you will have choices | | | | lights generally come in their own housing and so |
| like 30, 45, and 60 degree lenses. The lens | | | | are easy to install. LEDs do not produce much |
| controls the angle of the light. The tighter the | | | | heat, but remember to not put insulation directly |
| angle the more concentrated the light, and the | | | | on top of the light. I don’t think you were |
| wider the angle the more diffuse the light, but a | | | | going to do that. LED recessed lights can have |
| greater area will be illuminated. A 45 degree angle | | | | adjustable heads and hardened glass coverings. |
| is possibly most all purpose but aesthetically, and | | | | Using a grid of such lights to light a large area can |
| mathematically thirds are nicer or a 60 or 30 | | | | create a nice effect. Properly placed LED |
| degree angle. Use 60 for general purpose and 30 | | | | recessed lights can be a nice addition to your |
| for spotlighting. | | | | home lighting. |
| | | | | |
| Next when you order a PAR light you would have | | | | Finally, I would like to briefly mention light bars, |
| to select the color. One of the advantages of | | | | and light strips. These can be used for accent |
| LEDs is that you can select precisely the color of | | | | lighting, cabinet lighting, and wall lighting. Again |
| the light. Common options are warm white 2,800 | | | | properly placed these can be used to achieve |
| – 3,800K, commercial white 4,000 – | | | | some very nice effects. If you are designing a |
| 5,000K, and pure white 6,000 – 6,500K. Each | | | | new addition to your house you may want to use |
| color has its advantages depending on the | | | | light bars or light strips to highlight the features or |
| situation. Warm white is best for creating | | | | add a more subtle lighting. |
| atmosphere, while pure white is a bit brighter and | | | | |