Electrician's guide to best LED lighting for garage

2022-11-15

When it comes to being an electrician, having the right tools for the job is imperative. But having the right tools requires a thorough understanding of the job and what it entails. The same is true when it comes to commercial and residential lighting projects. Knowing the LED lighting and the benefits and detriments can help you make educated decisions.

The most efficient lighting method, LEDs produce light by way of an electrical current passing through a semiconductor material to illuminate the tiny light-emitting diodes. Due to their size, several LEDs are sometimes combined to produce a single light bulb. The heat produced by these diodes is then absorbed into a heat sink, keeping the bulbs cool to the touch and adding to the savings and safety.

Verdict: LED lights have a lower wattage than incandescent lights, but emit the same light output. They last up to 20 years, can save as much as 86% in energy costs, and are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and wattages, making them ideal for nearly any commercial, industrial, or residential project.

AntLux 110W 8FT LED Wraparound Ultra Slim Strip Lights, 12600 Lumens, 5000K

Efficiency

A conventional bulb converts only 20% of its energy into light. The rest is lost as heat. On the other hand, LED lighting is as much as 80% to 90% efficient. Nearly all the electrical energy drawn by the product is converted into light. This may save you hundreds of dollars in the cost of electricity over a single year, allowing you to take advantage of the perks of an energy efficient home.

Longer Life

Some LED garage lights can operate continuously for 100,000 hours. That is 11 years of nonstop lighting, but if you use LED shop lights for just half of each day, you might get more than 20 years of use out of them. On the other hand, many conventional lights may last months or less. If you want to install lighting in a stairwell or other tight area, efficient lighting is the way to go.

Choices

LED shop lights come in many sizes and configurations. From single to multiple diodes in a single compact package, LED lighting can consist of multiple arrays of light sources. Color temperature is another factor. The correlated color temperature (CCT) of a light usually falls between 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin, the lower number being warmer or more yellow and the higher numbers representing colder, bluer light (by comparison, the noontime sun in a clear sky is about 5,500K). You can, therefore, find LED lights for many environments and purposes.

Light Management

Traditional lights offer few options to manage light distribution, but LED lighting fixtures can direct light to where you want it. You can, therefore, choose to accent certain centerpieces or parts of a room. In addition to accuracy, LED lights can be easily dimmed, allowing the user to select how much light they want at once.

Compatibility with Existing Sockets

LED lights are available as replacements to traditional lights, so can, therefore, fit into a socket you already have. However, different lights are designed for different sized sockets. You can’t just fit any new lights into whatever socket you have. Replace an existing socket if it looks worn, damaged, or corroded or contact a professional if you believe electrical repairs are needed.

AntLux 4FT LED Wraparound 40W Shop Lights for Garage, 4400lm, 4000K

Replace less-efficient fluorescent light fixture with a 4400 lumens output at 40 watt 4ft LED Wraparound light. Energy Savings of up to 70% electric bill instantly. Provides 50,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.

Compatibility with New Technology

For maximum technological advantages, choose smart LED lights. Programmable ones can be controlled via your smartphone. Some even change colors to accommodate the desired mood and effect. Such bulbs are costlier than standard LED products, but the benefits can be well worth it depending on your needs.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Garage Lighting

While shopping for the best garage lighting, keep these important factors in mind.

Brightness 

Garages receive little or no natural light, so when upgrading a lighting setup, choose fixtures that put out a lot of bright light. The lighting industry measures brightness by lumens—a measure of light produced during a specific period of time. Bottom line: the more lumens, the brighter the lighting will be.

Lumens are not the same as watts. Watts measure energy used; lumens measure brightness. However, for the sake of comparison, a 75-watt bulb produces about 1,100 lumens. As a general rule, the ideal lumen range for workshop and garage lighting is around 3,500 lumens.

Color Temperature 

Color temperature refers to the color the light produces and is measured in kelvins (K).  Temperatures range between 3500K and 6000K, with the lower end being warmer and more yellow and the higher end cooler and bluer.

