How Light Works: The Ultimate Guide

Posted on 8th April 202125th March 2022 by Charles Barnett

Last updated on 25th March 2022

When you’re starting to choose lighting for your home, it can be tough to know where to begin, even if you’re certain of the style you’re looking to create in your home. With so many different lighting options available, and lots of variables between the different types of bulbs, it can be pretty mind blowing. Through this post, we’ll take you through the different categories of lighting that you need in a room, and the types of fixtures that you can use for each category. From there, we’ll cover the important issue of light bulbs, since they’re pretty complex, and understanding how they work makes buying them much simpler.

We’ve written this post with absolute beginners to lighting in mind – those who are setting out living on their own for the first time, new home owners, and those who have previously ‘made do’ but are now ready to create a stylish home that they can be proud of.

What different types of lighting are there?

Where once we would have relied solely on the ceiling light to provide all the light in a room, today designers and lighting experts recommend having a range of different lighting available in a room – with at least one from each lighting category, to allow for optimal amounts of light for all the types of activities that may take place in the room. The main categories are ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.

As an example, in a bedroom:

Ambient lighting allows for getting dressed and moving around
Task lighting would allow for reading or for applying makeup
Accent lighting may be used to illuminate wall accessories, behind a TV or an aspect of the room’s design

Ambient lighting

Ambient light completely fills the room with light, and allows you to use the room as if it is daytime. It is often provided by the ceiling light in the centre of the room, but there are other types of lighting that can contribute to ambient indoor lighting.

Ceiling lighting fixtures which can include chandeliers, downlights, pendants, spotlights, track lights and batten lights
Wall lighting fixtures such as picture lights, uplights, ceramic lights and flush wall lights
Lamps of all types, including floor lamps, table and desk lamps

It may be the case that producing the optimal amount of lighting requires a number of lights to be used at the same time.

Task lighting

Task lighting does exactly what it sounds like – it produces light for specific purposes. This could be for reading, cooking or for studying. Task lighting can be provided by a range of lights, including:

Downlights and pendants
LED cabinet lights
Lamps, including floor lamps, bedside table lamps, and desk lamps

The type of task lighting that may be required is likely to differ from room to room and between the type of activity that it is needed for. For example, a desk lamp that is only used with a PC, or under-counter lights in the kitchen may be able to be a fixed type, whereas for craft activities, a lamp with a moveable head may be desirable.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting can take many forms, but is primarily there to highlight an accessory such as artwork or an architectural feature. This can be provided by lots of different types of lights:

Since accent lighting is there to highlight, then simpler light fixtures can help to keep the focus on the feature.

What type of lighting fixtures should I use?

The decision about which lighting fixtures you prefer is a personal one, and should be based on the type of look you are aiming to achieve in the room – but having at least one (if not more) of each type of lighting means that you’ll have the flexibility, and will be able to create the brightness that you need at any given time.

Ceiling lighting

Ceiling lighting is often the first lights that get chosen when moving into a new home. They tend to provide the general illumination in a room, but also add to the styling of the room.

While your personal preference, and the style and visual weight will ultimately guide your choice of ceiling lighting fixture, there are approximate calculations that you can use to narrow down the type of fixture that will work best in the space.

Working with the dimensions of your room in feet (rather than centimetres), add the number of feet in the width to the number in the length. The answer will give you the number of inches that your light fitting diameter should be. For example, if your room is 6 foot by 10 foot, the optimal size of light fitting would be 16 inches – which is about 40cm.

If you’re choosing statement lighting such as pendants that hang from the ceiling, the first thing to do is to get your tape measure out. It should go without saying, but you will need sufficient clearance underneath the fixture to avoid breakage and potential injuries. When hanging feature lighting from the ceiling, it is essential to have a minimum of two metres clearance between the floor and the bottom of the fixture (and if some members of the household are particularly tall, maybe a little more). If you’re hanging pendant lighting above dining tables, there should be at least 65cm between the table and the lighting fixture.

Wall lights

Wall lights can be used for all kinds of purposes – either to add to ambient lighting, as task lighting or as accent lighting – as well as providing a decorative accessory in a room with simpler styling. The function of the wall lights will influence the type of fixtures that you choose, while the style of the room will influence the type of wall lights that are chosen.

Where wall lights are used for effect, there may be a number of wall lights used – either paired, or in a series – or they may be positioned in an unusual spot. Using wall lights with colourful shades, and matching them with ceiling lighting can help to tie the overall look and feel of the room together, particularly where other accessories in the room coordinate.

Lamps

Whether you are choosing floor lamps, table lamps or desk lamps, as with wall lights, you’ll make your decision based on the size of the room, what category of lighting it is providing, and what activity the lamp will be illuminating.

Depending on their size, table lamps may contribute to the ambient light in a room, or may be purely used as task lighting – for example, for reading, or as a portable lamp that can be used for sewing or other types of crafts. Since more of us are using electronic devices for reading today (and are attached to our phones too), many styles of lamp now include USB charging points as part of their design. Where lamps are used for reading, dimmer switches are desirable – since this allows for better lighting throughout the day and night, when different levels of lighting are appropriate.

