LED Light Bulbs

We have been writing on the blog regarding LED lamps ever since they were a novelty, and now the dream is becoming reality: there more and more LED lights to the point of being able of replacing the regular lights! Do you still use low voltage ceiling lights? Why not switch to energy saving LED downlights, many of which come complete with their driver. Do you still use high wattage ceiling suspension lamps, that is, ceiling pendants? Simply replace the light bulb with a LED one - even a vintage LED would make you save more money and energy. Same principle applies to bathroom lights, wall lights, ceiling lights, table lamps, and even outdoor lights: it's time to switch from high power wattage - which inflat your energy bill - to LED lamps. And to give you an idea of some of these LED lamps: how they look, what they could do, and what kind of light they offer, we put together a LED Bedroom Lights and Living Room Wall Lights LED Bedroom and Living Room Wall Lights You can view it in full via our account on Houzz.co.uk, where you can see some other projects such as, Track Lighting and LED track spotlights from Illuma - a collection of pictures from the best applications of the track systems in domestic, retail, and commercial environments; Ceiling Lights and Chandeliers - great ceiling hanging lamps and chandeliers or pendants for interior decoration with a modern or contemporary style - pictures only, with links and descriptions; Or check out our other ideabooks with plenty of lovely pictures of: Bathroom Lighting from Astro Lighting - the best pictures bathroom lighting from Astro Ideas for home redesign - a work in progress ideas for home redesign If you are on Houzz, let's connect :) our profile is here: Sparks Electrical Wholesalers Ltd, and we would love to have you as our friend / follower. We will follow back. And if you have some requests of more pictures in different projects or applications, let us know in the comments and we will do our best!

The advancement in today's LED technology allows people to choose not only to use a LED lamp instead of an incandescent or halogen one, but even to choose the light output (the lumens), the light colour temperature (daylight, warm white, neutral white, and cool white), and the size and shape. It is safe to say that soon the LED lamps will be available at a lower cost than ever, and they will replace the high consumption lamps with more energy saving light bulbs. What's even more interesting is that many of the existing LED lamps are also dimmable, allowing people to dim the LED lamp sometimes all the way to 0%! However, there are a few problems with the LED dimming - at this point in time. Problems with LED Dimming The LED lights offer a bright light in the light color you desire, so many times you may want to dim them. There are a few questions that rise up here: Are all the LED lights dimmable? Can we dim a LED light with any dimmer? How low can you dim an LED lamp, and how long can you keep it dimmed? If you dim the LED lamp, is the energy consumption also reduced? Is the LED lamp life decreased drastically if you dim it? First of all, at this moment in time NOT ALL the LED lights are dimmable; those who are dimmable are clearly marked "dimmable". If an LED light bulb is not dimmable, it may not be marked so - but unless it is marked dimmable, don't assume that the LED lamp is dimmable. Secondly, the dimmable LED lamps cannot be dimmed from ANY dimmer. Simply changing a dimmable halogen lamp with a dimmable LED lamp doesn't guarantee that the existing regular dimmer will work with the LED lamp. Most LED manufacturers have a list of recommended LED dimmers / LED dimmer modules that would work with a particular dimmable LED lamp, and it is best to make sure you use one of those dimmers, otherwise dimming may not work and the lamp/installation may be damaged. Thirdly, the whole point of dimming is not only to decrease the level of light but also to save energy and consequently, money. So yes, dimming the LED lamp will save you even more energy and money. Lastly, if the LED lamp is dimmable, dimming the LED lamp should NOT have an impact on the lifetime of the lamp. All these considered, there are now more questions with most of our customers such as, So then how can I make sure I have the right LED dimmer for my LED lamps? Is there such a thing as a "universal LED dimmer" that works with most LED Lamps? And what do I do with my existing dimmers - do I need to buy the expensive ones and throw them away? In other words, Is it that Simple to Transform a Regular Dimmer into an LED Dimmer? Six months ago we would have recommended replacing the entire dimmer with a brand new LED dimmer - which costs a lot of money, may not be in the plate and finish you desire, and may not work with all your LED lamps. But now there's such a thing as a "universal LED dimmer" made by Varilight - see the JP250P V-Pro 1 Gang 2 Way Trailing Edge 10W-250W LED Dimmer Module Replacement. It is a normal size as a regular dimming module, so it can easily replace the existing dimmer in the back of your dimmer switch. Of course, such a replacement should be done by a registered electrician - don't try to do any DIY with electricity and electrical devices such as these - so that it may be tested and work properly. Do you need a smooth and silent dimming for your LED lights? Are your LED lights dimmable? Do you want to keep your existing dimmer plate and not replace it with one from this list of LED dimmers? Then your best solution is this LED dimmer module from Varilight, which is currently in stock and very highly recommended. In conclusion, to answer the question in the title: yes, it is that simple to transform a regular wall dimmer into an LED dimmer - if the size of the dimmer module behind the dimmer plate allows it, you can simply replace it with the highly recommended Varilight JP250P trailing edge LED dimmer module. For more details on this, don't hesitate to contact us or leave us a comment below.

