When you think about saving energy and changing light bulbs, you automatically think about LED, right? But what about in practice? Is it easy to choose the right lamp with so many options and brands? Those who, back in 2014, took the lead and invested in LED lamps, believing them to be the solution to save money on lighting, may already be having to change them and encountering the same problem again. But that doesn't mean the LED was a hoax! It was just the developing market.
The good news is that LED lamps were regulated in Brazil for the Inmetro for offer more security to the consumer. The federal government published Ordinances Nos. 143, 144 and 389, which address the technical aspects of quality and the regulation of product marketing and certification.
Both imported LED lamps and those manufactured in Brazil that were not in compliance with technical standards and displaying the Inmetro seal on their packaging were prohibited. The ban on the sale of lamps without the seal by wholesalers and retailers came into effect on July 17, 2017 and, for micro-entrepreneurs, it will be valid on January 17, 2018. Therefore, the consumer has to pay attention.
Look for this Inmetro seal on the lamp packaging, compare the information and follow the two steps below:
1) First step: understand the Inmetro seal
- Power (W): how much energy the lamp will consume.
- Luminous flux (lm): amount of light that the lamp will emit.
- Luminous efficiency (lm/W): amount of light emitted for each watt of energy consumed. What is expected from an efficient lamp is that it emits a lot of light and consumes little energy, so the more lm/W, the better.
In addition to the information contained in the Inmetro seal, attention should be paid to other equally important information.
2) Second step: learn how to choose the right lamp for your environment
- Color temperature (K): light color, indicated as warm, soft, cold, daylight, etc. It typically ranges from bluish white (6,000 K) to yellow (2,700 K). At this time, you must be careful, as the LED light tends to be whiter than that of other lamps, so here is a tip: if you are looking for a warmer, yellow light, to give a cozy atmosphere to the room , turn it on and compare different brands of LED, even if they are all classified as “hot”.
- Color rendering index – IRC (%): indicates whether or not the lamp will be faithful in representing colors. If you look at an apple in sunlight, you will see red. To see the same red under the light of a lamp, it must have IRC 100% (sunlight is the reference for this index). The lower the CRI, the more devalued the redness of your apple will be, that is, a lamp with a low CRI above a fruit counter, for example, can give the impression that the fruits are not as fresh. Normally, 80% is already considered a good IRC level.
- Useful life (h): is the number of hours that the lamp must last until the amount of light emitted considerably decreases. The useful life of a lamp depends on several factors, such as the conditions of the electrical installation, temperature and humidity to which it is subjected, the number of times it is activated by the switch, etc.
- Supply voltage (V): Be careful if you are buying a 110V or 220V lamp.
- Guarantee: Observe the warranty period and keep the invoice and product packaging.
Now that you know the basics about LED lamps, it’s time to understand a little more about the technology:
– LED can also be dimmable – look for the indication on the packaging.
Many LED lamps are already dimmable, which means that you can regulate the amount of light, leaving it almost off, for example, according to your wishes. You just need to have a suitable dimmer switch.
– Can LED lamps be disposed of in regular trash?
Unlike fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury in their composition, LED lamps do not contain any heavy metals, therefore they do not harm the environment. They could even be disposed of in common trash, but, as they are recyclable electronic equipment, the right thing to do is to send them for recycling in the same way we do with computers, cell phones and chargers.
– After all, is it worth paying more?
The cost/benefit ratio of LED lamps is more advantageous compared to other lamps. However, for a more careful assessment, we must take into account some factors:
- Initial investment: How much more expensive is LED?
- Energy cost: LED consumes less energy, generating monthly savings.
- Maintenance cost: LED lifespan is longer, so you won't need to change bulbs as often.
But this is all just the beginning! If you need a lighting solution for an entire environment, and not just change some light bulbs, you will need a lighting project carried out by a specialized professional.
This is because it may seem simple, but There are many other factors that must be taken into account in a lighting project.: type of luminaire (embedded, pendant, above-ground, sconce, etc.), opening (how the light spreads throughout the room), number of luminaires (to have the necessary amount of light), spacing between them (to have uniformity or shadow) etc.
As we saw, The use of LED lamps can be an excellent option for those who want to save energy with lighting. But for this solution to be truly effective, it is necessary choose a good quality LED to enhance your environment. And, if you really want to save money, don't forget to maintain good habits by not leaving the lights on unnecessarily! Search, compare and save! 🙂
*Text originally published on the website Green Condominiums.
** This post is part of the partnership with Secovi Rio with the Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project (EEB Lab) of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS).
