LED Recessed Lighting: Three Reasons to Say Yes

LED recessed lighting, also known as “LED can lights” or “LED downlights” can be used for a wide range of residential, retail and commercial applications.

“LED” stands for “Light Emitting Diode,” which is another way of saying that it’s a computer chip, semiconductor diode that emits light.

LEDs are available for recessed lighting as either replacement bulbs, dedicated housings, or as LED retrofit modules. The modules can easily be installed in virtually all recessed housings with a screw-in, Edison base socket, without the need for rewiring.

A living room setting with LED recessed lights.

Here, three reasons homeowners are saying yes to LED recessed lighting:

1. Energy Savings

Energy savings is a big appeal. LEDs can save up to 85 percent of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs, up to 50 percent of electricity used by CFLs, and up to 30 percent used by fluorescent tube lighting. To give you an idea of the savings, a 12 watt LED has a light output comparable to that of a 60 watt incandescent or halogen bulb, but uses 85% less energy than the incandescent light, and 50% less than a CFL.

With the widespread adoption of LEDs, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the U.S. would reduce its electricity used just for lighting by nearly 62 percent, eliminate 258 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and save over $280 billion in energy costs.

2. Less Heat – Better Color

Because these types of lights are more efficient than incandescent or halogen lighting, this type of lighting emits very little heat, reducing the load on air conditioning and cooling systems.

Additionally, in retail and consumer settings, LED downlights do not emit damaging ultraviolet or infrared light, so fabrics and artwork can be illuminated without color deterioration. Also, high-quality LEDs produce better light that shows color more effectively than fluorescents.

3. Longer Lasting

LED can lights are designed to last about 50 times longer, which means less maintenance and less time spent on replacing burned-out bulbs that are often very hard to get at. The lifespan of an LED is simply unmatched by other types of lighting. Your typical LED light will last approximately eleven years based on twelve hours of use per day.

After the lifespan of the downlight is over, there are other advantages as well. This type of lighting does not contain hazardous materials, such as mercury. Since fluorescent tubes and CFLs contain mercury, they must be properly disposed of in order to prevent this element from contaminating public dumps and landfills.

Get Dim

LED recessed lighting uses solid-state technology, which allows effective dimming in many applications and eliminates flickering. Use different dimmers to create zones of adjustable lighting throughout a room or home.

If you have questions about recessed LED Lights just give us a call 800-782-1967 for personal assistance, or contact us for more information.

More Recessed Lighting Ideas and Advice

An In-Depth Guide: Recessed Lighting Trim and Bulbs

Recessed Lighting Solutions for Living Rooms, Entryways, and Dining Rooms

Four Brilliant Ways to Use Recessed Lighting in Your Bathroom

Kitchen Recessed Lighting – Layout and Planning

10 Recessed Lighting Tips

Choosing the Right Ceiling Light