When choosing a table lamp:

Be sure that the bottom of lamp shade is approximately at eye level when seated, so that the bulb doesn’t shine directly in your eyes
Situate the lamp close enough to illuminate the task sufficiently
If the room has people walking through it often, then ensure your lamp is stable, so to prevent it tipping over
Ensure that the relative proportion of the lamp is appropriate – it should be no more than one and a half times the height of the item furniture that it sits on

When choosing a floor lamp:

As with table lamps, ensure that the lower edge of the shade is at eye level when seated
Avoid obstructing the view of décor such as artwork, as well as between seating locations
The smaller the room, the smaller the lamp should be
Keep safety first – if the floor lamp is likely to become a trip hazard (especially for children or elderly residents) it isn’t the right one

What type of light bulb do I need?

Once you’ve established the type of light fittings that you’re going to use in a room, and you’ve decided on the exact ones that you’re going to buy, you’ll need to choose your light bulb. Not all light fittings will have bulbs sent with them, and where they are, the bulb may not be to your preference. Choosing a light bulb isn’t always easy or straightforward either – since there are a number of variables that you’ll need to consider.

Choosing the right light bulb

If you’re replacing a bulb in an existing light fixture, the rule is to replace like with like – especially when it comes to the type of fitting. But the fitting isn’t the only thing you’ll need to consider. You’ll need to think about what the light is for (is it for ambient, accent or task lighting?), and what shape suits the fixture, as well as the cost both of the purchase, and in the longer term. Let’s take a look in more detail.

Fitting

While there are plenty of different types of light bulb fitting, when we’re looking at domestic light fittings, there are three main types that prevail: bayonet, screw cap, and pin and push-fit base bulbs. Generally, with these types of light fixtures, it should be easy to find a bulb that will suit.

When changing a bulb, you’ll need to find the same type of fitting for the replacement. Although adaptors are available, they should rarely be required, since different types of bulbs are so easily found today, especially from lighting specialists.

But establishing the fitting of the bulb is the easy part, since you don’t have to opt for the same colour or brightness – which is what we’ll come to next.

Function

As we’ve already determined, there are many different types of lighting fixtures, that can be used for different purposes. The function that the light fitting fulfils will determine the brightness, and the hue of the bulb that you choose.

Brightness

Newer types of bulbs use different amounts of watts to produce the same amount of brightness – and there are differences between types. Historically, light bulb manufacturers used the number of watts that were required to produce the amount of light to illustrate the brightness of a bulb.

Today, bulbs are much more efficient, and to produce the same amount of light as an old style incandescent 60 watt bulb, an LED bulb needs just 10 watts, while a halogen bulb requires around 42 watts. The differences in watts required for the same amount of light is the reason that light bulb manufacturers no longer use the measurement of watts to describe the brightness of a light bulb. So rather than measure the amount of power required, manufacturers now use Lumens to describe the levels of brightness that the bulb will provide. The higher the number, the brighter the light provided by the bulb.

Warmth

When choosing your light bulbs, you’ll also need to consider whether you want a cool toned, or a warm toned bulb. The decision will depend on several factors:

What type of fixture you’re using the bulb in
The space the light is being used in
What activities the light will illuminate
The time of day the room, and the light will be used

For rooms that require lighting levels that are near daylight, and that aren’t being used close to bedtime, then a cooler toned bulb can be used – bright white, or slightly blue-toned, will help to mimic natural daylight. Where being alert is not as desirable, such as for bedside table lamps, then warmer, yellow toned bulbs are preferable.

The measurement of bulb warmth is measured in Kelvins. The warmth of candle light is measured at approximately 1,500 Kelvin, while normal daylight (depending on whether it is a sunny or cloudy day) is measured at between 5,000 and 7,000 Kelvin. The higher the number on the Kelvin scale, the colder the light provided will appear, and cooler toned bulbs often appear to be brighter than warmer toned bulbs of the same Lumen measurement.

Choosing the bulb

Although watts are no longer used as a measurement of light bulb brightness, most bulb manufacturers will display both the Lumen measurement, and the equivalent in watts in an older style incandescent bulb, as well as the Kelvin measurement on the packaging. Not only that, but there will also usually be a description in words to describe the type of light – such as ‘warm white’. That means that when you’re in a store picking a light bulb, if you’re used to choosing bulbs based on watts, you’ll be able to see the numbers that you need, and the description will help if you’re not sure.

Format

Once you’ve decided on the colour, brightness and you know the fitting that you need, you can narrow down the shape that you want. There are an incredible array of different shaped bulbs, from traditional ‘bulb’ shapes, to candle, golf ball, pear shape, spiral and stick bulbs – and once you’ve established that you have the correct cap fitting (either screw or bayonet, for example) and the correct brightness, it is up to you. In many cases, if the bulb is hidden, the choice of bulb will be simply down to personal preference and it won’t matter. However, if your lighting fixture intentionally exposes the light bulb, then it may be better choose a style with a decorative filament, or that complements the design of the fixture.

Cost

While the general rule of buying the best quality you can afford definitely comes into play here – since a better quality bulb is likely to last longer too. The longer-term cost of running a bulb will also be relevant, especially if you are in your ‘forever home’. The initial cost of LED bulbs are higher than other types, but they are much more energy efficient, and can last for up to 25 years. Not only does this provide much more convenience – you won’t need to replace it as often – but the energy savings can add up dramatically. Savings can add up to more than £180 over the product’s lifetime, which makes it well worth the investment.

