LED bulbs have changed the lighting sector significantly. This type of bulb is known for its better energy efficiency and longer lifespans. As Australia strives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices, the adoption of energy-efficient LED bulbs has become more important. Here, we’ll explore the top LED bulbs available today.
Factors to consider when choosing an LED bulb
Safety and performance
Make sure that the LED bulb has the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). This is a vital safety mark from Australia’s electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility regulators that shows the product complies with relevant safety and performance standards. It should also be registered on the National Equipment Registration System.
Brightness
Check the lumens output of each LED lamp or fitting. The lumens are the total light output and should be on the product packaging. Higher lumens mean brighter light.
Lamp efficiency
LEDs are efficient, but their efficiency can still vary. Lumens per Watt (lm/W) is the measure of LED efficiency, which means the higher the lm/W, the more efficient the product is.
Colour temperature
When choosing the LED’s colour temperature, it’s all about your personal preference, mood, and application. On the other hand, you also need to consider the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which is its light source’s ability to show object colours realistically or naturally. It’s best to choose LEDs with a CRI of at least 80.
Beam angle
How the LED throws its light is necessary for your application. See if you need a wide or narrow beam angle—a wider beam provides a more even spread of light while a narrow beam can result in bright spots and shadowing, suitable for highlighting a piece of object in your home. Narrow beam lights can also be used for homes with high ceilings.
Compatibility
When buying new LED bulbs for your home, check the fitting type, size, and dimming compatibility. You might want to take your old lamp to compare it with the new LED. You should also remember that some LED downlights may flicker when paired with old transformers and dimmers. That’s why you need to test a replacement lamp to ensure compatibility before you replace all of the bulbs.
Also, older manual dimmers are generally not compatible with LED lamps. Therefore, dimmers may need to be replaced by an electrical contractor.
Smart bulbs
As houses are shifting to ‘smart homes’, it is worth considering a smart LED bulb that you can control wirelessly. From remotely turning on/off to changing the colour and setting routines, smart bulbs are worth considering adding to your home’s automation.
Tops brands of LEDs in Australia
Below are the top brands of LEDs in Australia that will help you make your home more energy-efficient:
Philips Hue
One of the top LED light bulb brands on the market today, Philips Hue is known for high-quality lighting with customisable colours, brightness levels, and schedules. They have a comprehensive range of lamps and accessories for indoor and outdoor applications.
Powered by their technology, including voice-activated control, that makes lighting more efficient and convenient. Their LED light bulbs are also compatible with various smart home devices for easy integration into existing systems. As for the user experience, their app-controlled lighting system allows users to control their home’s lights with only a few taps on their smartphone.
Below are some of the Philips Hue bulbs:
· Philips Hue White: This is the most basic HUE LED bulb type that throws a warm white light. The colour temperature can’t be adjusted but it can be connected to the Hue Bridge for full wireless control. It is offered at a standard size A19 E26 Hue White with a colour temperature of 2700K. This bulb is also outdoor-ready with PAR38 bulbs that can work as flood lights and can screw into an E26 light fixture with a 3000K colour temperature.
· Philips Hue White Ambiance: If you want more colour options, the Philips Hue White Ambiance is the ideal choice. It is available for the E26, smaller E12 light socket types, and GU10 lamp sockets.
· Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance: If you’re looking for more colour options, the Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance is exactly what you need. It is configurable with 16 million different colours, which makes it perfect if you have a specific lighting scheme in mind.
· Philips Hue LightStrip: This comes as an 80-inch main unit that supports warm and cool white lights and 16 million colours of the other Hue White and Colour Ambiance lights. It is flexible and ideal for mounting onto objects.
· Philips Hue Lamps with integrated lights: Philips has various lights bundled with bulbs, along with specially designed lamps with integrated LED lights. They use Hue White Ambiance or Hue White and Colour Ambiance lighting for easier control of colour temperature and a lot of colour options.
· Philips Hue filament smart bulbs: If you don’t want a minimal design, then the filament smart bulbs are a perfect choice. Each bulb has a twisted filament of LEDs and emits a warm glow harking back to antique bulbs. They give an old-school feel so you can’t adjust the colour or temperature of the light. However, you can control them through the app, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Homekit, or any of the Hue system’s switches and sensors.
Robus
One of the oldest LED lighting brands in Australia is Robus. Known for its long-lasting lights that can last up to ten years, it continues to embrace emerging LED technology that guarantees up-to-date products. They are also known for their stylish lighting fixtures.
· Taylor Downlights: These downlights are a popular choice for residential and commercial applications. They are known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and stylish design. The downlights are dimmable as well which will let you adjust the brightness suited to your specific needs. They are also available in different colour temperatures.
· Dallas LED panels: These are high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions designed to replace traditional fluorescent panels. They are ideal for commercial and residential applications and they consume significantly less energy compared to traditional fluorescent panels. These panels provide uniform light distribution with a low glare rating and are available in various sizes and wattages.
· Vegas LED strip lights: These are versatile and stylish solutions for accentuating and highlighting various spaces. They can be cut to size and connected to create various lighting designs. The Robus Vegas LED strips are also available in different IP ratings.
Linear Lux
Linear Lux is the nation’s largest stockiest of specialist LED strips, drivers, profiles, and controllers. The company works with global manufacturers to deliver high-performance LED lighting products and control options for various architectural designs.
· Linear Lux DL9 LED downlights: Designed for indoor and outdoor applications, this is a versatile lighting solution that can withstand harsh marine and off-road environments. It delivers consistent light output and smooth dimming and has flexible installation options for various applications.
· Linear Lux LED strip lights: Perfect for under cabinets, behind furniture, or along walls and ceilings for ambient or task lighting. You can customise your lighting with a wide range of colours, brightness levels, and effects.
Brilliant Lighting
Brilliant Lighting has become one of the most popular LED lighting brands in Australia today. It boasts energy efficiency, long-lasting LED life, and a superior warranty. With their strong commitment to sustainability, they strive to minimise their carbon footprint and guarantee their products are certified to meet stringent Australian standards.
· Smart WiFi A60: This adjustable white bulb LED type is one of the top LED lights today. It delivers direct connection over WiFi and it has geofencing that can be used to switch lights off and on depending on the location of the mobile device.
· Strip lighting kit: This is one of the few LED strip lights on the market that is water-resistant. It uses dimmable 60xRGB and 60x White LEDs (3000K). This strip lighting kit can be used as task lighting or for decorative purposes.
Vive Lighting
A leading name in LED lighting solutions, Vive Lighting is known for its modern designs and quality materials. Every product that they offer comes with a two-year warranty for that extra peace of mind.
· Lumilyte LED Tube: This is a high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solution designed to replace traditional fluorescent tubs. It features an instant-on technology that delivers quick illumination without any warm-up time.
· LED PAR 30 Spotlight lamp: This is a versatile lighting solution designed to provide focused illumination for various applications. The PAR30 shape and design of the bulb allow for a focused beam of light. It is a reliable and efficient lighting solution that can boost the aesthetics and functionality of any space.
Choosing the right LED bulb can significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency and lighting quality. You can make informed decisions by considering factors such as safety, brightness, efficiency, colour temperature, beam angle, and compatibility. Remember to look for the RCM mark to ensure product safety and compliance with Australian standards.
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