How to Buy LED Light Bulbs in Toronto

LED light bulbs are a great choice. There are a number of reasons why. They use about 80 - 85% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. They last significantly longer than compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) - about 2.5 times longer.

There have been significant advances in LED bulbs over the last few years and they make a great choice for a wide variety of residential and business applications. However, since many people aren't familiar with LEDs, it can often be a confusing and at times frustrating process to purchase the LED light bulbs that work for your particular situation. You might not be used to buying LED light bulbs, having chosen incandescent and CFL bulbs in the past. Don't worry. The process isn't as overwhelming as it may seem at first.

Here are a few tips for buying LED light bulbs in Toronto or anywhere else in Canada.

Wattage isn't the Same as Brightness: Look for Lumens

If you're used to buying incandescent light bulbs, you're probably familiar with buying light bulbs based on wattage. You might remember going to the store and picking up a 60 watt bulb for one room and a 100 watt bulb for another. This practice worked in the past because, with incandescent bulbs, there is generally a correlation between wattage and the brightness of the light. However, lumens is the real measurement of brightness provided by a light bulb. So, when you're buying LED light bulbs, look for lumens. After all, LED bulbs draw less energy than incandescent bulbs, so a 10 watt LED bulb can replace a 6 0 watt incandescent bulb and provide the same amount of brightness.

Colour Temperature

LED bulbs are capable of displaying a wide colour range. However, most people will want something similar to the "warm" hue of a incandescent bulb.

Light colour (or "colour temperature") is measured in Kelvins. The lower the number, the warmer/yellower the light. A typical incandescent bulb is about 2700 Kelvin. In halogen lights, a standard light is 2900 Kelvin. The typical LED standard that can replace an incandescent is about 3000 Kelvin. If you're looking for a "soft white" bulb that provides a warmer feel, consider bulbs between 2700 and 3000 Kelvin.

What Kind of Base do you Need?

One of the most common bulb types is the "classic" screw-in base that is often found on incandescent bulbs. This is known as an A19 base. Other options include GU4, GU5.3, GU10 and others. To see the differences between these bases, visit our LED Light Bulbs Page . If you're not sure what base you need, bring the old bulb in when you're buying the new one. The staff at the store will be able to help you choose the right bulb.

Need help? Visit our showroom and we can help you get what you need.