Choose the Right Bulb Type for Use in Your Lighting Control System

From your home office to your private theater, each room in your Minneapolis residence has different lighting needs. For this reason, a home lighting control system is ideal in that it lets you choose the unique settings for each space. But before investing in a smart lighting solution, you want to make sure you have the right foundation. This means using the proper technology to take advantage of your lighting control fully. In this article, we explain the primary options available for your home and show you why LED stands out from the competition.

 

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Different Types of Lighting Technology

• Incandescent: These bulbs generate light when an electric current hits the filament wire inside them, causing it to glow. In 2014, 40-watt and 60-watt incandescent bulbs began to be phased out as they did not meet federal energy-efficiency ratings. Incandescent bulbs also heat up significantly when used, so they can be a safety hazard in business and residential homes.
• Fluorescent: These bulbs are sealed within a tube which contains a small amount of mercury and argon. When the bulb is turned on, electrodes at each end of the tube create an electrical current that converts the mercury into a gas. This gas generates energy in the form of ultraviolet light which is then converted to visible light by a phosphorous coating on the tube. The biggest drawback with CFL bulbs is that they’re not dimmable, take a long time to turn on, and could release mercury into the environment if not handled properly.
• LED: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductors that emit light when a current passes through them.

Benefits of Using LED Light Bulbs

• Energy Efficiency: The biggest advantage of using LED bulbs in your home lighting control system has to do with energy usage. LED uses just 10 watts per bulb compared to 14 for fluorescent and 60 for traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Enhanced Durability: When it comes to keeping your home lighting control system running smoothly, LED is the way to go. These bulbs can last over 50,000 hours. By comparison, fluorescent bulbs last 10,000 hours while incandescent ones last just 1,200 hours.
• Control Flexibility: Detractors initially complained about the limited dimming and color capabilities of LED bulbs. Now manufacturers have the necessary drivers to let homeowners manage dimming, light color, and light temperature with their home lighting control system. This way it’s easy to set the ideal lighting levels for every room.
• New or Retrofit: LED technology offers added flexibility as you choose between lamp replacements and fixtures. The former can replace the traditional incandescent bulbs you have throughout the house. The latter require new fixture installations for downlights, pendants, or walkways. Investing in new LED fixtures may be more time consuming, but in the long run these are more energy-efficient and offer a wider range of control.

To take advantage of LED lighting technology, reach out to a local BRAVAS partner. Their expert technicians can help you figure out which fixtures make the most sense for your home and install the proper drivers to extend your control capabilities. You can then choose to manage those lights via timers, dedicated touchpads, or elegant keypads on the wall.