Final thoughts

We’ve covered the basics of lighting in this post, and yet we’ve barely touched on design. Understanding the basics of lighting is important though, and can help to guide your decisions when you’re designing, and shopping for the room of your dreams. Our key takeaways:

Ensure you have a range of lighting in each room, with at least one light from each category of ambient, task and accent lighting
Be careful to measure before making a purchase – having lighting that is in proportion to the room, and that allows sufficient clearance is essential
Choosing the best bulb for the purpose should be done carefully, with the correct brightness and colour taken into consideration

Our range of lighting covers all the types of fixtures mentioned in this post, and we stock an extensive range of bulbs. If you are looking for a particular item, or need technical advice, please get in touch – our team of experts are happy to help.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

Colour temperature & rendering explained

Posted on 20th December 20199th August 2024 by Andrew Evangelidis

Last updated on 9th August 2024

Colour temperature and colour rendering are terms you’ll see when buying lights, but what exactly do they mean? These specifications will help you choose exactly the lighting you need. They are rooted in physics, but can be simply expressed:

Colour temperature refers to the overall colour of white light. It tells us whether a lamp or light fitting has a warm bias (i.e. red or yellow) or a cool one (i.e. blue).
Colour rendering relates to the underlying colours in any light source. White light is a mixture of many colours, which are not individually visible. To accurately show the colour of any object, that colour must be hiding in the light.

A useful example – the sodium street lamp

Have you ever noticed how, under traditional street lighting, it’s near-impossible to see most colours? This is an exaggerated example of poor colour rendering. It means the colour you’re trying to identify is not contained in the light.

The street light—despite its lowly colour performance—still has an overall colour. Its strong yellow hue gives it an estimated 1800K colour temperature (yellower than any household bulb).

Kelvin colour temperatures

Remember that kelvin colour temperatures are counter-intuitive: higher temperatures mean cooler colours (e.g. 2700K is warm and 6500K is cool).

Technologies

Lighting technologies have specific colour properties, which may help you make good buying choices:

Incandescent light is always warm in colour temperature (e.g. 2700K) and excellent for colour rendering, containing all colours of the visible spectrum. It is, nonetheless, relatively poor for displaying violet or blue colours, which are muted by its warm bias.
Halogen light is always warm in colour temperature (e.g. 3000K), and excellent for colour rendering. It is better balanced than incandescent light, with stronger radiation of cooler blue and green colours despite its warm hue.
Fluorescent lights are made in all colour temperatures, achieved by varied use of phosphors. Colour rendering is inferior to filament lighting. However, the ability to combine cool colour temperatures with high-quality colour rendering allows some fluorescent lamps to imitate daylight.
LED lights are also made in various colour temperatures. Again, colour rendering is inferior to filament bulbs, though it is of a high enough standard for most purposes. The best colour rendering in LED technology is prohibitively expensive compared to fluorescent equivalents. Dimmable LEDs have the advantage of maintaining their colour at all brightness levels, which is not true of filament lamps.

Below are two spectral distribution charts. Very simply, you can deduce from the smooth diagonal of the incandescent bulb that its colour rendering is more predictable than fluorescent lighting (LED is similarly disadvantaged). This benefit is offset by the strong red bias, which subdues violet and blue colours and is controllable in modern technologies.

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Incandescent light spectral distribution

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CRI Ratings

CRI (colour rendering index) ratings indicate the quality of colour rendering. They measure how accurately a light can render eight colour patches against expected results. The scores represent percentages (e.g. CRI 80 is 80% averaged accuracy). Although this specification is lenient and limited in scope, it gives some indication of quality of light. It says nothing about colour temperature or bias.

Colour choices

It is widely accepted that the human response to warm lighting is relaxation, whereas cooler lighting makes us more alert and focused. Thus, warm lights are used in homes and hospitality settings, whilst cool lights are found in work places and schools.

In the following examples, we’ll demonstrate alternate lighting choices in related applications:

Restaurant lighting

In the dining area of a restaurant, a light such as the Edit Springsteen Ceiling Pendant is bound to create an impression. Here, you’d want to fit a warm white lamp to emphasise the shade and create a relaxing mood.

Back in the kitchen, cool white LED light panels will help staff to stay focused and alert. Cooler light also appears brighter to humans, and in the case of LEDs is slightly more energy efficient.

Retail lighting

In a furniture shop, you’d need warm light to emulate residential lighting. High-quality colour rendering is important to ensure vivid, accurate colours. Try using LED Spot and Track lights to focus lighting at your displays, alongside warm floor lamps to replicate the customers home.

A cool white light might be used in a shop such as a fish mongers. The aim is to emphasise the colour of the product. The Flash recessed display light is a good option in this instance.

Picture lights

Picture lights have improved greatly since the original halogen options. LED fittings are now both better value, but also better for the photo or artwork it is adorning. They give off minimal UV radiation compared to their halogen and incandescent predecessors, therefore they emit no harmful toxins and are safe to use for many years.

For more lighting information, advice and ideas take a look at our Lighting Advice section.

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

Andrew is an experienced buying professional who takes an entrepreneurial approach to identify new lighting solutions and ensure Lyco have first-to-market ranges for our customers. Having previously worked for well known brands such as Wickes, Carphone Warehouse and Toys R Us, Andrew has now turned his hand to sourcing commercial lighting and ensure our customers receive top brand quality products at marketing leading prices. He manages a team of commercial and decorative buyers who travel the world finding new products that our customers don’t even know they need yet.

What are daylight bulbs?

Posted on 15th March 201729th March 2022 by Charles Barnett

Last updated on 29th March 2022

In an ideal world, we’d all live and work in places that offered the perfect natural light for whatever we needed to do, when we needed to do it. However, we don’t all get to sit next to wall-sized picture windows, or have the luxury of only working in daylight. And let’s face it, the British weather usually leaves something to be desired. This is where daylight bulbs can help as they provide a similar level of lighting to natural daylight.

