Ok we are building our new dream home. We will be here for a long time so want do it right. Shold we put in LEDs or just regular lamps? We are now at the stage of picking out light fixtures. I want to use LED lights. Is it better to get the light fixtures that already setup with LED? My wife wants to get just regular light fixtures and put in convert LED bulbs? She wants to go with regular fixtures so she has more choices. Thanks
Should we go with LED lights??
- Thread starter Polaris88
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green.bubbly
Well-known member
I initially installed recessed ans thinking I could install cheap cfl bulbs which I later learned do not do well in cans. I decided to bite the bullet and go with recessed LED units from HD that had the trim ring integrated into the bulb.
Hopefully I will be done with bulbs for a long time but it was almost a thousand bucks for freaking light bulbs!!!
I had found some units that were a few bucks cheaper but there was a delay before the light would come on. Ended up going with these...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-6-in-White-Recessed-LED-Trim-CER6730WH/203489880
Hopefully I will be done with bulbs for a long time but it was almost a thousand bucks for freaking light bulbs!!!
I had found some units that were a few bucks cheaper but there was a delay before the light would come on. Ended up going with these...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-6-in-White-Recessed-LED-Trim-CER6730WH/203489880
Falcon67
Well-known member
I've run CFLs and tested the HD LED's in cans. I didn't like the LED beam width or color and took them back. We haven't had any issues with CFLs in the few can lights. Everything else in the house is CFL or T8 flo.
I would use fixtures that will take both, because you may find that an LED works in some location and doesn't work in another. Example - our living room is 22'x18' with a 10' ceiling. It has 4 cans with 20w CFL spots (forget the bulb type). They light the room floor pretty evenly. Replaced them with the HD LED retrofits - 4 beams coming down from the ceiling with dark areas. Stood under one and said "beam me up". No sale for LEDs in that application.
I would use fixtures that will take both, because you may find that an LED works in some location and doesn't work in another. Example - our living room is 22'x18' with a 10' ceiling. It has 4 cans with 20w CFL spots (forget the bulb type). They light the room floor pretty evenly. Replaced them with the HD LED retrofits - 4 beams coming down from the ceiling with dark areas. Stood under one and said "beam me up". No sale for LEDs in that application.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
After I refinished the basement I swapped all the 70 W PAR30 for the HD CREE dimmable LEDs for the 6" cans. Couldn't have made a better change. I can't tell the difference between the LED and the PAR30' s & they don't put any extra heat into the room. You don't feel like you're under a french fry warmer sitting at the bar anymore...
Tommy
Tommy
bczygan
Well-known member
Use LEDs where it's appropriate. Use the type and style of fixture that fits the form and function needed.
Pay attention more to color temperature, lighting levels, types and locations.
All my standard screw base lights and lamps, inside and out, have LEDs that were mark downs at the resale shop. Stock that had been opened at major retailers and now was marked $4 or $5 per bulb.
I like the stark bright white of LEDs. But there are applications where you might want other color temperatures.
Lighting is not as simple as one blanket choice or another.
Pay attention more to color temperature, lighting levels, types and locations.
All my standard screw base lights and lamps, inside and out, have LEDs that were mark downs at the resale shop. Stock that had been opened at major retailers and now was marked $4 or $5 per bulb.
I like the stark bright white of LEDs. But there are applications where you might want other color temperatures.
Lighting is not as simple as one blanket choice or another.
100% true! Whenever one PAR 30 goes out, it gets an LED replacement.
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Crown Imperial
Well-known member
I would test out CFL bulbs before you buy them. I personally don't like the light color nor the time it takes for them to fully light up.
If your wife wants standard light fixtures that can later on be convereted to LED you can try these very cheap recessed light fixtures from HD
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...HP/202600563?N=5yc1vZc7p5Z12kx#specifications
The LED GU10 bulbs cost $12 a pop and you replace the Halogen bulbs that come with the lamps as they blow out. So in total you'd be out $22 per lamp. That's what I did at home. We have about 30 to 40 of these fixtures. Gotta watch out on the LED bulbs. I personally did not like the Phillips bulbs. Too spotty. The FEIT electric bulbs on the other hand cast a fairly wide light and the color is crisper IMO. They also have more diodes in the bulb.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...Base-LED-Light-Bulb-BPMR16-GU10-LED/203434268
If your wife wants standard light fixtures that can later on be convereted to LED you can try these very cheap recessed light fixtures from HD
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...HP/202600563?N=5yc1vZc7p5Z12kx#specifications
The LED GU10 bulbs cost $12 a pop and you replace the Halogen bulbs that come with the lamps as they blow out. So in total you'd be out $22 per lamp. That's what I did at home. We have about 30 to 40 of these fixtures. Gotta watch out on the LED bulbs. I personally did not like the Phillips bulbs. Too spotty. The FEIT electric bulbs on the other hand cast a fairly wide light and the color is crisper IMO. They also have more diodes in the bulb.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...Base-LED-Light-Bulb-BPMR16-GU10-LED/203434268
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justsam
Well-known member
You do not state where you are located so difficult to comment.
