Lighting Council Australia LED Buyers Guide

LED Buyers Guide Save energy, time and money with the right LED purchase

Save energy, time and money with the right LED purchase This guide has been prepared to educate and assist consumers select safe, suitable, good quality LED lighting products.LED lamps 1  and fittings (LEDs) are quickly gaining popularity in household use and there are some excellent LED  products available now in Australia. However, examination of LED products found in the Australian market indicates a  wide variation in product safety, quality, effectiveness and compatibility. Low quality LEDs may be unsafe, not provide  sufficient light, flicker when dimmed, change colour over time, fail prematurely, or not fit into an existing fitting.LEDs produce similar light output to traditional incandescent and halogen lamps and use much less energy.  Incandescent and halogen lamps waste most of the energy they use as heat when they produce light. LEDs are comparable to the most efficient technologies available and even though more expensive initially will save  money and time over their lifetime as they have a long lifetime, use very little energy and do not require regular  replacement like halogen lamps. Some LEDs are able to be dimmed or offer convenient features such as daylight harvesting 2 , motion sensing and  wireless control. Coloured lighting effects are available with some LEDs. If you decide to update your existing lighting, you have the option of choosing:   New LED Lamps  New LED Downlight Fitting 3       Compliance with regulations The Regulatory Compliance Mark 4  (RCM) is an important safety mark from Australia’s electrical safety and electro- magnetic compatibility regulators and should be visible on the product.  In addition, the brand must be registered  on the  Australian Government National Equipment Registration System . Unregistered brands and suppliers may be  supplying equipment that does not meet Australian standards and regulations. 1.  Sometimes called ‘light globes’ or ‘light bulbs’, but more correctly referred to as ‘lamps’.  2.   Daylight harvesting refers to LEDs that automatically adjust their light level depending on the natural light entering a room to  maintain an even light level.   3.  A licensed electrician is required to install new fittings. 4.   The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) demonstrates that the product manufacturer recognises and declares their product meets  the Australian electrical safety and electro-magnetic compatibility requirements. Marking requirements are currently in transition  and suppliers have until 1 March 2018 for products to be marked.

Brightness (think lumens, not Watts) When buying new LEDs, you should check the lumen output of each LED lamp or fitting to make sure you obtain the  brightness you need. Lumens, which are a measure of total light output, should be listed on the product packaging.   Higher lumens mean brighter light. The following comparison chart will help you find a suitable replacement.   Traditional incandescent lamp (Watts)  Brightness in lumens   100W  1350 lumens   75W  930 lumens   60W  720 lumens   40W  420 lumens   Downlight lamps – MR16 type (Watts)  Brightness in lumens (approximate)   50W##  700 lumens   35W  450 lumens   Downlight lamps – GU10 type (Watts)  Brightness in lumens (approximate)   50W  350 lumens Beam angle The angle of the beam of light emitted from the lamp or fitting can be important for your application. Check to see  if you require a wide or narrow beam angle. A wider beam angle gives a more even spread of light and a beam angle  of 60o or more is recommended for general lighting from downlights. A narrow beam angle can result in bright  spots and shadowing which is not usually desired. However, a narrow beam can be suitable for highlighting a picture,  display piece or other feature.    Lamp efficiency Even though LEDs are a very efficient lighting technology, the efficiency of various LEDs can vary considerably. Lumens  per Watt (lm/W) is the measure of LED efficiency and the higher the number, the more efficient the product.  Colour temperature and colour rendering Personal preference and use dictates choice of LED colour temperature.•   Warm white light is shown as 2700K to 3000K, is close to traditional incandescent and halogen lamp colour and is  typically used in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways to create relaxed, warm ambience. •   Cool white light is shown as 4000K and is typically used in the kitchen, study, bathroom, cupboard, office (for  alertness) and retail displays. •   Cool daylight white light is shown as 6500K and is typically used in commercial applications, hospitals, retail displays  and art studios. The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of a lamp or fitting is a measure of a light source’s ability to show object colours  realistically or naturally. A CRI of 80 or above should be sought. Compatibility Check the fitting type, size, beam angle and dimming compatibility of your new LEDs.•   Take an old lamp to compare with the new LED. Check the type and size  of the base, beam angle, voltage, overall size and shape of the lamp. Some  LED replacement lamps are larger than traditional lamps and may not be  compatible with some fittings. ## 50W downlight lamps are no longer available for purchase but may still be in use.