View our full range of Daylight bulbs >

Match your lighting needs

Different people need different things from their lighting, particularly in an office or study environment. Visually-based workers such as designers, architects, clothes makers and illustrators need lighting as close to natural light as possible, while anyone who deals with a lot of paperwork or fine print needs bright, clear lighting. Interestingly, in the retail sector, different types of lights are used in ways you may not expect – supermarkets use special fluorescent tubes in their meat counter fridges to bring out the red of the meat, and make it look extra tasty.

SAD lighting

Another important factor to bear in mind is that some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and even those that don’t can be affected by a lack of natural light over a longer term. This doesn’t just apply during the long, gloomy winter months, but is also a factor in offices with no or little natural light. Luckily, all of these things can be addressed with full spectrum or daylight bulbs.

View our full range of SAD bulbs >

Daylight bulbs or Full Spectrum what’s the difference?

There are actually differences between full spectrum and daylight bulbs, so it’s important to get the right sort to fit your needs, as not every bulb fills every role. The light given off by a bulb is described by two measurements, the first of which is colour temperature, measured in Kelvin (K) – also used for measuring the brightness of distant stars. The yellowy orange of a classic tungsten bulb would be in the 2700K (warm white) range, with the light becoming colder and whiter, up to around 6500K for a cold blue light. The second measurement is Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which measures a light source’s ability to render colours faithfully, and is shown as a percentage. Again, higher is better, with the best possible rendition at a CRI of around 96%.

View our full range of Daylight bulbs >

So, what does this mean for you?

Well, bulbs and tubes basically fall into two categories – daylight and full spectrum (though the latter can occasionally be referred to as daylight as well). If price is a concern, and you just need the appearance of daylight – for brightening up a reception or communal area, for example, or for an airy-feeling office – a standard daylight bulb is fine. These tend to offer a colour temperature of 6000-6500K, and a CRI of about 80%. There are many different types of daylight bulb, from fluorescent tubes to LED Bulbs and even classic incandescent daylight bulbs.

If, however, you need perfect colour rendition for design or other visual tasks, you’re lighting a windowless room, or SAD is a factor, then full spectrum tubes are the best option. Full spectrum lights offer a colour temperature of 6500K and a CRI of 96%, offering a light as close to natural daylight as it’s possible to get. If you are equipping a design studio, workshop or basement, full spectrum is simply the best way to go.

What lighting have you got now?

Finally, if you’re not sure what type of lighting you have in your existing room, there’s a quick and easy way to check. On the bulb or tube, you’ll find a 3-digit number, i.e. ‘835’. This is the first digit of the CRI, plus the first two digits of the colour temperature. So the bulb in this example has 80% colour rendition, and a temperature of 3500K, while a full spectrum bulb might read ‘965’.

Why not take a look at our full range of Daylight Bulbs?

Looking for more information / inspiration? Check out our Lighting Advice section.

Where Next?

Charles Barnett Managing Director

CFL Bulbs – a handy guide

Posted on 15th May 201629th July 2021 by Andrew Evangelidis

Last updated on 29th July 2021

A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is a slim fluorescent tube folded or twisted into a small size. This type of bulb first emerged in the 1980s, but never sold in the desired numbers. Since then, the appearance of CFLs and their quality of light have been greatly improved.

Advantages to CFL

LED technology is better in some respects than fluorescent, but both offer major advantages over filament lighting. Here are some CFL benefits:

A CFL uses about 70% less energy than an equivalent halogen bulb and is often close to LED technology for efficiency.
A CFL emits light in all directions, so it is a natural replacement for incandescent lighting. (Tip: always check the size of a CFL against your light fitting before buying, as the bulbs tend to be a bit larger than originals.)
The lifespan of a CFL is usually between 8,000 and 20,000 hours, which is 8 to 20 times longer than most traditional incandescent bulbs.
CFLs are still cheaper, on average, than LED bulbs. They needn’t cost much more than halogen when sourced from a specialist seller such as Lyco.
CFLs emit a soft light that flatters nearby decor.

The main drawbacks of a CFL are lack of dimmability and the warm-up time needed to reach full power.

CFL examples: lamp types

The various CFLs available include the following:

- A 2D lamp produces lots of light for slim fittings such as bulkheads. Note that 4-pin CFLs are usually dimmable, which is rare in CFLs (requires dimmable control gear in the fitting).
- Pin-fitting CFLs are used in dedicated low-energy fittings. Just to confuse you, these bulbs are named differently according to brand. If you’re looking for a specific pinned CFL and have a code, find it quickly with our handy CFL code look-up chart.
- Spirals and sticks have standard bayonet or screw-fit bases. Their look takes some getting used to, but is often hidden anyway by shades. Decorative bulbs are designed to be seen and is a popular choice in hospitality settings and homes.
- GLS bulbs are available in CFL form, and they make a good replacement for incandescent bulbs with their bright, omnidirectional light. Our Low Energy GLS Bulbs last 5 times longer than most original filament bulbs while costing only a little more.
- CFL candles tend to be slightly larger than other types of candles and don’t have a clear finish (sometimes preferred for decorative fittings). They do emit a soft light with little glare, however, which makes them ideal for eye-level fittings as well as some ceiling lights.
- Golf balls and globes are both sold in CFL form. A CFL like the Low Energy Globe is usually used in open ceiling lights and emits enough light for a large room.
- CFL reflectors replace the incandescent reflectors often used in ceiling lights. Like the originals, their reflective interior coating gathers light and creates a spotlighting effect. Unlike the originals, they are energy efficient.

