• What does LED stand for?
• How much energy can I save if I change to LED's?
• Why do I need to change anyway?
• Why haven't I heard of LED's before?
• How much do LED's cost compared to other lights on the market?
• I have heard heat is a problem for LED's? 
• How long do LED's last?
• Will I be able to put my new LED bulb straight into my existing light fittings?
• Will LED's work with existing dimmers?
• Are LED's as bright as normal incandescent bulbs?
• What's the difference between warm white and cool white? 
• Why should I choose LED's over compact fluorescent energy saving bulbs?
• Disposal is a big problem for compact fluorescents, how should LED's be disposed of?
• What are Cree LED's?
• What are the CE and RoHS Certifications?
• Do you offer a warranty?

What does LED stand for?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, an example of solid state lighting.

How much energy can I save if I change to LED's

Of course lights for various purposes will have different specifications but on average an LED will use 1/8th of the power of a standard incandescent bulb.  Most commonly used LED bulbs use between 1 and 7 watts.  Rarely will you see an LED that uses more than 15 watts of power.  This means that in general, LED's use less power than compact fluoro bulbs which are currently being marketed as 'energy saving'.  For a detailed comparison of various forms of lighting visit our comparison table.

Why do I need to change anyway?

In February 2007 the Australian government enacted a law that will ban the sale of most incandescent bulbs by 2010.  Until recently the only alternative we had been given was to use compact fluorescent bulbs which contain hazardous levels of mercury.  LED's are a far cleaner and safer choice.

Why haven't I heard of LED's before?

LED's have been around for decades in our cars and as indicators on electronic devices but their use was limited by manufacturers inability to create a white LED.  Recent developments have made a white LED possible and the LED has since moved ahead in leaps and bounds to the point where we can now offer an LED alternative for any lighting application. Cost had also been a prohibitive factor in popularising LED’s but as you can see from our  prices cost is no longer a concern, particularly when the LED’s long life and energy efficiency are taken into consideration. 

How much do LED's cost compared to other lights on the market?

The price of LED's varies depending on the application and the number, size and quality of LED's included in any one light bulb.  In many cases LED's are available at a price that is comparative to compact fluorescent bulbs.  When considering price, attention should also be given to how much energy LED's save therefore reducing power bills and their extremely long lifespan (up to 50 000 hours). Please refer to our Comparison Table to get a comprehensive guide to the benefits and costs of different types of lighting.

I have heard heat is a problem for LED's?

Yes, heat is an LED's Number 1 enemy.  When too much wattage is pushed through an LED it creates too much heat and the lamp will fail.  This is the reason manufacturers have taken a long time to develop brightness in small bulbs such as a 50W halogen replacement, it is very difficult to create that level of brightness in such a small area without also creating too much heat.  The environment in which the LED bulb is placed can also impact it's lifespan.  Ambient temperatures should be between-20^oC - +45^oC and the bulb should be adequately ventilated to allow any heat generated to dissipate. The surface temperature of an LED will be approximately 50^oC-60^oC which is not too hot to touch but probably too hot to be comfortable holding for long.

How long do LED's last?

LED's may last up to and in many cases beyond 50 000 hours

Will I be able to put my new LED bulb straight into my existing light fittings?

Yes. Our range of LED's comes in a range of bases and sizes to fit most commonly used existing light fittings, with the exception of the Tubelights and G24 bulbs which need to have the starter removed and the ballast bypassed before they can be installed.  This must be done by a qualified electrician in order to retain the warranty on these products.

Will LED's work with existing dimmers?

No, you can't use LED's with existing dimmers.  This is something that manufacturers are working on and we hope to be able to overcome in the future but at the moment using an LED bulb on a circuit which includes a dimmer will void your warranty.

Are LED's as bright as normal incandescent bulbs?

In the past LED's have had a reputation for not being bright enough, you do need to be careful what you are buying and who you are buying them from. Individual LED's can vary greatly in size and quality.  We have personally tested all the LED's we sell on this site and we give an approximate indication of the wattage of the incandescent bulb they are an effective replacement for.  LED light is usually more directional than incandescent light and they do emit a different kind of light to incandescent bulbs, it is recommended that you install them and give yourself a day or two to get used to the different look of the room.  The first time you turn them on the room may feel quite different but you'll find after you've been away and then re-entered the room a couple of times you get used to the new look very quickly. 

What is the difference between warm white and cool white?

Lights come in different 'colour temperatures', warm white is between 2500k and 3500k and has a yellowish glow.  Cool whites are between 5500k and 7000k and contain more blue tones, they are closer to the colour of daylight and are good for concentration. The warm white and cool white descriptions are only a guide to colour within a certain range, different bulbs or different batches of the same bulb may vary in colour within that range. Visit our 'Warm White or Cool White' page for a more detailed explaination.

Why should I choose LED's over compact fluorescent light bulbs?

LEDs' are the superior choice for a multitude of reasons.

• LED's use very little energy, often far less than the compact fluorescent bulbs that are currently being marketed as 'energy saving'. This translates to significant savings on your power bill.
• LED's may last up to and sometimes beyond a staggering 50 000hrs+ which means they can last 10 years even with heavy usage.  This makes them much cheaper than other bulbs in the long term but also saves the time and inconvenience of having to change bulbs regularly, particularly in hard to reach places.
• LED's emit no UV light and are safe for people with health problems that are affected by fluorescent lights.
• LED's produce very little heat, greatly reducing the strain on air conditioning systems and therefore further reducing energy comsumption
• LED's can be retro fitted into most standard lighting fixtures.
• LED's emit no audible buzz that can make fluorescent bulbs very annoying and interfere with radio frequencies.
• LED's are mercury free, they pose no immediate threat if they are broken and they do not require hazardous waste disposal. Compact fluorescents are highly toxic if broken and do require hazardous waste disposal.
• LED's come in a huge range of styles and colours to suit any application.
• LED's are shock and vibration resistant, there are no fragile filaments that can be easily damaged.

Disposal is a big problem for compact fluorescents, how should LED's be disposed of?

Firstly, you shouldn't need to dispose of your LED bulb for at least 10 years!  If a bulb is broken, it poses absolutely no immediate health risk, simply sweep up the pieces and place them in the bin. Landfill is the recommended method of disposal.

What are Cree LED's?

Cree, Inc. is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors that enhance the value of LED solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance.

Many of our products use high quality Cree LED's

What are the CE and RoHS Certifications?

The CE marking is a mandatory European marking for certain product groups to indicate conformity with the essential health and safety requirements set out in European Directives. To permit the use of a CE mark on a product, proof that the item meets the relevant requirements must be documented.

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment".  This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.

Do you offer a warranty?

Yes we do.  All the products sold on this site come with a 12 month warranty on faulty goods.