Most garages tend to be gray and industrial-looking, so cooler lighting temperatures are usually the most flattering, while warmer temperatures can give the floor a dingy look. Aim for a temperature in the area of 5000K. The light produced by a 5000K bulb will be slightly blue but not glaring or harsh to the eyes.

AntLux 4FT LED Flush Mount Puff Lights, 50W 5500lm, 3000K 4000K 5000K 3 Color Temperature Dimmable

This 4ft led flush mount light features with 3 color temperatures options to choose from 3000K warm white / 4000K neutral white / 5000K daylight white that you can choose by simply adjust the button to change the ambiance of the room as your need.(Light switch not included)

Some fixtures come with adjustable color temperatures, allowing DIYers to bounce through the range and choose the color temperature that works best for them.

Energy Efficiency 

Regardless of the lighting system chosen for a garage, a modern fixture will use far less energy than older incandescent lights. Fluorescent lights can cut energy consumption by about 70 percent over an incandescent light producing the same amount of light. LED lights are even better, cutting as much as 90 percent of the energy consumption of a comparable incandescent light. Factor in that they last much longer (over 10,000 hours compared to an incandescent light’s 1,000 hours), and the savings are tremendous.

Installation and Connectivity 

Installation and connectivity may play a large role in deciding on the best garage lighting fixtures. There are easy-to-install options that produce great results for DIYers without a lot of electrical experience. The easiest way to upgrade garage lighting is with screw-in bulb replacements. These aren’t just bulbs, but multipositional LED fixtures that screw into a basic light base. They don’t require any extra wiring or much effort on the part of the installer.

There are also plug-in systems that DIYers can string throughout a garage to produce a tremendous amount of light. These systems work through standard outlets: Simply plug them in and flip the switch. They often include “jumper” wires that will connect a set of lights together to illuminate an entire garage, and most times they install with simple clips.

AntLux 4FT LED Shop Lights for Garage, 4 Foot LED Wraparound, 40W, 4400LM, 4000K Neutral White

Compared to traditional lighting, our 4ft LED lights emit high brightness levels with lower energy consumption. It emits 4400lm only using 40w. Its high performance energy efficient LEDs will reduce operating costs and save your money. It is great alternative to replace outdated fluorescent with an energy-efficient integrated LED fixture. None of flickering and aggravation of fluorescent fixtures. The 4000K is a natural white without being harsh.

Fluorescent lighting, on the other hand, requires a bit more during installation. These lights have ballasts that regulate the voltage to the light bulb and require hardwiring into an electrical circuit within the garage. While not overly complicated, it is a more involved process.

Longevity

An LED light can last 25 to 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb, all the while reducing the amount of energy consumed. A fluorescent bulb can last as long as 9,000 hours compared to an incandescent bulb’s 1,000 hours. The reason LEDs and fluorescents last so much longer than incandescent varieties is that they don’t have a sensitive, fragile filament that can break or burn up.

AntLux 2FT LED Wraparound Flush Mount LED Garage Lights, 20W 2400LM, 4000K Neutral White

Replace less-efficient ceiling lights with a 2400 lumens output at 20 watt LED Wraparound flushmount light. Energy Savings of up to 70% electric bill instantly. Provides 50,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.

Climate

For unheated garages in areas that experience bitter cold winters, LED lights are the most suitable choice. In fact, LEDs become more efficient in colder temperatures. They don’t need to heat up, so they become bright immediately and produce consistent, energy-efficient light in very cold temperatures. By contrast, some fluorescent lights cannot operate if the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who live in areas where temperatures often dip below freezing will do best with an LED setup for the best garage lighting.

Choose Antlux led ligthing

AntLux's 4ft LED Wraparound Light provide high performance, long lifespan and energy savings for general purpose use. Our led shop lights provide you brighter, cheaper and healthier lighting than incandescent and fluorescent light fixture. A step up from Antlux led light fixture is not only in light but in look. It is the perfect energy-saving replacement for both remodel and new construction applications in residential and commercial needs.