Feel free to browse our full range of energy saving CFL bulbs.

For more advice and guidance take a look at our Lighting Advice section.

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

The light bulb phase out schedule

Posted on 17th April 201629th July 2021 by Charles Barnett

Last updated on 29th July 2021

In 2009, the EU began phasing out of inefficient bulbs in favour of energy-efficient alternatives. The incandescent light bulb has existed for 130 years, but a global need to reduce carbon emissions has made it obsolete. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient because they waste most of their energy creating heat.

New bulbs on the block

The natural successors to the incandescent bulb are CFLs and LED bulbs. These use 60-90% less energy than incandescent lighting and offer a much longer lifespan.

EU phase-out timetable

On 18th March 2009, a timetable was created by EU states outlining the gradual withdrawal of incandescent bulbs from production. Most of the phase-out has taken place, but latter stages of the schedule have been reviewed. The current chronology (May 2016) is as follows:

1st September 2009	Phase-out of clear 100W and above incandescent bulbs. Non-clear (frosted/pearl) bulbs require an ‘A’ energy rating (effectively meaning they must be CFL or LED).
1st September 2010	Phase-out of 75W clear incandescent bulbs.
1st September 2011	Phase-out of 60W clear incandescent bulbs.
1st September 2012	Phase-out of all remaining clear incandescent bulbs (i.e. 40W and 25W).
24th February 2016	Phase-out of some bulbs previously defined as special purpose, including incandescent rough service bulbs, high/low temperature bulbs and clear glass decorative filament bulbs (tinted glass models still permitted).
1st September 2016	Phase-out of directional mains-voltage halogen bulbs (i.e. GU10, PAR, R-type).
1st September 2018	Phase-out of non-directional halogen bulbs (i.e. candle, GLS, globe, golf ball).

Special-purpose items such as fridge and oven lamps, halogen capsules and linear R7s bulbs are untouched by these bans, as they cannot be adequately replaced by other technologies.
Low voltage halogen lamps (e.g. MR16) remain available in the EU. Unlike 240V equivalents, these can achieve a ‘B’ energy rating by using an IR coating in their design. This ensures the long-term survival of some 12V halogen products.

About energy ratings…

On the 1st September 2013, EU Regulation 874/2012 came into force. Among other things, this introduced A+ and A++ energy classes to cater for LED improvements and deleted defunct F and G classes. From the 1st March 2014, all light fittings entering the market and sold directly to end-users must be labelled with the energy rating of compatible or supplied bulbs (see this article). Fittings installed with non-replaceable light sources must be identified at the point of sale.

For more lighting news and information, please take a look at our Lighting Advice section.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

LED conversion – how much will I save?

Posted on 26th January 201526th September 2022 by Andrew Evangelidis

Last updated on 26th September 2022

Lighting constitutes an incredible 20% of worldwide energy consumption, so it likely also accounts for a large part of your business’s electricity costs – and with energy costs rising, most homes and businesses are looking for ways to make savings. While spending money investing in an LED conversion (switching your existing light bulbs to LED bulbs) may seem like you’re spending money unnecessarily, but you’ll end up making huge savings and doing better for the planet at the same time. Let’s take a look at the other advantages of converting to LED lighting.

Advantages of LED conversion

LED lighting products have been intensely developed over the past few decades, with lighting designers exploiting the flexibility they offer, and they’ve steadily decreased in price too. The lower cost and enhanced look of LED lighting solutions isn’t the only advantage that converting offers.

Energy-efficiency – LED technology is extremely energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting (including halogen styles that have now been banned) and 60% less than old fluorescent lighting.
Lifespan – LED light bulbs last up to 50 times longer than a traditional light bulb, so you spend far less time and money in maintenance and can reduce your stock of spare light bulbs.
Temperature – Because LED lighting projects little or no IR heat in its beam, converting to LED reduces fire risk and potentially, air conditioning costs too. LED spotlights can be useful for lighting heat-sensitive items such as works of art, or food.
Durability – LED lighting is resistant to shock and vibration and performs reliably at cold temperatures (typically down to -20°C), making it a logical choice for outdoor lighting.
Environment- In addition to lower energy consumption, LED lighting has a lower environmental impact too – most LEDs can be recycled at the correct facilities, but more importantly, no mercury is used, so if the bulb or unit is disposed of with regular waste, it won’t contaminate landfill sites.
Battery – Due to the smaller amount of power required, LEDs are suitable for emergency lighting and solar styles.
Adaptability – Many LED lights, particularly smart models, provide greater flexibility than traditional types, with the ability to change the colour temperature (perfect for office spaces where cool white is better in the morning and warm white in the afternoon or evening) as well as the brightness of the light.

How much can I save by converting to LED?

Great question – and the answer is one you’ll like! The combination of longer lifespan and lower energy consumption guarantees a return on investment, whether you’re talking one bulb or a thousand.

Switching to LED bulbs saves money in the home – the Energy Saving Trust estimates around £13 per year per 100 watt incandescent bulb replaced – which adds up to a significant saving throughout the home. In a business, where lighting is kept on for longer hours and bulb changes have typically been much more frequent, an LED conversion can save thousands of pounds per year.

Making the change to LEDs has the potential to save your business thousands of pounds, and even a 20% reduction in your energy costs could provide the same benefit as a 5% increase in sales.

