How to Choose New LED Lights: A Guide for Homeowners

How to Choose New LED Lights: A Guide for Homeowners

Lighting has come a long way in the past few decades. For years, choosing a light bulb was simple: you’d walk into the store, pick up a 60-watt incandescent bulb for the living room or a 40-watt for the bedside lamp, and you were good to go. There wasn’t much to think about beyond wattage and, maybe, clear versus frosted glass. Then came the era of fluorescent lamps—those spiral-shaped CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) that promised better efficiency but often delivered lackluster light quality, slow warm-ups, and confusing packaging. People were left wondering why their “100-watt equivalent” CFL looked more like a dim flashlight. While the energy savings were undeniable, the experience of choosing a bulb became frustrating and inconsistent.

It's Ok. Lots of people are adjusting to the new way of finding the right LED light.

Now, we find ourselves in the era of LED lighting. LEDs have revolutionized the lighting industry with their efficiency, longevity, and versatility. But for homeowners, this progress has introduced a new challenge: how do you choose the right LED lights from the seemingly endless options available? As an electrical contractor, I’ve seen homeowners struggle with this decision, so let me break it down for you.

With LEDs, the old wattage rule of thumb no longer applies. Instead of looking at watts (which measure energy usage), you’ll want to focus on lumens, which measure brightness. A traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb provides about 800 lumens of light, whereas LEDs might only use 8-10 watts to provide the same brightness. Check the lumens rating on the package to ensure you’re getting the right amount of light for your space.

One of the most exciting—and often confusing—aspects of LED lighting is the range of color temperatures available. Measured in Kelvin (K), this determines whether the light appears warm, cool, or neutral. Warm white (2700K-3000K) mimics the cozy glow of incandescent bulbs, making it perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. Neutral white (3500K-4100K) provides a balanced light ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces. Cool white or daylight (5000K-6500K) offers bright and crisp light, great for garages, offices, or areas where high visibility is needed.

Many homeowners love the flexibility of dimmable lighting, but not all LEDs are compatible with dimmer switches. Make sure the bulb is labeled as dimmable and check whether your current dimmer is LED-compatible. If not, you might need to upgrade to a modern dimmer switch.

Another factor to consider is CRI (Color Rendering Index), which measures how accurately a light source reveals colors compared to natural light. Look for LEDs with a CRI of 80 or higher for vibrant and true-to-life color in your home.

Find this helpful information on the LED Facts label printed on most lamp and fixture labeling. Image from Grote.com

LEDs come in a variety of shapes and designs to suit different fixtures and purposes. Use A19 bulbs for general lighting in table lamps and ceiling fixtures, BR30 or PAR38 bulbs for recessed or track lighting, Edison-style or decorative bulbs for exposed fixtures like chandeliers, and strip lights or puck lights for under-cabinet or accent lighting.

While LEDs may have a higher upfront cost, they last 15-25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 75-80% less energy. Over time, this translates to significant savings on your energy bills and fewer replacements. To ensure quality, efficiency, and durability, look for LED products that carry the Energy Star label. This certification guarantees the bulb meets rigorous standards for performance and energy savings.

Many modern LED bulbs also come with smart features, allowing you to control them via a smartphone app or voice commands. Features like color-changing options, scheduling, and remote control add convenience and customization to your lighting setup.

Switching to LEDs may feel more complex than the incandescent days, but the benefits far outweigh the learning curve. LEDs offer a level of efficiency, flexibility, and quality that old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs could never match. As an electrical contractor, my advice to homeowners is simple: take your time to understand your lighting needs, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether it’s determining the best color temperature for your living room or ensuring your dimmer is compatible with your new bulbs, a little guidance can go a long way. Happy lighting!

About the Authors:

This blog post was originally written by ChatGPT prompted by Daniel Ehinger, an experienced electrician dedicated to promoting electrical safety and best practices. The content was edited and enhanced by Daniel Ehinger, who provided valuable insights and improvements to ensure accuracy, clarity and readability.