LED too bright for house, need help

[fred d]

My wife and I are doing renovating around our home.
We picked LED lights because of the energy savings.

The problem that we’re having is the lights are so insanely bright that it’s ridiculous (shower stall and Hall way so far)
Aside from putting a dimmer switch on each one… (Which not all lights are dimmable) does anybody have any suggestions.
The ones we have show to be 2700 lumens, which is the lowest ones we saw

These lights are so bright I’m considering putting them in my garage just because of the brightness

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Platonic Solid]

I suppose suggesting that you get lower lumen output bulbs is too obvious.
What is the lumen output of the bulbs in question?
Can you post a link to the exact bulb(s) purchased?
What type of fixtures are the bulbs in?

 

[NUTTSGT]

What color are they ? If they are a 5000K, they will appear brighter with a "whiter" light. A switch to a softer color like warm white and 3000K may be more appeasing.

 

[fred d]

They are fixtures with the the bulbs built in

As stated above they are 2700 lumens

 

[Platonic Solid]

2700 Lumens or 2700K CCT?
Can you post a link to the exact fixtures purchased?

 

[ForceFed70]

Is the interior finished? Keep in mind that once you add furnishing, paint the walls (assume it's primer or bare white drywall at the moment), flooring, etc the light will be reflected less and will appear dimmer.

 

[jp828108]

buy fixtures that take bulbs, and put led bulbs in? Seems like that would make more sense, especially if the fixture starts having any type of failure then the entire fixture has to be removed, and replaced. Fixtures that take bulbs would also allow you to pick a different bulbs depending on how much light you need. you could purchase lower wattage led bulbs to reduce the light output.

 

[CJ7VFR]

They are fixtures with the the bulbs built in

As stated above they are 2700 lumens

How may bulbs are in each fixture? Or do the fixtures have some other type of LED's in them?

Jim

 

[ard]

If you are replace existing bulbs, you should determine the color temp and lumens of your existing bulbs.

10 minutes of googling should do it.

Then, as you consider replacements- pay attention to these numbers. DO NOT buy bulbs that don't include this info. Don't mix and match color temperatures, especially when different bulbs are in the same room, on at the same time or visible in the same 'view'. IMO chose one temp and stick to that.

Dial up or down on the lumens based on the current light levels.

 

[Lelandwelds]

My wife and I are doing renovating around our home.
We picked LED lights because of the energy savings.

The problem that we’re having is the lights are so insanely bright that it’s ridiculous (shower stall and Hall way so far)
Aside from putting a dimmer switch on each one… (Which not all lights are dimmable) does anybody have any suggestions.
The ones we have show to be 2700 lumens, which is the lowest ones we saw

These lights are so bright I’m considering putting them in my garage just because of the brightness

Thanks for the feedback

I will play the guessing game!

Was it one of these?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-...Fits-Housing-Diameter-5-in-or-6-in/1000253953

 

[fred d]

I will play the guessing game!

Was it one of these?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-...Fits-Housing-Diameter-5-in-or-6-in/1000253953

One like that was in the shower. We put 4 similar ones in dining room on a dimmer and my wife loves them

 

[Platonic Solid]

So the 2700 is as I expected = Lamp color temperature, not Lumens.
The above linked lamp is 650 Lumens, 2700K CCT

 

[fred d]

Here is the one in the hall
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-L...el-LED-Flush-Mount-Light-ENERGY-STAR/50373138

 

[fred d]

So the 2700 is as I expected = Lamp color temperature, not Lumens.
The above linked lamp is 650 Lumens, 2700K CCT

Thank you for clearing that up
I thought it was the lumens number

 

[Shiftless]

I wouldn’t think that 650 lumens for a stall shower would be insanely bright.
That’s what’s in mine and it is great. 2700 K color temperature. Tile walls are light green marbelized kind of color. Floor is off white.

 

[1FordTech1]

2700K is softwhite, thats what I have through out my home. My walls are painted light beige and I have hardwood floors. Works out great for us. Replaced all bulbs with same equivalent LED. I found some manufacturers have different values for the same wattage so I just stuck with one manufacturer for all of them, TCP which also is certified to be used fully enclosed.

 

[Erampu]

Close one eye?

 

[Platonic Solid]

Here is the one in the hall
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-L...el-LED-Flush-Mount-Light-ENERGY-STAR/50373138

Naturally Lowes is completely useless WRT providing usefull specs. Closest I could find is this (link) on the Progress Lighting site - which shows 1452 Lumens, 3000K CCT, 17W, >90 CRI. I would need an IES file (which Progress Lighting doesn't have on their website) and hall dimensions to check results. Standard hallway target = 10fc. Standard bathroom target = 30fc.

 

[Falcon67]

I can't stand 2700K lights - way to orange to my eyes. Surprised they are being viewed as too bright. I won't buy anything listed as "2700K". 3000 min, 3500 better. Can't find the LED closet flush mount we used, similar to the link in Post 13. Good closet light.