LED conversion case study

To give you an idea of how much you can save, here’s an example scenario calculating the benefits of an LED conversion. In this example, the bulbs are installed in a stairwell, and are switched on permanently, 24 hours a day.

Pre-conversion costs

Based on 20p per Kw/H for non domestic use as published by the Government Statistical Data June 2022

Post conversion running costs

Based on 20p per Kw/H for non domestic use as published by the Government Statistical Data June 2022

As you can see, annual running costs are reduced by £19,053 per year. Even with the increased cost of the bulbs, there are still overall savings in excess of £11,000 to be made – think of what else you could spend those thousands on!

Having made a strong case for conversion based on running costs, the only objection left is that of the initial outlay to buy the replacements. But the cost of LED bulbs and lights has reduced and is now comparable with traditional incandescent bulbs.

Lighting controls such as smart lighting with Wi-Fi connectivity, dimmers, motion sensors and timers can substantially reduce energy costs and when you’re tackling an LED conversion, this is a great time to install these. These controls also increase bulb lifespan, further reducing maintenance costs.

LED conversion conclusion

The upfront cost of tackling an LED conversion shouldn’t be one that deters businesses from making the switch, since LED lighting offers a large number of benefits. A substantial reduction in energy bills is the main reason to change to LEDs, but the reduction in maintenance costs can also be significant, depending on the size and nature of the building – and allows your maintenance team to work more efficiently too.

Reducing the carbon footprint of your business by switching to LED is a worthwhile endeavour, and as part of wider efforts to support the environment, is an initiative that customers will appreciate – and since halogen lights have now been banned in the UK, replacing existing bulbs with LEDs just makes sense.

An LED conversion can be achieved with very little disruption to your business. Lyco Direct have helped some of the UK’s biggest companies convert to LED. For larger projects, we offer flexible finance schemes that allow you to offset payment with energy savings.

If you’d like free expert advice on converting your business’s lighting to LED, please give us a call on 0345 646 1133 or send us an email and we’ll be happy to help.

Feeling inspired? Browse our full range of LED bulbs and LED lighting.

Looking for more information on lighting? Visit our Lighting Advice page.

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

Commercial & industrial lamps – pros & cons

Posted on 2nd July 20149th August 2024 by Andrew Evangelidis

Last updated on 9th August 2024

Investment in lighting is important for any industrial or commercial premises. Practical benefits aside, the right choices will minimise running costs and strengthen profits. Linear fluorescent and HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights are the norm in this sector, though LED technology is gaining in popularity. This article looks at various commercial and industrial lamps and weighs up their pros and cons.

HID Lamps

HID lamps produce light by creating an electric arc between two electrodes in a gas-filled tube. They are a particularly powerful light source, used for car parks, gyms, factories, football stadiums, paths, roads, and warehouses. There are various types of HID lamp, as follows.

Metal Halide lamps last from 7,500 to 20,000 hours and are used in sports stadiums and car parks. They are also a good choice for warehouses and other high bay indoor purposes. The lamps produce a crisp white light and offer a good standard of colour rendering with typical CRI 60 to 70 scores. A choice of colour temperatures is possible, from warm white to daylight. With a luminous efficacy of between 80 and 120 lumens per watt, these lamps match the best LED or fluorescent products for energy efficiency.

A typical example of a metal halide lamp is the Venture 150W Double Ended Metal Halide, which has a cool 4200K colour temperature that’s ideal for work areas and sports activities.

The main disadvantages of metal halide lamps include light pollution, UV emission if their outer glass breaks, and use of mercury and other heavy metals.

Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lamps are also called ceramic discharge metal-halide lamps (CDM). The main difference between them and regular quartz metal halide lamps is that they allow a higher arc tube temperature, resulting in improved colour rendering and stability. For this reason, CDM lamps are often used in colour-critical applications such as retail display lighting, architectural lighting, or film and television.

SON-E lamps are elliptically shaped, high-pressure sodium lamps. They are used in street lighting and general floodlighting. One of the main advantages of these lamps is their energy efficiency, which is shown by a luminous efficacy ranging from 65 to 140 lumens per watt. The higher end of that scale is unsurpassed by most light sources. Lifespan is also impressive with average expectancy of 15,000 to 50,000 hours. Colour temperature in these lamps is always warm.

SON lamps work with ignitors, which are either in the lamp itself (internal) or in the fitting (external). The 70w SON-E uses an internal ignitor and boasts a 12,000-hour lifespan and luminosity of 5,800 lumens.

On the down-side SON lamps offer poor colour rendering. A CRI 20 to CRI 30 score reflects this, which is unusable in any setting where colour recognition is important.

SON-T lamps are tubular high-pressure sodium lamps, with the same advantages and disadvantages as SON-E varieties (above).

White-Lux SON lamps are a metal halide lamp designed to work in a standard SON fitting. The main benefit is a more natural light with a cooler colour temperature and greatly improved colour rendering. Possible uses for this lamp are identical to those listed under metal halide, including sports stadiums and halls, car parks, and warehouses. This is a fine choice for anyone who wants to upgrade light quality in an existing SON fitting without having to change either the fitting or ballast.

Mercury vapour lamps are used in applications such as warehouses, car parks, stadia and other large-scale industrial buildings. They are a type of gas discharge lamp that uses an electric arc through vaporised mercury to emit light. A white phosphor coating is often used on the outer lamp to generate an intense white light.

