Can You Save Energy by Dimmable LED Lights?

2022-11-29

One of the hallmarks of LED lighting is the vastly superior energy efficiency compared to traditional lighting technologies. And it makes people wonder — can you save even more energy by dimming LEDs? The short answer is absolute. But there’s a caveat to LEDs and dimming that you need to understand.

Dimming LEDs

Not all LED lights can be dimmed, but those that can are grouped into two categories that represent how the dimming process works. One method of dimming LEDs is called pulse width modulation, or PWM, and the other method is analogue dimming.

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Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) involves turning LEDs on and off at a speed faster than the brain can actually comprehend. When a dimmable LED bulb flips between being off for 75% of a second and on for the last quarter, it appears dimmed to about 25% of its total brightness. The light is brightened or dimmed by adjusting the length of time the light is on per cycle. There is no perception of flashing or flickering light, and this method offers specific control over both dimmability and energy usage.

Analogue Dimming

Analogue dimmers control the flow of energy into the LED. The lights are continually operational, but brightness is raised or lowered based on the amount of energy flowing into the light. With this method, an LED driver works as a switch box to increase or decrease DC voltage. That means no issues with noise and great control, but the shifting voltage means light quality can be inconsistent. It’s also relatively inefficient, as there’s always some level of energy loss, and the dimming range itself is dependent on the current and quality of the driver.

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Yes, You’ll Save Energy

There are pros and cons to both methods, but the fact remains that dimmable LEDs absolutely save energy. What’s more, that energy savings is directly proportional to the wattage you choose. If your dimmer is around 50%, you’re saving the same percentage in energy. That’s a huge benefit to businesses, giving you the flexibility to choose the appropriate level of light at any time of day or night and reducing your carbon footprint. Plus, dimming the lights minimizes heat stress and protects your bulbs.

A dimmable LED bulb is a lightbulb that can be adjusted to different levels of brightness. This allows you to control the amount of light in your home, which helps save energy and money on electricity bills.

A dimmable LED bulb works by using a special electronic circuit that allows the user to adjust the brightness of their light. This is done through an external switch or remote control, which sends signals to the dimmer inside your lamp. The dimmer then adjusts how much power goes into each individual LED in order to change its brightness level.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of  Dimmable LED Bulbs Based On Customer Reviews

Advantages

Advantages from a dimmable LED bulb in a review and comparison
Dimmable LED bulbs are known for their:

Energy efficiency
Wide selection of colors

Long lifespan – LED bulbs can last for up to 10 years of usage.

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Disadvantages

Some of the most common disadvantages you’ll find with dimmable LED bulbs are:

Incompatibility with older dimmers – Some bulbs will not be compatible with certain dimmers, but most bulbs are generally compatible.
Higher prices – LED bulbs typically have a higher upfront cost compared with standard incandescent bulbs, however, this can be offset with the longer lifespan of LED bulbs.

For what do I need to look out for when comparing dimmable LED bulbs?

Brightness

Brightness is measured in lumens, which, in simple terms, looks at the light output of the dimmable LED bulb.  A higher lumen count typically means a brighter bulb, so you should be looking at bulbs with a minimum of 600 lumens for that vibrant lighting.

Lifetime

LED bulbs are renowned for their long life expectancy, and many manufacturers will pride themselves on said longevity. Generally speaking, if you use your bulbs for 3 hours per day on average, most dimmable LED bulbs will last for at least 10 years.

Temperature

Temperature is a way to describe the color, or warmth of the dimmable LED bulb. Typically measured in kelvin (k), higher numbers like 9000k means a bulb with more blue, while lower numbers like 2600k means a bulb with more orange.

Energy used

Measured in watts (w), energy consumption is the most important part of any dimmable LED bulb for money-conscious customers. The lower the wattage, the less energy your bulb will consume, and because LED bulbs are quite low already, you should be looking at wattages close to 10w or under.

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What makes a good dimmable LED bulb?

A good dimmable LED bulb should be able to maintain the same color temperature when dimmed. It is also important that it does not flicker or change colors at different levels of brightness. The best way to test this is by using a light meter and measuring the lumen output as you turn down the lights in your room. If there are any changes, then you may want to consider another option for your home lighting needs.

Are LED bulbs more expensive than incandescent or halogen bulbs?

These days, dimmable LED bulbs are comparable in price to alternative kinds of dimmable bulbs. What's more, they are generally cheaper in the long term due to their impeccable low energy consumption compared to incandescent bulbs. For instance, an 11w bulb could produce the same level of light output as a 65w incandescent, which is incredibly efficient!