As the LED lights the LED lighting is being developed and is advancing, there's the same question that our customers ask us, Does this light fitting take LED lamps? And you know what, if we check the manufacturer's updated specs, many of the light fittings we sell on our website can safely take LED lamps (subject to the lamp cap and dimensions). It is safe to say again and again that it is time to change that light fitting you have with an LED one - save the energy, save money, and invest in the future! As we all know, investing in a relatively more expensive LED lamp will both help us reduce our electrical bill and will pay for itself in not such a long time. In this blog post we thought we should make a list of what kind of lights now take LED lamps and / or are completely LED lamps. Watch and be amazed - even the energy saving classical fluorescent fittings and the modular panels (so popular in the office or commercial environment) now can be found in an LED alternative! Here are some of the most recently popular LED alternative. LED Corrosion Proof Fitting Replacing the Fluorescent Luminaire The fluorescent fittings are quite energy saving, long lasting, and with a low maintenance cost; changing the tube will keep the light going on for a long time in the office, on the corridor, etc. They are not that expensive and, honestly, they are everywhere. But now it is time to make space for the new LED luminaires, the ultimate in energy saving, which replace them with a higher energy efficiency, lower carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, and better quality of light. With an IP65 rating and with an efficacy of almost 100lm per Watt, these are supplied with the LED driver (plug and play mains connection system) and can be surface or chain mounted. Great for both industrial and commercial lighting. LED light bulbs - LED lamps replacing the Halogen or Incandescent lamps Do you want to save energy at home or at the office, even though you have to turn the light ON most of the time? It's time to change your light bulbs with their LED alternative. You can now use an LED light bulb with a GLS E27 lamp cap, with a GU10 lamp cap, and even with an MR16 lamp cap (low voltage LEDs). And they come in all shapes and sizes, offering either warm white or cool white light, and being dimmable or non-dimmable. Your choice. We advise, we present, we give you the best prices, and now it's your turn to consider and purchase. And we made this list of the LED light bulbs we have in stock constantly. Ceiling Lights, Wall Lights, Indoor and Outdoor Lights, etc - Most can take LED lamps We all need all kinds of light for wall lighting, ceiling lighting, downlighting, exterior lighting, garden lighting, etc. Check with the specifications of these fittings, most of them can now take LED lamps. One of the reason we haven't been too active on the blog is because we realized: our manufacturer updated most of their products to specify which take LED lamps, and guess what: most of them do! So we got the ball rolling, and now you can purchase not only the light fitting with the energy saving light bulb but also with the LED lamp alternative! To the "wow, that's good news" we will add another "wow", a "word of warning": please check with the manufacturer specifications and / or with a registered electrician before you change the light bulbs / light fittings. As with every new technology and modern alternative, always check before going for it. Local councils, HMO's, and electricians alike would recommend and switch to LED lights in most applications, and we think it's time for YOU also to do this!