The main drawbacks of high-pressure mercury vapour lamps are their slow 4-7 minute warm-up time, middling energy efficiency (about 50 lumens per watt), and inferior colour rendering compared to metal halide lamps.

Dual SON & Mercury lamps are dual metal halide lamps that can be used in either SON or mercury fittings for superior performance. They give a whiter, crisper light with improved colour rendering, and this is achievable without the cost of installing new light fittings or control gear. Suitable applications include factories, retail environments and sports halls.

White SON [SDW-T] lamps run at a higher pressure and temperature than regular SON lamps to achieve a superior standard of colour rendering. Manufactured by Philips, they usually carry a minimum CRI 80 score, which extends their suitability to applications such as downlighting, display lighting, and café or restaurant lighting.

There are disadvantages with White SON lamps, however, including high upfront cost and reduced energy efficiency. Our Philips models have a luminous efficacy of about 50 lumens per watt, which is less than half that of some HID lamps and is roughly equal to low-end LED or fluorescent lighting.

SOX (low-pressure sodium) lamps are gas discharge lamps that use sodium and neon gas to produce yellow light. These are the most energy-efficient of all artificial light sources, with typical luminous efficacies of between 100 and 180 lumens per watt. They are ideal for applications such as airports, harbours, foundries, orientation lighting, quarries, railway marshalling yards and crossings, rolling mills, security, and street lighting.

The main downside of a SOX lamp is its monochromatic light, which makes it impossible to discern colour in the absence of any other light source. For that reason, it’s a poor choice of lamp in any setting with colour safety markings or where crime prevention is needed.

LED

LED commercial and industrial lighting often comes in the form of dedicated LED fittings, which are so long-lived that they do not take replacement bulbs. The whole fitting is replaced at the end of its useful life. LED lighting is naturally directional and thus easy to control. For that reason, dedicated LED fittings are uncommonly efficient in delivering light and less wasteful than other sources.

Disadvantages of LED include greater upfront cost and lower energy efficiency at source than some rival products (the best LED lighting cannot match the lumens per watt performance of sodium lamps). On average, colour rendering is likely to be better in a ceramic metal halide lamp; most LED products have an approximate CRI 80 score.

Linear Fluorescent Lamps

Fluorescent tubes have long been popular in industrial and commercial environments as a cheap source of diffuse light. Lyco stocks a variety of fluorescent batten fittings to house them, some of which are usable outdoors. The main disadvantage of fluorescent lamps against HID lamps is that they produce less light, so you’ll theoretically need more fittings to provide the same coverage. They are also adversely affected by hot or cold temperatures, resulting in lower light levels. Linear fluorescent lighting is ideal for corridors, tunnels, and aisles.

Need more guidance?

Lyco has many years of experience in serving all types of trades and industries. Please feel free to contact our sales team for advice on lighting any premises.

Feel free to browse our full range of commercial bulbs.

Alternatively, for more lighting guidance take a look at our advice section.

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

LED replacement bulbs and their uses

Posted on 25th June 201429th March 2022 by Andrew Evangelidis

Last updated on 29th March 2022

When your existing bulbs expire it is now generally recommended that you invest in LED replacement bulbs. This is because they offer numerous benefits, the more attractive of which are vastly reduced energy consumption and lifespans that sometimes extend into decades.

In this article we look at thirteen different types of LED retrofit bulb: a baker’s dozen that should save you some serious dough. We also note areas where LED replacements may cause problems.

Types of LED replacement bulb

LED Candle Bulbs are tricky for designers because the bulbs they replace were often intended for show. The clear incandescent candle was used with chandeliers and other decorative fittings and admired for its scintillating light. Clear LED candles are ornamented for this reason, with silver or ivory-effect bodies and, in some cases, special lenses.

LED GU10s need attention when installed in confined light fittings, with some manufacturers warning of reduced lifespan in this type of application. GU10s are also used with track lights, bar lights, wall lights and outdoor spotlights. Some use COB LEDs, which are densely packed LED chips that produce an exceptionally even light. Typically a COB LED is wide beamed and recessed into the lamp for an authentic halogen reflector effect (most LED spotlights are reflectors only by name).

LED GLS Bulbs replace the everyday pear-shaped bulbs we all know. Many have an opal finish, which conceals unappealing LED chips but also helps to smoothly disperse light. Manufacturers like Crompton and Megaman go to some trouble to replicate the look and feel of incandescent bulbs.

LED Golf Balls and Globes are usually meant to be seen. Golf balls in particular are used with a clear glass finish in chandeliers and decorative pendants, so manufacturers try to make LED retrofits look attractive. Some golf balls and most globes have a translucent finish, which produces less sparkle but is good for soft, flattering light.

LED Low Voltage Spotlights are natural replacements for dichroic cool-beam 12V halogen spotlights, since they don’t project IR heat. One thing to note about all LED spotlights is their available choice of colour temperatures, which is impossible in halogen lamps. You can use this to accentuate different colours in display items. The little MR11 comes in LED form, as does the popular MR16.

LED Double D Bulbs offer savings of up to 60% over their fluorescent equivalents, whilst also boosting lifespan. Lesser known LED advantages include zero warm-up time, superior cold temperature performance, negligible UV output, shock-proof, vibration-proof and no mercury content. Many of these characteristics are beneficial for the type of use these lamps will see.

LED PAR Reflectors are used in a diverse range of applications, from swimming pool lighting to retail display or task lighting. Far more energy efficient and longer lasting than filament rivals, the wide choice of form and colour in these lamps makes creative lighting easy.

