SWITCHING TO ENERGY-SAVING BULBS: HOW MANY OF YOUR LIGHTS ARE ACTUALLY LEDS?
I get the appeal of layering light, but honestly, I’ve found that investing in better quality LEDs up front made a bigger difference than I expected—especially in rooms we use most. The high CRI ones aren’t cheap, but they’ve lasted years for me, so the cost kind of evens out. I do miss the instant warmth of incandescents, but with the right color temperature (2700K or so), it’s not as far off as it used to be. I’d rather pay a bit more and not have to swap bulbs every year...
SWITCHING TO ENERGY-SAVING BULBS: HOW MANY OF YOUR LIGHTS ARE ACTUALLY LEDS?
You’re spot on about the high CRI LEDs—those make a world of difference, especially for spaces where color accuracy matters. I’ve noticed that too, particularly in kitchens and work areas. The upfront cost can be a bit of a hurdle, but like you said, the longevity and energy savings really do add up over time. I still find myself missing the dim-to-warm effect of old incandescents sometimes, but the newer LEDs are getting closer every year. It’s definitely worth the investment if you care about both quality and efficiency.
I still find myself missing the dim-to-warm effect of old incandescents sometimes, but the newer LEDs are getting closer every year.
That’s exactly my struggle—there’s just something about the way incandescents shift in color as you dim them. I’ve tried a few “dim-to-warm” LEDs, but they’re hit or miss. Has anyone found a brand that really nails that cozy amber glow? Also, curious if anyone else has noticed how some LEDs flicker ever so slightly, especially on dimmers... or is that just my old wiring talking?
I’ve run into the same issue with “dim-to-warm” LEDs—some look great, others just go sort of dull and gray instead of that rich amber you get from old-school bulbs. In my experience, Philips’ Warm Glow line does a decent job, but even then, it’s not quite the same as incandescent. The flicker thing is real, too. It’s often a combination of the bulb and the dimmer switch. Some older dimmers just aren’t compatible with LEDs, even if they claim to be. I’ve had clients swap out their dimmers for LED-specific ones and it usually helps, but not always.
Out of curiosity, are you using any smart bulbs? I’ve noticed some of those have better color tuning but can be a pain to set up or control if you’re not into the whole app ecosystem. Also, do you find the difference in color temperature more noticeable in certain rooms? Bedrooms and living rooms seem to highlight it more than kitchens or bathrooms in my projects...
I get what you’re saying about the color, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with some of the newer filament-style LEDs. They’re not perfect, but in a few projects, especially in dining rooms, they’ve given off that cozy glow people want. The “smart” bulbs are cool for color tuning, but I’ve found most clients just want to flip a switch and not mess with apps or voice controls. Kitchens seem more forgiving—maybe because you want brighter, whiter light there anyway. Bedrooms though, yeah, it’s tricky... sometimes I’ll still spec an incandescent for a bedside lamp if the client’s picky about ambiance.