As of September 2023, the fluorescent lamps and tubes will be phased out in the UK, under the updated RoHS Directives, in order to reduce mercury-containing lamps. When some hear about fluorescent lamps they may wonder who would even use such things today since LED lamps are a much better alternative, but many offices, schools and both residential and commercial applications still use the popular fluorescent lamps, fluorescent tubes, and fluorescent light bulbs. Halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps used to be energy-saving and very sought after a while ago, but now they are the least energy efficient on the market. Halogen lamps were banned in September 2021, and it is now time for fluorescent lamps to be phased out and banned. Read more to find out all information you need concerning, RoHS Directive - the Phasing out of Fluorescent LampsWhy are fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes banned?What is the Schedule for Phasing Out Fluorescent Lamps in the UK?Exceptions to the RoHS Fluorescent Lamps BanWhat are the Alternatives to the Fluorescent Lamps?What are the Advantages of Switching from Fluorescent to LED Lamps?What to do if you still have fluorescent lampsFurther reading on the Phasing out of Fluorescent Lamps and TubesRoHS Directive - the Phasing out of Fluorescent LampsThe RoHS Directive stipulates that potentially hazardous substances - such as Mercury - in electrical and electronic equipment should be restricted and eliminated. Discharge lamps include mercury, which is a hazardous substance. RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and the RoHS directive related to fluorescent lamps is part of the goal to phase out toxic chemicals that are harmful both to the environment and to people's health. In the spring of 2022, the EU Commission revised the RoHS directive to phase out and ban the use of mercury; there were some exemptions until 2023, but it is now time to get rid of the fluorescent lamps. Lamps such as compact fluorescent, T5 fluorescent lamps, T8 fluorescent lamps, and halogen pin lamps are affected. They are non-sustainable light sources, and the goal is to adopt long-term energy-efficient solutions by helping households and offices to reduce energy costs and be energy efficient. From the first of September 2023, T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes will be phased out altogether; this doesn't mean you can't find them in the shops but that they are no longer being made. Business owners must sell energy-saving alternatives and discard fluorescent lamps as hazardous waste, or they can recycle them. Buy Fluorescent Lamps at SparksWhy are fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes banned?The Ecodesign and RoHS directives work to achieve the Global Goals and the EU's 2030 climate goals so that the lighting products' performance would be environmentally friendly in the EU and the UK. The minimum requirements for products' environmental performance are not met by fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, which have significantly higher energy consumption and a shorter lifespan than LED lamps. Furthermore, the RoHS directive wants to get rid of hazardous chemical substances in all electrical and electronic equipment, including the lighting equipment. What is the Schedule for Phasing Out Fluorescent Lamps in the UK?Here are the dates in the schedule for banning fluorescent lamps in the UK:25 February 2023 - prohibition of the placing on the market of all fluorescent lamps in ring form (T5, T9) and Compact fluorescent tubes, < 20 000 h lifetime. 24 February 2023 is the RoHS expiry date.25 February 2023 - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in base (CFLni). 24 February 2023 is the RoHS expiry date.25 August 2023 - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps and Compact fluorescent tubes, > 20 000 h lifetime. This includes T8 18-58W, T8 70W and special lengths. 24 August 2023 is the RoHS expiry date.1 September 2023 - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all Halogen Pins (Low voltage halogen lamps G4 and GY6.35 and mains voltage G9 230V). All halogen capsules are also phased out.24 February 2025 - Circline T9 lamps.24 February 2024/2027 - Special fluorescent lamp products. 