Cooperative Living October 2021 - 27

SmartConnect | by Sydney Roberts, PhD., and Susan Gilbert, Contributing Columnists
A color
Shining a Light on LEDs
What to know about modern lightbulbs
L
ighting has a large impact on our mood
and productivity. Think about how
differently you feel on a bright, sunny
day compared to a dark, stormy afternoon.
Modern lighting options give you the
opportunity to customize the lighting in
your home and workplace to meet specific
needs, to include advanced features like
automation and color control, and to save
money on electricity bills at the same time.
For most applications, light-emitting
diode bulbs are the technology of choice.
These are solid-state devices with some
of the components of mini computers.
LED bulbs are available to replace nearly
any style
any style bulb in your home, including
bulb in your home
including
are labeled as " dimmable. "
Look for the Energy Star logo when shopping
for LED lighting and other appliances. Energy
Star has high quality and performance standards
Look for the Energy Star logo when shopping
gy Star logo when shopping
other appliances. Energy
and performance standards
output, lifespan and other
and sometimes tune, a bulb's color for the specific application.
For instance, you might prefer a warmer, more yellow or
orange color in the living room, and a cooler, more white or
blue color in the kitchen. Bulbs are rated in color temperature
in degrees Kelvin from around 2000 K for warm to around
and
000
5000 K for cool.
If you like the look of a standard incandescent bulb, look
for an LED with a color temperature near 2700 K. It will be
listed on the packaging. When you are installing multiple
rd incandescent bulb, look
ture near 2700 K. It will be
bulbs for a similar application, like recessed cans in a ceiling, it
pp
ou re installing multiple
ke
ecessed cans in
to 90% mor efficient than incanscent,
or
even
CFL
ceiling, it
is important to choose bulbs with the same color temperature.
Because they are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent
bulbs, the wattage of your LED will be much less
than that of an incandescent, or even a CFL, in order to
provide the same amount of light. This adds up to substantial
savings.
likel
w
Save Money
Many electric cooperatives in our area have a have a
LLighting Saving Calculator on their websites
Energy In the example
tthe annual savings for switching to LEDs is
co-opliving.com
ike Save Money & Energy. In the example above of a home
with 10 100-watt incandescents that are on
he annual savings for switching to LEDs is $107 with more
tthan 1,000 pounds of carbon savings. Althou
ighting Saving Calculator on their websites under headings
ith 10 100-watt incandescents that are on three hours a day,
han 1,000 pounds of carbon savings. Although the LED
bulbs with the same color temperature.
age of your LED will be much less
nt of light. This adds
ratives in our area ha
cooler, more white or
re rated in color temperature
for warm to around
LEDs is the ability to choose,
or for the specific application.
warmer, more yellow or
attributes that provide consumers peace of mind.
for color quality, light output, lifespan and other
peace of mind.
KNOW YOUR COLORS
One of the exciting features of LEDs is the ability to choose,
might cost more to purchase, most households recoup that
cost difference and more within two years of use.
LASTING LONGER
I In addition to energy savings, LEDs typically
to eplace the bulb again. Because they re long
may make sense to prioritize replacing bulbs th
using
c
smartphone or tablet app. These smar
n addition to energy savings, LEDs typically outlast
iincandescent and halogen bulbs by two or three
hhard-to-reach places, such as high ceilings or ch
ccolor temperature, set schedules and control dimming
ontrolled via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Because of this, they
controlled via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Because of th
can also integrate with smar watches and voice
ncandescent and halogen bulbs by two or three times. In fact,
mmany people will move out of their homes befo
to replace the bulb again. Because they are long-lasting, it
m
olor temperature, set schedules and control dimming
using a smartphone or tablet app. These smart bulbs are
can also integrate with smart watches and voice assistants.
Not only is this a neat feature, but it can be a muchneeded
upgrade for individuals with disabilities who may
find it difficult to reach traditional lighting controls. Imagine
setting different scenes for movie night and homework time,
all from your phone or with your voice assistant, and then
pushing a single button for lights out. The options are
assistants.
nearly limitless.
li
Lighting upgrades to LED are one of the easiest and most
packaging to ensure that you are choosing the right solution
rewarding home improvements. Remember to check the
onvenience and desired aesthetics. 
for your comfort, convenience and desired aesthetics.
Sydney Roberts is the director of technology and Susan Gilbert is CEO
ofApogee Interactive Inc., which works with many Virginia and Maryland
electric cooperatives on energy analysis and member satisfaction.
n
October 2021 | Cooperative Living | 25
es to LED are one of the easiest and most
provements. Remember to check the
that you re choosing the right solution
any people will move out of their homes before they have
ay make sense to prioritize replacing bulbs that are in
ome bulbs allow the user to change or tune color and
ard-to-reach places, such as high ceilings or chandeliers.
SSome bulbs allow the user to change or tune
any style bulb in your home, including
interior and exterior. If you use a dimmer
for the lamps, make sure that the bulbs
dimmer
bulbs
temperature near
2700 K is the look
for a standard
incandescent
bulb.
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living October 2021

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