Published: 16 February 2014
Category: Video
LED lights for home use are now much improved but how do they work in practice? SuperHomer and Interior Designer Oliver Heath reports from his home in Hove, which uses Megaman LEDs.
This SuperHomes video highlights a range of different options and applications for LED lighting in the home. Shot in Oliver Heath’s home in Hove in June, it can now be viewed on the SuperHomes YouTube channel.
Megaman UK gave SuperHomes free reign to explore any products from their extensive range of domestic LED lighting for the video. Oliver Heath was an obvious first choice to present it. He is a fan of low carbon living and decorative lighting. He was also able to talk from personal experience of using LED bulbs in his home. Oliver’s home achieved SuperHomes status in 2010.
To visit homes with LEDs installed, see www.superhomes.org.uk.
To find out where you can buy the LED light bulbs shown in this video, see www.megamanuk.com
Key Points:
LED LIGHTS FOR HOME USE
Within the last few years LEDs have really improved. The new generation includes spotlights, strip lights, floodlights and down-lighters. LED bulbs are incredibly long lasting - up to an amazing 50,000 hrs.
60W TUNGSTEN LED REPLACEMENT BULB
The LED replacement produces the same amount of light but consumes 80% less electricity.
LED OUTDOOR LIGHTING
An LED light bulb makes sense outdoors because:
• Not sensitive to low temperatures
• Switching it on and off quickly won't reduce its life
• Works with the infra-red sensor
• Instant full brightness
DIMMABLE LED LIGHTS
Megaman 7w clear golf ball LEDs are decorative and dimmable and come with a standard LED bayonet fitting. The clear bulb and filament affect really draws the eye. The more orangey light is comparable with the warm effect of a tungsten bulb. But it converts electricity into light rather than heat. LEDs are now available in different colour temperatures. These range from cool white to warm white. This is decorative effect lighting:
• Dimmable
• Single filament look
• Very bright
• Throws sharp shadows
LED BULB WITH SILVER CROWN
With a 7W LED with a silver crown, the silver top reflects the light downwards, so it suggests a pool of light with no glare.
LED LIGHTS FOR THE KITCHEN
LED light strips are easily installed inside wardrobes, below wall units and above cupboards to illuminate the ceiling. In the kitchen it's great to have some task lighting over a work surface. What you want is an even spread of light. LED lights aren't sensitive to humidity and very little heat radiates from the front of LEDs, even compared to compact fluorescents.
LED GU10 BULBS
Megaman LED GU10 bulbs are bright, compact, emit much less heat and last up to 8 times longer. LEDs now come with a higher colour rendering index than before. A higher CRI means we can see the natural colour of the things they're illuminating even better.