Electrical
LED Lighting Guide: Lumens, Colour Temperature and Choosing the Right Lights
Short answer
Choose LED lights by lumens (brightness), not watts. A typical household bulb of about 800 lumens uses roughly 8 to 10 watts as an LED. Use warm white (about 2700 to 3000 K) for living areas, neutral white (about 4000 K) for kitchens and offices, and check the colour rendering and brand warranty to avoid cheap lights that fail quickly.
Lumens and watts
| Old incandescent | Approx. brightness | Typical LED equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 40 W | 450 lumens | 4 to 5 W |
| 60 W | 800 lumens | 8 to 10 W |
| 100 W | 1,500 lumens | 14 to 16 W |
Approximate; check the pack for actual lumens.
Colour temperature
- 2700 to 3000 K (warm white): cosy; bedrooms, living rooms.
- 4000 K (neutral): clear and natural; kitchens, offices, shops.
- 5000 to 6500 K (cool daylight): bright and crisp; workshops, garages, security lighting.
How much light do I need?
As a rough guide, homes need around 100 to 200 lumens per square metre in living spaces and more in kitchens and work areas. Offices are commonly designed for roughly 300 to 500 lux at desk level. A lighting design takes room size, height and use into account.
Quality checks
- Reputable brand with a warranty.
- Colour rendering index (CRI) of 80 or higher for homes and shops.
- Stable power supply (driver); cheap drivers fail first.
- Dimmer compatibility if you plan to dim.
- Weatherproof rating (IP65 or higher) for outdoor and bathroom fittings.
Lighting upgrades
Switching to LED is one of the fastest ways to cut electricity use. See our electrical products and how to reduce your bill.
Common questions
Do LED lights save money?
Yes. They use far less power than incandescent lamps and last much longer.
Why do some LEDs flicker?
Poor drivers, incompatible dimmers or unstable supply. Choose quality products and the right dimmer.
What does K mean on a bulb?
Kelvin, the colour temperature. Lower is warmer, higher is cooler.