 

[Shiftless]

I can't stand 2700K lights - way to orange to my eyes. Surprised they are being viewed as too bright. I won't buy anything listed as "2700K". 3000 min, 3500 better. Can't find the LED closet flush mount we used, similar to the link in Post 13. Good closet light.

Remember that brightness and color temperature are 2 different things. A single incandescent soft white 60 watt bulb in the ceiling of your kitchen would measure 2700 K but it certainly wouldn’t be very “bright” in your kitchen if that was the only source of illumination.

 

[1FordTech1]

2700k is equivalent to soft white. If you have used softwhite for years and years its the same white.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Just live with them for a while. When the new wears off, you will quit staring at the silly things. Then they will be normal and not insanely bright.

Seriously, I went through the adjustment. I thought the 650 lumen 2700k LED in a can was the greatest thing and wanted to stick them up everywhere. Then, you get used to them and start wanting 12000 lumen at the same height in your garage.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Any bulbs I replaced with LED that wasn't dimmable, I went with a lower replacement. I replaced my 60 watt bulbs with 40 watt equivalent LED, 75 replaced with 60, etc.

I also stayed with soft/warm white LEDs around 3000-3500K for most areas, except the kitchen and garage, I went with 4000K.

 

[Brian_WK]

Is the hallway ceiling low? Surface mount light that are in your line of sight are blinding.

Brian

 

[fred d]

Ok
So today I decided to get busy and add some 6500 4’ T8 LED lights to my detached garage
Lowes was clearancing out some bulbs 4/$9.99 and the light fixture was $13.48 ea
These 4ft light are going to replace 8ft T12 Florescent lights.
The fixtures are black, but highly disappointed that they are not brighter.
Feel like the 8’ florescent are brighter than 2 4ft LED lights

 

[fred d]

Is the hallway ceiling low? Surface mount light that are in your line of sight are blinding.

Brian

Yes, about 7’6”

 

[bczygan]

Ok
So today I decided to get busy and add some 6500 4’ T8 LED lights to my detached garage
Lowes was clearancing out some bulbs 4/$9.99 and the light fixture was $13.48 ea
These 4ft light are going to replace 8ft T12 Florescent lights.
The fixtures are black, but highly disappointed that they are not brighter.
Feel like the 8’ florescent are brighter than 2 4ft LED lights

Only 1600 lumens?

Bill

 

[Platonic Solid]

Ok
So today I decided to get busy and add some 6500 4’ T8 LED lights to my detached garage
Lowes was clearancing out some bulbs 4/$9.99 and the light fixture was $13.48 ea
These 4ft light are going to replace 8ft T12 Florescent lights.
The fixtures are black, but highly disappointed that they are not brighter.
Feel like the 8’ florescent are brighter than 2 4ft LED lights

No free lunch here. I think you got what you paid for (maybe less). Low efficiency, low lumen output, short 20,000 hr life span and requires a fluorescent ballast to work.

 

[fred d]

No free lunch here. I think you got what you paid for (maybe less). Low efficiency, low lumen output, short 20,000 hr life span and requires a fluorescent ballast to work.

Thought it would be better because it was LED. I will be returning them.

Suggestions on brightest LED replacement to go with?
My older eyes need more light.
I currently have 4 older 8ft fluorescents in a 20x24 garage. It’s not bad, but would like more light using less power

Thanks to everyone for the input

 

[Platonic Solid]

Thought it would be better because it was LED. I will be returning them.

Suggestions on brightest LED replacement to go with?
My older eyes need more light.
I currently have 4 older 8ft fluorescents in a 20x24 garage. It’s not bad, but would like more light using less power

Thanks to everyone for the input

Post #1 of the best light fixture ever sticky (link in sig below)

 

[velocipede]

Specs on that hallway light say it's dimmable. Just add a dimmer switch and adjust to your liking.

 

[purplezr2]

Buy a lower wattage?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

As far as the lights in your hall and bathroom... they appear to be LED retrofits (for existing recessed cans). Typically 5-6" cans take a 65W equivalent LED retrofit which are in the 600-700 lumen neighborhood. They even make 100W, but I haven't seen lower except in 4".

I used Cree TW retrofits, dimmable but required Lutron ELV dimmer ($70/ea) so they wouldn't hum when fully turned down. I love the brightness in the kitchen and bathroom, however in other rooms it was nice to be able to control for time/mood/activity.

Besides installing dimmers, you could buy regular trim and an A60 LED bulb thats 40W... should be dimmer.

As an aside... As far as light ouput in my home: bedrooms ~11 lumens/sqft, living room, ~15 lumens/sqft, kitchen ~25 lumens/sqft, bathroom ~27 lumens/sqft and master closet 25 lumens/sqft.