New construction in California for example, under Title 24 has a lot to say about lighting for new construction. Mostly in terms of bulb base configurations and the use of occupancy sensors. Check with the builder in your area as your selections may be limited.
New construction in California for example, under Title 24 has a lot to say about lighting for new construction. Mostly in terms of bulb base configurations and the use of occupancy sensors. Check with the builder in your area as your selections may be limited.
Modern Jess
Well-known member
We did all LED lighting in our kitchen remodel (see above about California Title 24). Actually, I would have done it even if Title 24 didn't require it. And I'm quite happy with it. We used Cree CR6 recessed lights.
I've since installed a whole bunch of Cree CR4 recessed lights in my workshop. They're on the edge of acceptability there. Fortunately, there are a few high-output fixtures that have appeared on the market (mostly from Cree) just in the last six months to a year. I'll almost certainly add a few of those down the center of my workshop, which should give me enough light.
A few models that are worth looking at:
Cree CR-LE series
Cree SL series
Cree LS series
(Yes, I'm kind of a Cree fan).
I've since installed a whole bunch of Cree CR4 recessed lights in my workshop. They're on the edge of acceptability there. Fortunately, there are a few high-output fixtures that have appeared on the market (mostly from Cree) just in the last six months to a year. I'll almost certainly add a few of those down the center of my workshop, which should give me enough light.
A few models that are worth looking at:
Cree CR-LE series
Cree SL series
Cree LS series
(Yes, I'm kind of a Cree fan).
MVLUV
Active member
![20130304_184717[1].jpg](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/323/323905-c16d1ad6dc7e340c27e934d306c36b17.jpg "20130304_184717[1].jpg")
I used LED's right through our house during a reno. I found them to be more directional than fluro or incandescent lights so I just installed more. In the larger rooms I split the lights ove rtwo switches so I could have a half lit room also.
We also used strip lighting in the kitchen as a feature and it looks great.
Also worth noting is our power bill signifigantly reduced.
Steelhorse27
Well-known member
I initially installed recessed ans thinking I could install cheap cfl bulbs which I later learned do not do well in cans. I decided to bite the bullet and go with recessed LED units from HD that had the trim ring integrated into the bulb.
Hopefully I will be done with bulbs for a long time but it was almost a thousand bucks for freaking light bulbs!!!
I had found some units that were a few bucks cheaper but there was a delay before the light would come on. Ended up going with these...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-6-in-White-Recessed-LED-Trim-CER6730WH/203489880
I just did a swap to these in my living room (4) the light is better, cleaner than the CFL's I had before... one other added benefit is that they seal all the air gaps in the ceiling which helps the AC $$
The only negative was that I had to return one of them because it flickered every now and then...just got a new one and its great. As needed I will be replacing the rest of the house
purplezr2
Well-known member
I would look to see if you local electric coop will reimburse for certain types of bulbs. Mine will do 7 dollars a bulb on LED units. Making the bulbs about 3 bucks each. Not bad. I will say I can't tell the different between the 60W 2700k LED and a standard filament style bulbs. I notice no delay either. I also have some newer phillips cfls(2$ rebate each making them free basically). Same deal instant on and comparable to the filament style. I used the daylight bulbs in the kitchen vs soft white.
Colin Len
Well-known member
I just bought a new house and most of the bulbs are standard incandescent. I plan on replacing all the bulbs and most of the fixtures in the house. I've always replaced bulbs with CFL's in the past but now wondering if I should pony up the extra $$ and go LED. Subscribing, so hopefully I can gain some insight as to whether I should go LED now or just do CFL and wait a couple years for LEDs. I don't mind spending the money if the quality is there since in general I want to move to having the home be as energy efficient and "green" as possible whenever I make changes/renovations.
