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LED Lighting: Why make the switch?

29 October 2020

Energy efficient, cost effective and planet saving…here’s why you should be using LED Bulbs to light up your home.
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Our new Skipper Wall Light features a gold cap LED light bulb that produces striking shadows on the surrounding wall. 

Buying a light bulb can be a surprisingly difficult task. We all know that using LED lightbulbs in our homes is a proven way to save on energy bills and, in turn, look after our planet. But what actually is an LED? Which ones are best? Do they really offer the same light output as traditional bulbs, halogens and filaments? We've taken our most-asked light bulb questions and answered them all in one place for your easy reading.

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Here at Tom Raffield we only recommend and retail LED Light Bulbs with our lighting range. The reason? Put simply, LED's are better for the environment.

What is an LED?

There are two main differences between LED lights and the traditional incandescent light bulb famously invented by Thomas Edison. The first is that rather than operating on an alternating current (AC) they operate on a direct current (DC). This means that rather than warming a filament to produce light (where 95% of energy is lost as heat), energy passes through a semi-conductor which lights up.

The second is that LED light bulbs are far more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and don’t waste anywhere near the 95% of energy that their alternatives do.

A guide to choosing the right bulb
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Our Urchin Wall Lights are handcrafted using sustainable ash, oak or walnut wood. The slatted wooden timbers allows light to escape through the seams, creating pools of brightness in the dark.
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Our Hanter Wall Light blends nature with elegance to put the lustre in illumination.

What is the kelvin scale?

Light temperature is measured in Kelvins (K). When selecting a bulb to provide a finishing flourish to your room it's important to consider the temperature of its glow - do you want a warm light or a white light? This decision often comes down to personal preference, but should be influenced, by some degree, to practicality in the home.

For example, in a bedroom you may want to opt for a calming warm light bulb to help you unwind before bed, but in a living room or kitchen where you need to carry out daily tasks and consequently need more visibility, a cool white light may be a good choice.

For a warm 'yellow light' look out for bulbs with 2,400-3,000 Kelvins and for a 'white' daylight looking glow choose a bulb with 4,000-7,000 Kelvins.

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Designed to suit a range of spaces and property styles, our statement wooden chandeliers are steam bent by hand and come in a variety of sizes and wood types to create a spectacle in any room.

What about wattage?

A major factor to consider when buying a new light bulb is the wattage of the fixture it's going to be in. The higher the wattage, the brighter the bulb output tends to be.

For example - a 6W LED bulb will produce more light than a 2.5W LED. Always check your light’s maximum wattage - all Tom Raffield designs take a maximum of 25 LED Watts.

Shop our light bulb collection
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Our Skipper Flush Ceiling Lights illuminate space with a bright, bold contrast of light and shadow. Suited to rooms with lower ceilings, the Skipper Small Flush Ceiling Light brings atmosphere in abundance - without taking up too much space.
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Loer Pendant. A diffused LED glass light bulb suspends within an orbiting ring of sustainable, steam bent ash wood. 
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A replaceable bulb is held sung inside the beautiful soft glass globe by a brass bulb holder to create a warm white light. 

Will I still get bright light?

Fear not, forsaking your traditional 50 Watt incandescent bulb for a 5 Watt LED bulb doesn’t mean sacrificing a tenth of your light. While LEDs do have a lower wattage, their output is measured in Lumens, which is the measurement of the amount of visible light a bulb emits. A 5W LED bulb could actually be brighter than a 50W incandescent bulb, so don’t be fooled!

What’s the benefit of using LEDs?

The benefits of all this efficiency is that you will get more for your money. LED light bulbs use less energy than other types of bulbs, which saves you money on your electricity bill. On top of this, they also have an incredibly long-life, with some LED bulbs lasting as long as 20 years before they need replacing. This not only benefits your wallet, but the environment too.

Less wastage and energy from using LEDs will help curb carbon emissions, with lighting currently making up 6% of global carbon emissions. A global switch to LED technology could save over 1,400 million tons of CO2 and avoid the construction of 1,250 power stations.

FIVE TIPS TO SUSTAINABLY REDECORATE YOUR HOME
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When illuminated by its LED bulb, an abundance of golden glow diffuses from the Arame Pendant’s steam bent core - casting an aura of light from the lampshade that's truly transfixing.

Are LED bulbs dimmable?

All of our contemporary wooden lights are fully dimmable when fitted with an inline dimmer switch and used with a dimmable LED bulb. It's always worth checking on the product specification if a light bulb is dimmable if purchasing lightbulbs elsewhere. Dimmable lights are ideal for a multi-functional space (you may want a dimmed light for watching a film and a bright light for reading) and for creating ambience in your home.

 

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Explore our wooden lampshades and lighting designs

Discover the full kaleidoscopic range of sustainable, steam bent and wooden Pendants, Chandeliers, Wall, Floor and Table Lights, including our iconic and bestselling Skipper and Urchin lamps and lightshades.

Shop lighting designs

Posted: 29.10.20
Updated: 03.04.24

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