The Homeowner’s Guide to LED Lighting Upgrades That Save Money

What is LED Lighting?

LED stands for 'light emitting diode', designed to produce light without wasting energy as heat. If you were to touch an LED light bulb that has been on for hours, you would note it is cool to the touch, whereas incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs can get quite hot after just a few minutes.

The reason traditional light bulbs heat up this way is that they use energy inefficiently, which you wouldn't want, since lighting accounts for a large part of your home's energy use. By upgrading to LED lighting, you get lights that are not just brighter but also more energy-efficient.

Benefits of Upgrading to LED Lights

LED lights are one of those rare upgrades that really check all the boxes: they're energy-efficient, save you money, look great, and help make daily life a little easier. They are perfect for modernizing your home, and the benefits LED lighting offers are noticeable right away. Here are the key benefits of switching to LED light bulbs.

Lower Energy Bills

LED lights use far less electricity than incandescent and fluorescent lights, which means you can keep your lights on without sending your energy bill through the roof.

Longer Lifespan

If you're tired of constantly changing burned-out light bulbs, you'll be happy to know that LED lights can last for years before needing to be replaced. So, install them, put away your ladder, and relax.

Less Maintenance

Since LEDs can last a long time and are much cooler than traditional lights, they put less strain on your lighting fixtures and wiring. As a result, you make fewer service calls and have much lower long-term repair costs.

Better Lighting Quality

LED lighting provides clean, consistent brightness without flickering or warm-up time. From crisp task lighting to cozy ambient light, LEDs will light up every room perfectly.

Greater Design Flexibility

If you want to set the mood, brightness, and style of any space, you can find a variety of LED designs, ranging from smart lighting and color temperature options to under cabinet lighting and LED recessed lights.

LED Lighting vs. Traditional Bulbs

Now that we know the benefits of LED lights, let’s do a quick comparison to create a brighter picture of how LEDs differ from the usual incandescent and fluorescent lights.

Incandescent Lights

Incandescent bulbs are known to burn hot (wasting a lot of energy) and have a short lifespan, resulting in a very high long-term cost. If there is one good thing about incandescent lights, it is that they emit a nice, warm light.

Fluorescent Lights

While a little more efficient than Incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lights need time to warm up, often flicker, don’t like being turned on and off frequently, and offer little in terms of customization.

Choose the Right LEDs for Your Home

With so many options available, picking LED lights for your home may feel overwhelming. However, once you know what to look for, choosing the perfect ones becomes relatively easy. Here are three things to keep in mind when you're shopping for LEDs.

Color Temperature

Color temperature is all about atmosphere. Warm white LEDs are perfect for living rooms and bedrooms, while cool or daylight colors are best for kitchens and bathrooms.

All in the Lumens

When choosing an LED bulb based on brightness, look at the lumens, not watts: the higher the lumens, the brighter the light, but energy use remains the same.

Smart and Dimmable LED Options

Dimmable LEDs give you more control over your home's mood, while smart LEDs take it one step further. With a combination of app controls, scheduling, and even voice activation, smart lighting offers you more convenient ways to control and customize your lighting with a push of a button.

Best Places for LED Lighting Upgrades

Now that we've covered the basics of LED lighting and some of its benefits, let's discuss where it can have the most significant impact in your home.

Living Rooms and Common Areas

If you want to set the perfect mood for your family activities, like weekly movie nights and family gatherings, LED lighting can do just that.

Bedrooms and Guest Rooms

To add gentle lighting that is easy on the eyes and suitable for setting healthy sleep routines, Warm LEDs and dimmable lights are the best options.

Kitchens and Dining Areas

LED lights are suitable for providing bright, reliable lighting in your kitchen. They make cooking, cleaning, and eating much safer and more enjoyable.

Bathrooms

If you want bright, clean lighting in your bathroom, LED vanity lights and overhead fixtures are great for keeping the area well-lit for your daily and nightly routines.

Outdoor Lighting

If you want to boost your evening curb appeal, keep essential areas well-lit, or improve outdoor security, LED outdoor lighting is the perfect choice, as it shines brighter and lasts longer than standard fluorescent and incandescent lights.

When Should You Upgrade?

The best time to upgrade to LEDs is before utility costs increase or before your old lighting fixtures fail. To be more specific, you should go with an LED lighting upgrade when:

• You are doing a remodel or renovation
• You need an electrical panel upgrade
• You need to replace old or outdated fixtures
• You plan to sell your home
• Monthly energy bills continue climbing

Don’t Hesitate to Call Professionals

While swapping to LED light bulbs can be a simple DIY project anyone can undertake, a complete LED lighting upgrade will require a professional’s touch. Expert electricians like Texas Strong Electric can handle planning and installation easily, ensuring your new LED lights work safely and efficiently. The best time to call us is when you need help with:

• Whole-home lighting design
• Recessed lights and under cabinet lighting
• Outdoor LEDs and security lighting
• Dimmer and smart lighting installation
• Electrical panel and circuit evaluation for your new LEDs

An Upgrade You Won’t Regret

Thanks to its many benefits, LED lights let you enjoy a greater return on your investment, allowing you to have firmer control over your monthly utility bills while brightening your home. Of all lighting upgrades, LED lighting is proof that small changes can result in big savings.

Do you want to swap your incandescent or fluorescent lights for LEDs? Contact our San Marcos electrician at Texas Strong Electric to get started!