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our new spot has 9 canned lights in the kitchen. couldn't bear the almost 600W it would consume using 65W bulbs & switched them to cfl. the light quality is the same (i got the "warm" colored cfl's) between the incandescents & the cfl's. so far, they've worked fine & haven't had one fail. they can't be dimmed though.
i've looked into led's, but they're not cheap enough for me to pull the trigger when cfl's are so much cheaper & use about the same amount of juice.
it depends on how much of a premium they want for led fixtures. $1K is too much for me & i'd just do the regular ones & retrofit as you see fit.
i've looked into led's, but they're not cheap enough for me to pull the trigger when cfl's are so much cheaper & use about the same amount of juice.
it depends on how much of a premium they want for led fixtures. $1K is too much for me & i'd just do the regular ones & retrofit as you see fit.
The LED's are getting better all the time ... I installed them in most of my outdoor frosted fixtures. But just like the CFL I have found that if you don't buy them all at once you run into the light being somewhat different ... If you go online you will see this is a problem with the can replacements.
Also, most are defused - if you are used to the directional beam of a halogen -- only the most expensive LEDs with a lens approach that look
Also, most are defused - if you are used to the directional beam of a halogen -- only the most expensive LEDs with a lens approach that look
Cameronl
Well-known member
I put LEDs in my small recessed cans in the kitchen on a dimmer. They work fabulously. I get a little buzz on AM radio, don't know if it's from the bulbs or the dimmer. Not bad enough to do anything about it.
I put an LED bulb in my garage door opener. The electronics interfered with the remotes and they wouldn't work.
My $.02.
I put an LED bulb in my garage door opener. The electronics interfered with the remotes and they wouldn't work.
My $.02.
Cameroni: Did you install a bulb or something like the retrofit shown in post #3?
Manufacturers are now making fixtures that look like the retrofits in #3 but mount directly to a standard electrical box -- so you can install them directly.
They don't have a controlled beam -- so not the same as a reflector bulb.
Manufacturers are now making fixtures that look like the retrofits in #3 but mount directly to a standard electrical box -- so you can install them directly.
They don't have a controlled beam -- so not the same as a reflector bulb.
I have done over 1/2 my house with LED. I have 3 Sputnik fixtures, though. The one over my dining room table takes 20 25w incandescent candelabra base round lamps. The other 2 take 6 25w incandescent candelabra base round lamps.
Sooo… I need to make them LED. At my local stores, LED 25w round candelabra base lamps are $12. I probably will not change over to LED until they are under $5 each. My bill should come down a good bit when I change over.
Sooo… I need to make them LED. At my local stores, LED 25w round candelabra base lamps are $12. I probably will not change over to LED until they are under $5 each. My bill should come down a good bit when I change over.
AV8OR
Well-known member
(1) First don't shoot the messenger!
(2) I was told one of the reasons the LED bulbs are so expensive is each LED bulb has a transformer in the base to to convert AC to DC and lower the voltage......see #1 above.
(3) I was also told you can now wire your house with separate wiring to feed your LED bulbs and only buy bulbs to run on the separate circuit that is powered by one big transformer there by lowering your overall cost for going LED bulbs.......see #1 above.
(4) If all of this is true then for new construction it would be most beneficial.....see #1 above.
I have yet to catch my wife going into a dark room and not turning on the lights.....she is that smart. The leaving the lights on after she has left the room offsets her intelligence.
So seeing as how a divorce lawyer would cost a lot more then my electric bill each month I have changed out almost all of our downstairs bulbs to LED to keep the marriage intact.
Nothing scientific but I can see around a $10 to $15 per month drop in our electric bill. We have 10 can lights in both the kitchen and family room that are 90 watts a piece so we're looking at almost running a hairdryer each night for three or four hours so that was our first LED buy.
To keep the wife happy I buy nothing that is over 2700k.
(2) I was told one of the reasons the LED bulbs are so expensive is each LED bulb has a transformer in the base to to convert AC to DC and lower the voltage......see #1 above.
(3) I was also told you can now wire your house with separate wiring to feed your LED bulbs and only buy bulbs to run on the separate circuit that is powered by one big transformer there by lowering your overall cost for going LED bulbs.......see #1 above.
(4) If all of this is true then for new construction it would be most beneficial.....see #1 above.
I have yet to catch my wife going into a dark room and not turning on the lights.....she is that smart. The leaving the lights on after she has left the room offsets her intelligence.
So seeing as how a divorce lawyer would cost a lot more then my electric bill each month I have changed out almost all of our downstairs bulbs to LED to keep the marriage intact.
Nothing scientific but I can see around a $10 to $15 per month drop in our electric bill. We have 10 can lights in both the kitchen and family room that are 90 watts a piece so we're looking at almost running a hairdryer each night for three or four hours so that was our first LED buy.
To keep the wife happy I buy nothing that is over 2700k.