LED strips are a beautiful and ambience-inducing lighting solution, comprised of numerous tiny LED chips on a circuit board. These multi-faceted lights are available in a range of sizes and specifications and in recent years have increased in popularity in line with our growing motivation to cut our energy usage.
If you're looking to get your hands on some fantastic LED lights whilst also reducing your power consumption, then look no further than eco LED strips. A third of Brits have already turned to LED lighting to save energy. Keep on reading if you want to join the growing eco lighting movement. In this guide:
- Benefits and main uses
- Key things to consider
- Products in the We Love LEDs range
- Frequently asked questions
Benefits and main uses
As well as the general advantages of LED strip lighting such as flexibility and practicality, eco strips enjoy some additional benefits.
Internal applications
Eco LED strip lighting is commonly applied in internal areas. People tend to install them in bedrooms, lounges and kitchens to give their home as ambient or cabinet lighting an impressive and aesthetically pleasing look. But it’s not just homeowners who utilise these lights; bar owners install LED strips to achieve a relaxed atmosphere and wedding planners use them to create an intimate mood during ceremonies and after-parties.
Energy savers can find unique and creative ways to use LED lighting without conjuring up a costly energy bill. An eco LED light strip can be used as discreet lighting in your home or office to achieve perfect ambience, all whilst saving valuable power.
Eco-friendly
All types of LED light are energy-savers in comparison with alternative bulbs such as incandescent and fluorescent. They have a longer lifespan and use less power than a typical bulb, being approximately 80% more energy efficient. Amazingly, eco LED strip lights are more environmentally friendly as they are designed for economy and use far less power than standard LEDs. By opting for eco LED strips, you'll end up wasting less energy.
Any environmentalists will be pleased to know that the materials used to manufacture LED strip lights are non-toxic, unlike fluorescent bulbs. If you dispose of a strip, then no harmful chemicals like mercury will leach out and begin to wreak havoc on nearby ecosystems.
Long lifespan
The lifespan of the light is a crucial element that buyers take into consideration. Eco LED strips have a desirable lifespan of up to 30,000 hours; in comparison, an incandescent bulb will have a lifespan of around 750-2,000 hours.
Key things to consider
IP rating
The Ingress Protection (IP) rating refers to how much a light can withstand damage. It is categorised by two numbers: the first indicates resistance against solids, the second refers to resistance against liquids. The greater the number, the great the level of protection.
When deciding on an IP rating, it's essential to consider where you will install the lights and how you will use them. For example, if you were planning to fix an LED strip light in a swimming pool, you would require an IP65-rated strip which would be splash and water-resistant. An IP20-rated light would be completely wrong for this application as it would offer no defence against water.
The Eco 60 LED 12v strip has an IP20 rating, meaning it is suited to indoor use only for dry rooms. It will offer dust and basic touch protection, but no protection from liquids.
Application size and length of strip
Before setting up Eco LED lighting, it's worth measuring the location where you wish to install them. Doing so will give you a rough idea of the length you need, and will prevent you from purchasing unnecessary quantities of LEDs. If you are making a custom-length strip by cutting the strips to a specific size, make sure you identify the cut lines first and only cut at these points: on our Eco 60 strips, these are every three LEDs (approx. every 50mm).
Products in the We Love LEDs range
A great choice of sustainable lighting is the Eco 60 LED strip in 12v. Dimmable with a width of 8mm and a height of 2.5mm, a lifespan of 30,000 hours and an IP20 rating, it is the perfect combination of practicality, flexibility and efficiency for internal applications. It is available in pure and warm white and comes with a 12-month warranty.
As mentioned earlier, many LED strip lights are considered eco-friendly as they are a much more energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubing. A sustainable choice for external use is the Water Resistant 60 LED Strip in 12v, which is splash and water-resistant (but not waterproof) with an IP65 rating so is suitable for installation in gardens and other places where moisture is likely such as kitchens and bathrooms. Read more about our water-resistant LED strips here.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to leave LED lights on?
Leaving LED lights on will still consume energy, but when it comes to the lifetime of LED lights, switching them on and off has no negative effect, unlike traditional lightbulbs which can wear out quicker. LEDs remain completely unaffected whether you leave them on or switch them off routinely, thus making them pro-energy savers.
Is LED light bad for your skin?
You needn't worry about LED lights damaging your skin as the lights contain no UV rays whatsoever, so are perfectly safe to use. Interestingly, there is some emerging evidence to suggest that LED light skin therapy devices can reverse wrinkles, redness and scarring—but this is not conclusive.
Why do LED lights dim?
For the most part, LEDs are long-lasting powerful lights that do not lose their performance suddenly but instead decline gradually as the lights slowly decrease in brightness over time. If you try to light 12v goods with a 24v PSU, they will initially illuminate but quickly burn out. If you try to light 24v goods with a 12v they will not work. Read more about LED strip voltage options here.
