Frequently Asked Questions
The best resource we could possibly have is our customers. Throughout the years LED Lights Canada has fielded thousands of phone calls and e-mails. All from our customers and potential buyers who inquire about the products we sell and how to install them. We have listed the most common questions we receive in this section as a reference for you.
This is a living document and is changing all the time. As questions repeat a few times we add them to the list of FAQs. To help you sort through the new world of LED lighting we have listed these questions in two categories, LED Replacement Bulbs and Low Voltage LEDs.
If you have anything you feel should be added to this list please let us know and your question and answer can become part of this resource. We don’t always have all the answers but we do know where to go to find them.
If you would like to ask your question to one of our LED Lighting specialists, call or email us!
FAQ’s – LED Replacement Bulbs
There are always a lot of questions about LED replacement bulbs and how they work. We have compiled a list of the questions we get asked most often and hope you find this useful in helping to make the decision to convert to LED bulbs.
Q: How do I convert my existing fixture to an LED fixture?
A: It is as easy as changing the bulb. If you are using a halogen, CFL or incandescent bulbs in your existing recessed lights (pot lights) or track lights or lamps you can just change the bulb to an LED equivalent. LED 120V AC bulbs are available with a standard E26 screw type base or a GU10 or a MR16 base. A PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 LED bulb is the same dimensional size as its traditional style counterpart. A LED GU10 may be slightly longer than the halogen it is replacing. This is never an issue with a recessed pot light but may cause a concern if you have a track light with a ring that fits over the face of the bulb to hold it in. Many are adjustable but some are not.
Q: Is it true that there is no heat with an LED bulb?
A: This is a common misconception about LED lights. It is true that an LED bulb runs significantly cooler than a halogen or an incandescent bulb. An LED bulb projects very little heat forward. If the bulb was lit for 24 hours you could touch the face of the bulb and it would just be warm. You will not be standing under an LED light and feel the heat on your head. Some but NOT all LED bulbs are approved for use in a totally enclosed fixture. This is a feature you should look for when you are buying bulbs that will be enclosed.
Q: Why are LED replacements more expensive than other types of bulbs?
A: There is a lot of solid state technology inside the bulb. All LED chips are low voltage so an AC style replacement bulb has a driver built into the bulb, to convert AC to DC. In addition, if the bulb is dimmable there are additional circuits to make the bulbs dimmable. The good news is that is installed in a pot light or track light with enough ventilation to keep the bulb at normal temperatures the LED replacement bulbs will last many times longer than all the other types of bulb. This means you will not be replacing bulbs as often so over the life of the bulb the cost is actually not much more than what you are paying now.
Q: Are there limitations to LED replacement bulbs?
A: In our opinion, there are limitations to all products. The key is finding the proper replacement bulb to fit the application. Early on LED replacements were best suited for spotlighting or downlighting. As the technology matured two very important things happened. First the lights today can produce more light than they could just a few years ago. The other significant change was in the light spread.
As the angle increased LEDs were able to provide acceptable light in more applications. A good example would be our pot light inserts which have a 120 degree light spread eliminating “circles” on your floor. The most popular bulb sold is our A19, 60W replacement bulb. Producing 800+ lumens with a 360 degree light spread makes this bulb a true replacement for a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
In Canada, we have another hurdle to face. Line voltage 120V AC replacement LED bulbs must have the proper legal electrical certifications. Please be cautious and remember that just because it is available in the US does not mean it is approved for use in our country. Line voltage products in Canada must carry either CSA, cETL or cUL certification. Just CE certification is not accepted for use in Canada for line voltage products. Caution should also be used when buying directly from China. If the price seems too good to pass up there is usually a reason.
Q: How can a company claim to be selling a 60W replacement bulb that produces less than 800 lumens?
A: In Canada, we currently lack any kind of required specifications in order to make a claim about light output. Hopefully, this will change in time. We can tell you that to be a true replacement for a 60W bulb an LED must produce 800 lumens. A replacement for a 100W bulb must produce 1600 lumens, This number is set by the US Energy Star program and serves as a reliable guideline.
Q: Is there a warm-up period for the LED bulb to reach its full brightness?
A: No! Unlike CFL bulbs, LED bulbs to turn on at full power without any warm up.
Q: Do LED bulbs have to go to the ECO Centre for disposal as CFL bulbs do?
A: NO…LED bulbs are made of fully recyclable materials and are non-toxic to people and to the environment. They do not contain any mercury.