24 February 2027 - High-Pressure Sodium (SHP) lamps.In other words, from September 2023 the T5 fluorescent lamps and the T8 fluorescent lamps are banned. The availability of these popular fluorescent tubes and lamps will be uncertain after the phase-out, so we recommend switching to LED lamps - LED battens, LED light bulbs, and LED panels, which are energy efficient. Buy LED Lamps at SparksExceptions to the RoHS Fluorescent Lamps BanMost fluorescent lamps are phased out and banned, but there are some that can still be used. These are special lamps made for special purposes in the industrial sector or the medical sector. In these sectors, sufficiently reliable mercury-free substitutes are not yet available, so these fluorescent lamps have been given a time-limited exemption under the RoHS directives. However, when it comes to residential, domestic, or commercial fluorescent lamps, most of them are being phased out and replaced by energy-efficient LED lamps.What are the Alternatives to the Fluorescent Lamps?If you have not yet switched from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, now is the time to. There are many alternatives available to the T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps, the compact fluorescent lamps, and any other fluorescent light bulbs. LED lamps, LED battens, and LED panels are now available to replace existing fluorescent lamps; they are more eco-friendly than any other light source. On our website, you can still find some fluorescent lamps, but most of them are for in-store pick-up, and soon they will no longer be available. Just imagine, a 6W fluorescent bulb is now replaced by a 2W LED lamp, and a 25W fluorescent lamp is replaced by a 12W LED lamp! Cut the energy costs in half with the LED lamps.What are the Advantages of Switching from Fluorescent to LED Lamps?In case you are not convinced concerning the benefits of switching from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, here are some of the main advantages:Many of the LED lamps match the shape and size of a fluorescent so that you can retrofit the luminaires.You can safely and easily replace the fluorescent tubes and fluorescent lamps, even if sometimes rewiring is required. Long lamp life: up to 50.000h average rated lifetime for LED battens, lasting up to three times more than the standard fluorescent lamps.Colour temperature can be selected either via CCT or from the beginning. Even though the LED lamps may have C to F energy class, they offer up to 90% energy savings. Most LED lamps come with a 5-year manufacturer warranty for complete peace of mind. The LED Lamps and Battens are more cost-effective: they may cost more upfront, but you will make it up in energy savings, long lamp lfe, and lower maintenance costs.Better for the environment: the LED lamps and battens don't contain hazardous substances such as mercury and can be safely recycled.Instant ON light: no need to wait for flickering light as with the fluorescent lamps. And the number of ON/OFF switches will not reduce the lifespan of the LED lamp.What to do if you still have fluorescent lampsThere is no need to panic at the moment if you still have and use fluorescent lamps, fluorescent battens, and fluorescent light products. However, it is good to plan to switch; instead of replacing the T5 or T8 batten, why not invest in eco-friendly LED battens? It is good to plan to switch from anything fluorescent to LED, which are future-proof and also becoming cheaper and more effective as the technology develops. As for the fluorescent lamps that you want to get rid of, we at Sparks can take them to safely recycle them; visit our lighting showroom in N19 5SE and bring in your fluorescent lamp for free recycling. It is easy to retrofit the existing lamp with LED Lamps, and where this is not possible, it is probably time to change the entire light fitting to something that is energy-saving and compliant with the current RoHS directives. If you are unsure what to do and need advice, do not hesitate to visit us in Holloway Road, N19 5SE, or call us at 020 7263 8007 to speak with our LED professional advisers. At Sparks, we can offer the best advice on how to switch to energy-efficient lighting and get rid of the existing fluorescent lamps.Further reading on the Phasing out of Fluorescent Lamps and TubesHere are some links to both official websites and suppliers that have put out more information regarding the phasing out and the ban of the fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, in no particular order. Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) - single market economy.Regulations: restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) - UK government guidance.RoHS guide - the website.The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2022 - UK legislation.Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive via Wikipedia.RoHS exemption applications: Secretary of State determinations - UK Government publication.Mercury-containing lamp exemptions to RoHS directive - EEB library.European Legislation Changes 2022-2023 - Impact on Traditional Lighting products - via Sylvania lighting.Get ready for the EU?s ban of fluorescent lights - switch to LED right now - via Phillips.EU Commission adopts regulation to ban all fluorescent lighting by September 2023, via European Council for Energy Efficient Economy.

