FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does LED stand for?

LED is short for light-emitting diode, a new light bulb technology. LED lighting products use light emitting diodes to produce light very efficiently. An electrical current passes through semiconductor material, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs.

How long do LED light bulbs last?LEDs are notable for being extremely long-lasting products. Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 20,000 hours. This is approximately 20 times longer than a typical incandescent, 15 times longer than a typical halogen, and 4 times longer than a typical CFL. Used 4 hours a day, a 20,000 bulb will last more than 13 years.

Where can LEDs be used?

They can be used almost anywhere. LED replacements are already available for bulb types such as A-shape, PAR reflector floods, high hat ceiling, decorative, candelabra, under cabinet, and more; available for indoor and outdoor use.

What are the advantages of switching to LED?The advantages of switching to LED are numerous. Here are just some of the benefits: LEDs use much less electricity (80% less) than other bulbs, have extremely long rated lives, produce very little heat, do not emit UV or infrared, contain no mercury, are resistant to shock and vibration, and can operate effectively in extremely cold environments. For more information on the advantages of LED go to energy.shop.com

Why do LEDs cost more than other types of bulbs? Are they worth it? LED is still a new technology, and the expense of producing quality product is still high. However, pricing has come down dramatically from just a few years ago. In terms of whether LEDs are worth the extra cost, the answer is a strong YES. It's helpful to look at the cost to operate a bulb over the lifespan of an LED, versus focusing on up-front cost alone. The energy savings realized in a switch to LED means that the extra up-front cost is often paid back rather quickly, and you'll wind up saving a significant amount of money over the life of the bulb. If you'd like to see this in action, check out our calculator on energy.shop.com. Once you see how much you can save from investing in LEDs, you will see why it is such a no brainer!

Is there really any difference between a $10 LED and a $20 LED?

Yes. LEDs are very similar to consumer electronics and quality really matters. In order for an LED to function properly and provide an acceptable light output, all of the components must be built to last. It's always a good idea to buy from a manufacturer and retailer that you're confident will stand behind the product. Our bulbs are manufactured by LSG, one of the leading LED providers in the US. All of our bulbs have an Energy Star and UL certification and have a five year limited warranty.

Is an LED going to produce enough light to replace my current bulb?

Yes. LED products are now reliably replacing incandescent bulbs and produce equivalent light of up to 100 watts, and specialty products are available to replace even higher wattages.

What’s the quality of LED light?

If you buy quality product like our bulbs, the light quality is excellent. Most of our bulbs produce 2700 Calvins or what you would call Warm or Soft White light. You do not get the white light effect that you would get from a fluorescent or CFL bulb at all.

How green are LEDs?LEDs are very green. For starters, they use much less electricity than many other lighting products. This means that less electricity has to be produced to operate them, and resulting in lower emissions from power plants, especially in areas where coal-fired plants are common. Unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury. Because of their long life, they also reduce solid waste: If you replace an incandescent bulb with an LED, you will prevent twenty 1,000 hour incandescent bulbs from being thrown away. Additionally, they produce very little heat and can reduce energy usage related to HVAC. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that increased adoption of LEDs over the next 15 years would also reduce electricity demands from lighting by 62 percent, prevent 258 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and eliminate the need for 133 new power plants.

Can LEDs be used with dimmers?

Usually, yes. Many LEDs are specifically listed as being dimmable. Some dimming systems work with LEDs better than others.

Should LEDs be used inEnclosed fixtures?

Not if they are completely enclosed. In order for an LED to function correctly, they must be in a non-enclosed fixture to allow for heat to dissipate from the heat sink. Otherwise, they can overheat and may fail early.