Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Buying LED Lights

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How do you want your space to feel? Are you looking to use the bulb to see better in your bathroom while you’re getting ready in the morning, or do you want to create a more warm living area in your home? Before you begin shopping around for your new lights, think about the kind of atmosphere you hope to create. For example, if you’re looking to create a more relaxing environment, you’ll want to make sure you purchase a dimmable LED light.

It’s hard to remember a time before we used LED lights. Energy-efficient LED lighting helps lower electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions, all without reducing the quality of light in our homes. At Vision Lighting, we supply a wide range of LED lighting solutions for both your home and business - from LED strip lighting to wall lights, as well as all the tools and accessories you need to set them up. Having spent over a decade creating and supplying LED light technology for both residential and commercial buildings, it’s fair to say we know a thing or two about LED lighting solutions.

1. What are LED lights?

LED lights have been on the market for years but for a long time weren’t readily available due to high costs. However, like anything that’s been around for a while, their price has significantly decreased and we are now seeing a huge rise in the number of residential and commercial properties opting to use them. What’s fantastic about LED lights is they use very little energy, last a long time and, unlike regular energy-saving bulbs, they are instantly bright when switched on.

2. How do I put up LED lights?

One of the main advantages of using LED strip lights is how easy they are to install. Our range of LED strips can be installed in a number of different ways, so it’s important to check the instruction manual before attempting the installation or speak to a member of our team and we can help you out. If you’ve opted for a ceiling panel or LED downlight, check out our advice on the steps you need to take to successfully install the lights.

3. How do I connect LED strip lights?

To connect LED strip lights, again there are a number of different methods. Some designs differ from others slightly and will therefore have a different set-up. Here at Vision Lighting, we stock a wide range of LED strip lights, as well as everything you need to get them correctly installed.

One of the main accessories you will need is a cable connector. Choosing the right connector for the job is important to ensure that the connection is secure, which is crucial not just for preventing disturbed or loose connections but also for preventing damage to the copper conductors. Once you have cut your light strip to size, you then connect the wires with your strip connector.

One such connector, favoured by professional electricians, is the Wago connector range, which you can purchase here. These connectors are small in size and come with multiple levers, depending on your requirement. The Wago cable connectors allow you to quickly and safely feed the cables through, with the lever simply snapping back into position to enable a secure connection. For more on the topic, check out our ‘Guide to LED Strip Lights’ here

4. How long do LED lights last?

One of the main reasons that LED lights are considered eco-friendly is the fact that they last much longer than regular bulbs. Most LED bulbs boast a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, which means that, once you buy your first set, you may not have to splash out on LED replacement bulbs for up to 10 years, depending on your usage.

5. How do I reset LED lights?

When it comes to resetting your LED lights, unfortunately, there is no one size fits all solution. As you'd expect, different brands operate differently - for example, some LED lights are fixed, whilst others are remote controlled or can run off your WiFi. If your LED lights need resetting, the instruction manual that comes with the product will detail how to go about this, otherwise do get in touch with our team and we will happily help. .

6. What are the different types of LED light?

Over the last few years, LED lighting has developed considerably. The advances in technology have brought more and more LED options onto the market. At Vision Lighting, we have a wide range of lighting options available. From coloured light outputs to different styles of wall lights, downlights and, of course, LED strip lights, we will ensure you get the right lighting solution to beautifully illuminate your home or office space.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for or are in need of some inspiration, we’ve also posted some brilliant guides to help you get the best out of our products.

7. How do I connect multiple LED strip lights?

LED strip lights are a great option for lighting any area, big or small. This is due to the fact that they are completely adjustable in length. You can cut them shorter or extend them by connecting additional strips. All you will need to connect additional strip lights is a cable connector.

You simply connect the wires from one strip light to the connector and then attach your second strip light to the other side of the connector - job done! Of course, there are other ways that this can be done. For example, you can solder the wires together without using a connector, but it is vital that you are comfortable and skilled in doing so. If you are unsure at all, speak to an expert beforehand.

8. Why won’t my LED light turn on?

LED lights have a life expectancy of around 50,000 hours, so if your LED light isn’t turning on, it’s likely due to external factors. Power fluctuations, faulty electrical installation, incompatible dimmer or unsuitable transformers can all be reasons why your LED light won’t turn on - for more insight into this, we’ve detailed some of the common signs of a faulty LED light and how to fix it here. It’s important to remember that, before you begin to investigate why your lights aren’t working properly, you ensure that you have turned off the light’s power source first.

9. What are the benefits of LED lights?

LED lights are not only great for the environment due to their long life expectancy and lower energy usage, but they also have many other benefits.

• They come with a range of coloured options, meaning they can be used to set an atmosphere or cast a certain mood around your house.
• They can be used in many different locations, under furniture, in alcoves, as wall lights or ceiling lights - take a look at our blog on creative ways to use your LED lights for some more inspiration.
• They are much cheaper to run compared to traditional halogen bulbs. LEDs can help save you as much as 80% on electricity - and with today’s soaring energy bills, finding ways to cut back on energy usage is major.

10. How do I dim LED lights?

Dimming your LED lights will not only enable you to set a certain atmosphere in the room they’re installed in, but it will also help you to save money by reducing the amount of electricity they are using. Not all LED lights are dimmable, so it’s important to check that the ones you are buying have this feature first.

To dim your LED lights, you may need to purchase a dimmer switch. Some of the older style dimmer switches aren’t compatible with newer LED lighting, so if you have an existing dimmer and are looking to add some new lights, check their spec to ensure compatibility first as you may need to adapt your purchase or upgrade your old switch.

Finally, always make sure to read the instructions that come with your dimmer switch to ensure proper installation, and don’t be afraid to reach out for professional advice and assistance if there is anything about the installation that makes you hesitant.