LEDs (light emitting diodes) can be up to 80% more energy-efficient than incandescent light bulbs; and offer self-builders savings on electricity bills as well as a clear bright light, dimmer suitability and long life spans.
Furthermore, LEDs help to keep building inspectors happy, as Building Regulations now recommend that at least 75% of a new home’s internal light fittings should be energy-efficient i.e. producing over 45 lumens per circuit. LED lights typically produce 80 to 120 lumens per watt, ensuring that new homes meet Building Regs for lighting – and fire-rated LED lights and bulbs are also available.
Environmentally-conscious self-builders should also note that LED bulbs are manufactured using ‘clean’ technology and contain no toxic chemicals; and are therefore easier to dispose of than conventional bulbs.
Founder of Light Rabbit, David Kennedy, comments: “LED technology and design has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, and LED lights now provide a cost-effective and viable alternative to conventional lighting throughout a new build home. LED can be used for task, ambient and accent lighting, and the vast majority of LED bulbs are compatible with domestic dimmer switches.”
Although the upfront cost of LED bulbs can be slightly higher than conventional lighting, LED bulbs have a much longer life span; and the vast majority of householders reap cost and environmental benefits within a short period of time.
Get the most out of LED
• Do your homework. There are myriad different LED bulbs and lights on offer, which offer you flexibility and allow you to be creative with lighting design. For example, a kitchen larder with no natural light could easily be illuminated by LED strip lights under shelves, as well as overhead LED lighting. A bathroom could be given real ‘wow factor’ by adding LED down lighters, or even coloured LED bulbs
• Try to future-proof your lighting design. Make sure that your wiring is flexible enough to be able to add additional LED task or ambient lights as your family’s needs change in the future
• Don’t forget outdoors. LED lighting can be used to great effect on an outdoor patio, or to highlight particular features in a garden. LED bulbs can even be used in security lighting to help safeguard your new home
• It pays to shop around! Cost and energy savings can differ according to the quality of LED lights that you buy. Leading suppliers, such as Light Rabbit, offer consumer guarantees as well as advice online and or over the telephone, and can help self-builders calculate how many bulbs their new home will require, and estimate cost savings vs conventional lighting