LED AR111 Reflectors replace halogen equivalents, which are often used in retail display lighting and domestic fittings. You’ll see a variety of designs, including the Edit 12W LED COB ES111, which emulates halogen lighting with its sunken COB LED module. Note that the ES111 is a mains-powered version of the AR111. Lyco sells a selection of both.

LED T8 Tubes are a replacement for the popular T8 fluorescent tube, which itself replaced the phased-out T12. Our LED tubes use 40-60% less energy than fluorescent rivals, whilst also outlasting them. In some cases LED tubes are rotatable for precise illumination, which avoids wasted light. Other benefits include zero warm-up time, no mercury content and little or no UV output to attract insects or fade artworks and fabrics.

LED Capsules are useful for everyday applications like desk lamps and wardrobe lights. They tend to be bulkier than halogen equivalents, so the size of the lamp housing should be checked before purchase. High-powered halogen capsules for specialist projector and theatre applications are not replaceable by LED.

LED Colour Lights are great for enlivening retail displays, social events, and swimming pools.

LED Double Ended Linear bulbs replace the powerful elongated halogen bulbs often used in floodlighting applications. Bulkier than the bulbs they replace, these offer astounding levels of luminous efficacy and are vastly more energy-efficient.

LED Pin Fittings replace non-ballasted CFLs, saving about 50% in energy costs. You’ll typically have to bypass or remove the ballast from a fluorescent fitting during installation. Like LED tubes, one way these lamps save energy is by not wasting light. For example, the Goodlight 8W LED allows 180° of adjustment for perfectly aimed illumination. Note that most of our LED pin fittings are non-dimmable, which may affect a decision when replacing 4-pin CFLs.

Watts versus lumens

One cause of confusion when switching to LED lighting is the abrupt uselessness of watts as a means of comparison. You can use “equivalent watts” as a guide to replacing incandescent bulbs, but you can’t use watts to compare LED products.

Lyco encourages use of lumens as a measurement of light output. Lumens measure the total amount of light produced, regardless of direction, whereas candelas measure light intensity in a specific direction. The second are more relevant to spotlights.

Can you replace any bulb with an LED?

Not quite, is the answer. The compact size of LEDs allows them to replace most bulbs, but there are three particular areas you need to be aware where issues can arise:

Light Direction

LED’s naturally directional light isn’t always ideal. To emulate omnidirectional bulbs, LED chips are usually mounted in relatively stout 360° configurations, which is only a problem when replacing skinny light sources like halogen capsules or linear lamps. LED versions of these products are normally broader, and some specialist types are not reproduced.

Heat dissipation

Heat dissipation needs in LED bulbs are significant. If you install a retrofit LED bulb into a confined and sealed fitting such as a fire-rated downlight you run the risk of shortening its lifespan. In some instances, a dedicated LED luminaire may offer a superior long-term solution.

Dimming capabilities

Whether or not an LED bulb is dimmable depends on its driver, and even if it is dimmable you’ll still need an appropriate switch. We have an article to help navigate these choppy waters, here.

Embracing technology

We hope this article has conveyed some of what LED currently has to offer. LED replacement bulbs make more economical sense than ever before, with many options now available at under £10. Why not embrace one of the greatest technologies of our time?

For more inspiration, ideas and advice try our Lighting Advice section.

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

What is a squirrel cage bulb?

Posted on 5th March 201421st September 2021 by Charles Barnett

Last updated on 21st September 2021

Lucide Baskett 4 Light Bar Ceiling Pendant - Black

Most of us are familiar with the classic pear-shaped household bulb, but what is a squirrel cage bulb? These bulbs appeared in the earliest years of the 20^th century, when lighting companies were competing to develop metal filaments. The carbon or metal filament was threaded up and down using support hooks until it resembled a squirrel cage, hence the name.

Back in fashion – the attraction

Today, squirrel cage bulbs are making a comeback, with increasing popularity in restaurants, bars, and homes. Still using the classic 100-year-old design (including the dimple of blown glass) these bulbs are mesmerising to look at. Their warm-glowing filaments have a calming effect similar to a traditional wax candle, or fireplace.

Lyco sell a selection of squirrel cage bulbs in either E27 Edison Screw or B22 bayonet cap fittings. One notable thing about these bulbs is their 2000K colour temperature. This is warmer in hue than standard 2700K incandescent lamps, which helps in creating a restful mood. To emphasise their fireside effect, some models also have gold-tinted glass.

Choosing the right fitting

An often ignored aspect of choosing a light fitting is the type of bulb to be used. The perfect foil for a decorative bulb can only be an open or clear-finished fitting. The Ricky Ceiling Pendant is ideal for a squirrel cage bulb, and makes a great choice of ceiling light for stylish restaurants and bars.

The Edit Crate 4 Light Bar Pendant acts as the perfect bulb-display cabinet. This modern statement light is ideal for showing off squirrel cage bulbs, and is stunning over a kitchen island or counter. The warmth of light and gorgeous-looking bulbs will set the scene for intimate meals or midnight snacks.

Back to the future

In recent years, comparatively new technologies such as LED have forever changed artificial lighting. However, there’s still demand for the high-quality light of a filament bulb. Most incandescent bulbs have been phased out by EU legislation for their inefficiency, but the squirrel cage bulb has returned. This bewitching lamp delivers light from a bygone age, and reminds us that not everything is lost.

Looking for more answers or advice? Try our Lighting Advice section.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

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