In light of the energy bill increases coming up later this year, here are some lighting tips for saving both energy and money.On one hand, the use of LED lamps drastically reduces the amount of energy one uses at home.On the other hand, there are quite a few things one can do in order to save energy and money, thus reducing the energy bills considerably. Why are the Energy Bills Going up in 2022?By now, everyone knows that, due to a multitude of reasons both nationally and internationally, energy prices are rising, and there's a further rise in energy bills expected later this year.Ofgem put out a press release saying that the price cap will increase by £693 from April, and most homeowners and renters are quite worried about the upcoming winter.The energy crisis is an ongoing shortage of energy across the world, both in the UK and in Europe, and it affects our country very much.Here are the main reasons the energy bills are going up in 2022:The energy crisis: as countries began to recover from the pandemic, demand for gas started to increase and, unfortunately, it could not be met due to a shortage in supply - thus the gas price increased in 2021. This problem was made worse by the renewable sources (wind and solar) which produce less power, and by the cold weather during winter months which forces people to turn their heating up. Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatened supplies and drove up the prices even further since Russia is one of the world's largest producers of oil and gas. Energy companies went bust: some of the energy suppliers in the UK went out of business due to the increase in gas prices. British consumers who had to move from failed energy suppliers are paying more per month because so many energy providers went out of business.The "energy price cap" was introduced in January 2019 by Ofgem because of concerns that many people were paying too much for their energy.Ofgem caps the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge for their energy.This energy cap can is reviewed twice a year, but recently Ofgem decided to review it every three months so that the market may be stabilised.The change, Ofgem says, allows energy companies to adjust bills more quickly in response to the prices they are charged by wholesale suppliers.The record increase in global gas prices - up to 54% - caused not only worries among homeowners but also an increase in energy bills. Buy Ascoli Spots at Sparks6 Lighting Tips for Saving Energy and MoneyAs we are approaching the last half of the year and the long winter nights are coming, especially with the increase in the energy bills, we need to be aware of some things we can do to reduce these bills.There are some simple lighting tips - tips which relate to reducing energy and money spent on lighting - that help us save energy and money. Switch off the lights when you're not using them or you leave the room. This is the simplest tip but the one most easy to forget. If you leave the room, make sure you turn off the light or the lights; don't think that you'll be back in a few minutes - simply switch it off. And make sure you switch off ALL the lights, both the ceiling lights, the wall lights, and the floor lamps or table lamps. It is estimated that you can save as much as £20-40 per year just by switching off the lights.Switch to LED lamps everywhere. You may be surprised to find out that some of your wall lamps, ceiling lights, or table lamps may still use a halogen lamp or an incandescent lamp. We have been advising all our customers to switch to LED wherever possible; now this advice is a must! Even the picture lights which use a special lamp can be switched to LED lamps to reduce energy consumption and save on energy bills.Reduce the number of light fittings that are ON. If you have the ceiling light on, you may not need the table lamp on also; similarly, if you have the table lamp on, why leave the ceiling light on? Though you may use LED lamps in all your light fittings, the energy consumption of these light fittings add up, so it is advisable to reduce the number of light fittings you use. Install a time delay switch for light fittings in the hallway or corridor. A time delay switch allows the light to be on for a set amount of time, after which the light is turned off automatically. This is for corporate areas such as staircases, hallways, etc. A time lag switch can help you save energy and money, thus reducing your energy bills. Use PIR sensors or Timers for outdoor lights. We advise purchasing outdoor lights with PIR (presence detector) and/or using timers for the outdoor light fittings. It is quite a waste of energy and money to leave the front door light on the whole night, no matter how energy-saving the light bulb may be. Why not install a PIR wall lamp or a PIR flood light as security lights outdoor? These will turn on only when presence is detected, and they will be off the rest of the time, thus saving energy and money. Consider using transparent shades and clean the shades. Table lamps and pendant lights offer nice, diffused light, and we love the ambience they create. However, if the shade is quite dark, there needs to be a higher wattage lamp being used, which costs more. Why not switch to a more transparent shade to save more energy and money off your bills? And don't forget to clean your lamp shads regularly so that light may shine bright and not be blocked by dust and other impurities. Buy Slim CCT LED FloodlightConclusion and ReferencesThere are many more specific tips on reducing the lighting bill at home, and there is a long list of tips on reducing energy at the office or in commercial environments.However, the above six tips are the simplest tips for reducing the lighting bill, and we all can do them without investing too much.At Sparks, we offer a wide range of LED lamps and LED lights to help you reduce energy consumption.To see them for yourself, visit us either online or at our lighting showroom in North London. Further references on the energy crisis and reducing your lighting bill:BBC article on the energy crisis: what is the energy price cap, how might the bills go up, the energy price cap forecast, using smart meters, the fuel bill breakdown, and how this affects us; also, how to get help with the bills. Tips on saving energy and lighting - reducing the lighting bills.Ofgem press release: Price cap to increase by £693 from April.Energy Saving Trust article on, Why are energy bills going up?Factcheck: why are the energy bills going up? (via channel 4)Bright ideas to save energy and money (via energy label).