FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: LED Lighting
Are LEDs expensive?
Although the initial cost of buying and LED lamp may be higher, once you factor in energy saving and replacement costs LEDs are much cheaper overall:
- Up to 90% energy saving
- LED lamps last up to 15 times longer than a regular filament lamp
Check out our cost saving calculator to find out how much you could save.
What is the light quality of an LED?
LED's produce a cleaner light quality than a standard bulb as there is no radiant glare. The brightness of the LED is determined by both the colour temperature and lumens. As the LED's are directional the light they create is focused on where you want it, not a 360 degree angle like standard bulbs, although we do offer products that give a wide angle of light distribution.
Warm white lamps give a light that is a similar colour to that given by filament lamps, while cool white gives illumination that is closer to daylight.
See our page on colour temperature comparisons to learn more.
Are LEDs dimmable?
Diamond is now able to offer LED lighting options that are dimmable.
How do LEDs compare with CFLs?
| LED Lamps | CFLs |
|---|---|
| Immediate illumination | Take a while to reach full light output |
| No flickering | Can flicker |
| Compact — fit perfectly into existing fittings | Bulky — stick out from regular light fittings |
| 100% recyclable – contain no dangerous chemicals | Contain mercury so have to be disposed of in a special way. |
| No Glass | Glass — if lamp breaks can cause a health and safety hazard |
| 30,000 hours of light | 10,000 hours of light |
We would strongly recommend that you never use CFL lights in your kitchen or where food may be prepared!!
Click here for more information on the hazards of CFLs
Click here for information on cleaning up and disposing of broken CFLs
Can LED lamps be used in existing light fittings?
Most LED bulbs work in standard light sockets and can be easily fitted in the same way as any other bulb. Fitting generally are the same i.e. GU10, MR16, E27, B22 etc.
Can I use my existing 12VDC transformers?
Most of the 12VDC transformers used to power halogen lights are not suitable for 12VDC LED lamps. For this reason we cannot offer a guarantee on our MR16 replacement lamps UNLESS they are used with our own specific LED lighting transformers. In most instances we recommend that MR16 fitting are converted to GU10 fittings using a simple fitting conversion kit available on the high street. Please remember that any electrical work should be carried out by a competent person. To learn more about using transformers with 12 VDC Led lamps please see our transformer technical guidelines note.
Do LED's give off any heat?
LED's lamp designs use heatsinks to move heat away from the LED junction to allow the LED to remain at their optimum operating temperature, As a result the heatsink will get quite hot but no where near as hot as a halogen or filament lamp.
Do LED lamps produce UV?
Our LED lamps do not produce any UV although it is possible to buy LEDs that are specifically designed to produce UV of certain frequencies. Please review our technical note on LEDs and UV.
How is the lifetime of an LED determined?
The lifetime of an LED is classes as the time taken for the output of the LED to fall to 70% of its original lumen output. Note an LED lamp will continue to function after this time.
How does an LED work?
LED's are semiconductor diodes which work by creating a positive - negative junction (or p-n). Once power is provided to the diode, a current flows from the anode (positive) to the cathode (negative). Electrons and electron holes then flow into the junction from electrodes, so when an electron meets a hole it creates a lower energy level providing energy as light. In practice 90% of the electricity consumed by an LED is converted into light, whereas a standard bulb only converts around 15%.
LED's can come in various colours which are created by the materials used to make it. For example; white light can be created by using a blue LED and coating it with yellow phosphor or with a combination of RGB light (red, green and blue).
LEDs are significantly more energy efficient than normal halogen bulbs, in fact around 90% more efficient. With the recent rises energy bills both commercial organisations and households can make real savings and reduce their carbon footprint by replacing inefficient halogens with LED alternatives (see cost saving example).