•   When buying complete downlight replacement kits you will need to know the hole cut out size. Shop around until   you find the right sized LED replacement fitting. •   LED lamps and downlights are now available to replace halogen lamps and 35W halogen downlights.•  Look for LEDs of around 450 - 500 lumens to achieve similar results to your 35W halogen downlights.•   Make sure that LED downlight replacement fittings come with a matching power supply (also known as a driver).   Some will claim to operate on existing halogen transformers but such claims should be treated with caution especially  where compatibility with existing dimmers is required. •   Dimmable LED lamps, fittings and downlights are now available. “Dimmable” should be marked on the product  packaging.   •   Compatibility between existing wall switch dimmers and dimmable LED lamps, fittings or downlights cannot be  guaranteed. Universal dimmers are available but even these are not guaranteed to operate all LEDs. Reputable brands  provide compatibility charts that list the popular dimmers compatible with their LEDs. Most installed dimmers were  originally designed to dim low voltage halogen lamps and it is unlikely that these old dimmers will dim LED lamps in   a similar way. Check with the LED supplier for a list of dimmers compatible with their LEDs. Lighting tips Follow these tips to keep your lighting costs down.•   Switching to LEDs is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cut your energy bills. Switching to LEDs will reduce growth   in Australia’s energy demand and avoid carbon emissions. •  Use task lighting to supplement general lighting when needed. •  Lightly coloured walls appear brighter and better lit than dark surfaces.•  Replace incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lamps with LEDs. •   Turn off lights when rooms are not being used. Some lamps have enabled wireless control from a smart device and   so may be switched on and off from the device.   •   Control outdoor lights with timers, motion sensors or photocells so that lights are not on all night or during the day.   If outdoor lights are used for long periods each night, the use of LEDs in these fixtures can save significant energy. LED  flood lights are available (check the beam angle you require). Wireless control of lamps is now also available.  •   By replacing your five most used incandescent or halogen lamps with LEDS, you can save between $71 and $91 each year 5 . •   LEDs are available in sizes compatible with most fittings and they provide the greatest savings when used in fittings  that are on for the longest periods each day. •   Dimmers save electricity when lower light levels are set. Not all dimmers and dimmable LEDs are compatible. Reputable  LED suppliers provide compatibility charts listing dimmer brands and types.   Quality label for LEDs Lighting Council Australia’s Solid State Lighting Quality Scheme is a third  party, voluntary, industry program providing confidence that an LED product  carrying the scheme’s label (sample shown) matches the performance claims  made by the supplier (energy efficiency, lumens, light output and colour  temperature) and helps consumers understand and compare lamps they are  considering purchasing. Registered products appear on a searchable database  on  Lighting Council’s website .  5   Based on replacing 60W incandescent or 42W halogen lamps with 8W LEDs with  usage averaging 4hrs per day, 25c per kWh, shown in Australian dollars. Luminous Flux    865 lm Luminous Efficacy   58 lm/W INPUT POWER  15 W  TEST VOLTAGE 240V AC Colour Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT)  4000 K  Colour Rendering Index (CRI, Ra)  85 LED Performance Solid State Lighting Luminaire LIGHT COLOUR Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) WARM WHITE COOL WHITE DAYLIGHT Visit www.lightingcouncil.com.au for the Label Reference Guide The specifications above are contained in certified or accredited reports provided to Lighting Council Australia Ltd by the manufacturer/supplier of this product. Lighting Council Australia makes no representation as to the product’s specification or suitability. 2600K 3200K 4500K 6500K Supplier/Product ID: 001/001   Dimmable   Non-dimmable Brand Name: ABC Company [4000K COOL WHITE]

