What You Should Know Before buying Dimmable LED Lights

LED lights were not dimmable before, but with a broad market to address, manufacturers now offer a range of dimmable LED bulbs. Dimmable lamps are excellent for your home’s mood lighting. They are made to suit users’ visual comfort while letting you save on your energy costs. Before rushing out to buy your new set of dimmable LED downlights in the UK, it pays to get vital information that will let you buy with confidence.

How do they work?

LED dimming mainly uses two different methods, namely Pulse Width Modulation or PWM and analogue. PWM creates the dimming effect, relying on an on-off cycle, unlike regular incandescent bulbs that rely on voltage for brightness. The cycles work in milliseconds, so you won’t know if they are turning on or off. On the other hand, analogue is more straightforward. The current dims or brightens lights.

What causes them to flicker?

Dimmable LED lights flicker because of the dimmer switch that comes with a minimum capacity of Watts. For instance, leading dimmer switches have higher minimum load or wattage because they are created for older bulbs. Typically, newer versions consume fewer Watts and a low amount of energy. This is why it is important to buy a compatible dimmer switch, to avoid flickering. The dimmer switch also affects the light’s performance. Choose a good quality dimmer with different ranges and modes of dimming capabilities. Flickering can sometimes be fixed by simply changing back to factory settings or changing the mode.

 

Why are they more expensive?

By now, you might already be aware that dimmable LED lights are more expensive than their non-dimmable counterparts. This is because these lights are designed with additional technology that increases manufacturing costs, affecting their price. LED bulbs are also more expensive than incandescent or halogen bulbs because they feature higher technology.

Additional tips when buying and installing dimmable LED lights

• Choose the right location. Be strategic about where you place your dimmable lights. Think purpose. Areas where focus is needed, such as workspaces or kitchens, might not require dimmable bulbs. They’re great for mood lighting or lighting decorative pieces.
• Choose reputable brands. Buying from established manufacturers lets you have good quality lights that are truly dimmable and not just produce small changes in brightness.
• It pays to read the label. Read labels and go for dimmable LED lights with high maximum lumen output.

Whether you need dimmable or non-dimmable LED downlights or other types of light bulbs, it is important to get the right information you need. In the case of dimmable LED bulbs, it is crucial that dimmer switches are compatible with the lamp. The quality of dimmer also matters if you want to be sure the light does not have a flickering effect that shortens its life.