Four Things Every Retailer Should Know About LEDs

Deck:

Lighting expert Joe Rey-Barreau reveals the solid-state lighting essentials every lighting showroom needs to know.

1. The Major Benefits of LEDs

Rey-Barreau says: Today, LEDs exceed 100 lumens per watt, and we expect that number to double in the next 10 years. LED life is anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 hours. LEDs also don’t generate a lot of heat, and the heat of an LED gets absorbed back into the fixture. As a result, LEDs are much cooler to operate.

Pictured: Philips Lighting's 60W replacement bulb, which won the L Prize [1] in 2011.

2. What Lighting Products Are Already Available in LED

Rey-Barreau says: LEDs make a lot a sense for undercabinet lighting. They’re extremely small, so you can use them in tight spaces or places where you wouldn’t put a fixture because it’d be noticeable. There are also a number of recessed fixtures or trims available on the market to replace existing incandescent recessed fixtures. You just plug them in, and they’re ready.

Pictured: Tech Lighting's Unilume undercabinet system

3. LED Prices Are Dropping

Rey-Barreau says: Right now, LED products tend to be more expensive than incandescent products, but that’s expected to change. Like with any product, once it becomes more of a commodity, it will become less expensive. Six months ago, you wouldn’t find replacement LED light bulbs for less than $40. The other day, I saw them for $10.

Pictured: Lighting Science Group recently partnered with Dixon Technologies to offer a 60W equivelent A19 LED bulb for under $15.

4. LED Light Color Can Vary

Rey-Barreau says: LEDs’ creation is unique from one manufacturer to another, so LEDs did vary quite a bit in color. Now, if the LED is labeled Energy Star^®, you’re sure to get a quality bulb with a great color. But LEDs come in different colors. It’s important for showrooms to show the color of all the LED products they sell because if customers are expecting one color and they get something else, they’re not going to be happy with the product.

Pictured: GE's Energy Star®-qualified BR30 12W lamp offers outstanding energy efficiency, warm color and an L70 rated life of 25,000 hours.

Publication Date:

May 4, 2012