Traditional (old style)  incandescent (60W) 50W halogen lamp## Halogen incandescent (42W) 35W halogen lamp Good quality CFL (10W) Good quality 7W LED  downlight lamp Good quality LED  (8W) Cost comparison (standard lamp type) 6 Average annual operating cost per household lamp     $21.90  $17.88  $5.35  $3.62        For 60W incandescent lamp and replacements, based on 4 hrs/day of usage, 25c per kWh and including the annualised   cost of the lamp (initial cost divided by the lamp life in years) - shown in Australian dollars.      Incandescent lamps (40W – 100W) are no longer available for purchase but may still be in use. Cost comparison (commonly installed downlight lamps ### ) 7   Average annual operating cost per household downlight #     $18.25##  $16.79  $3.43   #   For 35W and 50W halogen downlights and LED replacement, based on 4 hrs/day   of usage, 25c per kWh and including the annualised cost of the lamps   (initial cost divided by the lamp life in years) - shown in Australian dollars.   ##    50W downlight lamps are no longer available for purchase but may still be in use.  ###     Halogen downlights use a great deal of energy including producing a great deal   of heat. Low voltage does not mean low energy use. 6   All information including average market pricing is relevant at the time of  publishing. See appendix A for assumptions and calculations.  7   All information including average market pricing is relevant at the time of  publishing. See appendix A for assumptions and calculations.

Lifetime and warranty There are many factors that determine the lifetime of a LED lamp or fitting including light loss and possible failure of  components. Reputable manufacturer claims are based on rigorous testing and are reliable.  A warranty is a voluntary promise of a manufacturer’s confidence that the product will achieve an expected life. Check  the warranty conditions and note that any warranty offered with a product is in addition to other rights the consumer  may have under the Australian Consumer Law.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission  (www.accc.gov.au)  has information on consumer rights,  guarantees and warranties.  Use electrical contractors to install fittings Apart from lamp replacement, a licensed electrical contractor is required to repair, service or install any light fitting,  driver (power supply) or dimmer that is attached to the 240V mains power. Electrical contractors are responsible for  installation safety and must refuse to install non-compliant products. Installation by unqualified persons can result in  electric shock or fire. Sale and installation of non-compliant products or installation by unqualified persons can result  in electric shock, fire, penalties and fines. About Lighting Council Australia Lighting Council Australia is the peak body for Australia’s lighting industry. Its members include manufacturers and  suppliers of luminaires, lighting control devices, lamps, solid state (LED) lighting and associated technologies. Lighting  Council’s goal is to encourage the use of environmentally appropriate, energy efficient, quality lighting systems.See  http://www.lightingcouncil.com.au/  for more information.   

50W downlight lamp 35W downlight lamp 7W LED downlight lamp Traditional (old style)  incandescent (60W) Halogen incandescent  (42W) Good quality CFL   (10W) Good quality LED   (8W) Appendix A –  Assumptions and calculations for the cost comparison tables Average operating cost per   household light fitting, per year. Standard lamp type Lamp price  (phased out 2009)  $3.50  $7.00  $12 Annual lamp  operating hours  1460      Estimated lamp life  60W incandescent lamps  1.37 (2000hrs)  4.1 (6000hrs)  17.12 in years      are no longer available      (25000hrs) Annual lamp cost    $2.55  $1.70  $0.70 Annual kWh of electricity  87.6kWh  61.32kWh  14.6kWh  11.68kWh Annual cost of electricity  (25c per kWh)  $21.90  $15.33  $3.65  $2.92 Total annual cost    (electricity + lamp)  $21.90   $17.88  $5.35  $3.62 Incandescent lamps (40W - 100W) are no longer available for purchase but may still be in use. Commonly installed downlight lamps Lamp cost  (Phased out 2009)  $5.50  $15 Annual lamp   operating hours  1460 hours Estimated lamp life   50W downlight lamps  in years  are no longer available  1.37 (2000hrs)  17.1 (25000hrs) Annual lamp cost    $4.01  $0.88 Annual kWh of electricity  73kWh  51.1kWh  10.2kWh Annual cost of electricity   (25c per kWh)  $18.25  $12.78  $2.55 Total cost   (electricity + lamp)  $18.25##  $16.79  $3.43 ## 50W downlight lamps are no longer available for purchase but may still be in use.