LED Bulbs
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are a relatively new technology in the lighting industry. They are considered a green technology, and require much less energy than traditional types of bulbs. One of the main criticisms of these bulbs to this point has been their poor compatibility with dimmer switches. While virtually any LED bulb can be used in most dimmable fixtures, the basic technology behind these bulbs leads to poor control over light levels. Fortunately, the newest LED bulbs are completely dimmable, and offer much more versatility than older models.
Instructions
1. Understand the limitations of LED bulbs. The traditional LED light bulb is not designed for dimming. When placed in a dimmable fixture, the bulb will have some dimming capabilities, which will generally perform best in the upper and lower 10 percent of light levels. If you want to enjoy the benefits of an LED, and only require a limited dimming range (for example, the light is either at full or near full brightness, or it is at minimum brightness, with no options in between), then any LED bulb will work.
2. Explore the U.S. Energy Star Lighting Partners (see Resources for a link). This list contains LED bulb and fixture manufacturers that have been certified to meet Energy Star standards. As part of these standards, all LED fixtures offered by these partners must be dimmable. Each of these manufacturers also offers appropriate bulbs to maximize dimming range while minimizing energy consumption.
3. Review the bulbs offered by Earth LED (see Resources). This company was the first to offer a complete line of LED bulbs that are fully dimmable. Their line of Lumi Select bulbs can be dimmed from 100 percent to zero and may also be set at any value in between.
4. Choose the correct LED bulb base type. For example, the traditional incandescent light bulb used in most home applications has a standard size base known as a "Type A base." Bulbs used in ceiling fans, lamps, or flood lights may have bases of many different sizes and shapes. When making your purchase, be sure to specify the appropriate base design. For more information on this topic, review the Lumi Select website found in the Resources section.
5. Compare brightness levels carefully. Many homeowners are accustomed to buying bulbs based on wattages. Because of the difference in light output between LEDs and other types of bulbs, LED bulbs should be purchased based on their light output, measured in lumens. This is an important consideration when purchasing these bulbs, as a 9 watt LED bulb can produce the same light levels as a 70 watt incandescent.
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