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Integrated LEDs have become popular hence they improve the lighting in your home or office by providing incredibly bright and consistent lighting while reducing energy consumption efficiently. So, what is an integrated LED light, and considering whether it is a smart lighting option for your spaces, this article can help strengthen your decision.
As the words “integrated LED” suggest, Integrated LED lights are lighting fixtures that have the LED light source built directly into the design - built-in LED chips. In comparison, a common lighting fixture has a place for bulbs to screw in or change out.
The built-in LED design gives integrated lighting fixtures a sleek and modern aesthetic appearance and suits specific applications. Some popular integrated LED lighting fixtures include track lights, downlights, spotlights, bulkheads, floodlights, battens, high-bays, and panels.
To get in-depth knowledge about what an integrated LED light is, it's important to make the distinction between integrated LED lights and other types of lighting.
Although both integrated and non-integrated LEDs take advantage of LED lighting technology, the noticeable distinction between them is that instead of using a separate, replaceable bulb, integrated LED bulbs are essentially built into the lighting unit and are inseparable.
However, some integrated LED lighting fixtures enable additional advantages such as replacing PCB boards that act as a “bulb” so you don’t have to replace the whole fixture to fix the malfunctioning one.
Similarly to non-integrated LED lights, other traditional lighting options feature separate replaceable screw-in bulbs, which can be removed and replaced independently. Integrated LED lights are different, they are seamlessly integrated into the lighting fixtures.
Compared to incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, where light is produced by heating a filament and loses 90% of energy due to thermal radiation, Integrated LED bulbs are more energy efficient and require less energy to generate the same amount of light. For example, LED bulbs use only 6 - 8 watts to emit 900 lumens while incandescent bulbs consume up to 60 watts.
Conversely, integrated LED lights have a higher upfront cost but are a more cost-effective solution than other traditional lights such as CFLs and HIDs.
Generally, integrated LED lighting is also a type of LED lamp that utilizes the same technology as LEDs - light-emitting diodes.
However, the diodes inside integrated LEDs built into the light fitting can connect directly to low- or line-volt electrical power systems. When an electric current runs into the lighting fixture, the LED microchips get the energy almost immediately and produce light.
Consider the pros and cons of integrated LED lights and see how they can affect your choice:
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Let’s see what you receive in return when choosing Integrated LED lights, their outstanding characteristics won’t let you down.
1. Energy efficiency
Inherited from LED technology, this lighting solution consumes lower wattages while generating better quality illumination which is highly energy-efficient compared to traditional lighting. Following the 2024 recognition by the Integrated Lighting Campaign, integrated LEDs can reduce energy consumption from 50% to 70%. In the long run, it’s a friendly lighting option for your wallet and environment.
2. Durability
Besides incredible energy efficiency, integrated LED lighting’s sustainability is impressive. They are commonly designed to be resistant to water and humidity, vibrations, and shocks, which are ideal lighting solutions for outdoor environments, commercial settings, and industrial applications.
3. Longevity
Due to the installation design, the lifespan of integrated LED light is remarkably long, lasting up to 25,000 - 50,000 hours or more. Compared with Incandescent bulbs which can last approximately 1,000 hours and the 8,000 to 15,000-hour lifespan of CFLs, integrated LEDs are a smart choice. Therefore, maintenance and replacement costs are lower than traditional screw-in bulbs.
4. Design flexibility
Contrary to traditional light fixtures with bulky sockets and wiring, integrated LED lights allow for a seamless, low-profile, slim, and modern appearance. This feature supports the possibilities for endless creative designs with many styles and color temperatures that are incorporated into various spaces.
5. Low maintenance cost
Investing in integrated LED lights means you can save money on replacements and energy bills in the long run thanks to their longevity and improved heat dissipation. Therefore, these integrated LED lights are better than conventional screw-in LED bulbs, also support their longer lifetimes.
6. Better heat dissipation
The boards that the diodes are installed on can direct any excess heat away from the LEDs and spread it across a wider area. In addition, integrated LED light fixtures are equipped with an advanced heat sink to allow for even better temperature control This feature contributes to the longer life span and ensures LEDs are safe to use, especially when LED lighting works all night.
8. Eco-friendliness
According to the IMERC fact sheet - mercury use in lighting report in 2015, integrated LED lights do not contain any hazardous materials such as mercury, so you don't have to be afraid of spreading mercury to the environment. LEDs are very eco-friendly but also need disposal and recycling in the right way to reduce waste.
8. Waste reduction
Opting for integrated LED light is an effective way to reduce waste since this lighting type lasts much longer than others and doesn’t require replacement bulbs. Besides, unlike halogen or CFLs, LEDs don't have any dangerous components and can be recycled to get a new life cycle.
9. Directional and versatile lighting
Generating directional illumination, and leading the light beam to shine in specific areas, integrated LED lights are glare-free, good for eye health, and suitable for task lighting, accent lighting, and recessed downlights.
Integrated LED lights are such an innovative advancement in lighting technology, they are compatible with dimmer switches or incorporate smart home features. The versatile lighting allows you to easily change the lighting effect as your desired lighting needs to create the space’s ambiance to suit you.
10. Simple installation
Integrated LED light installation is a straightforward process because integrated LED lighting fixtures don’t require additional equipment such as transformers or ballasts so there’s no need for rewiring and quite simple to install.
Coming along with amazing advantages, integrated LED lights have some downsides to consider.
1. High upfront costs
You need to pay a costly initial investment since the price for an integrated LED lighting fixture is often higher than other normal lighting solutions. Moreover, due to the complex installation, guessing that you already expect higher upfront costs when choosing integrated LED lights. For instance, a conventional ceiling light costs around $50-70, while an integrated LED ceiling light costs around $110-350.
2. Compatibility
Integrated LEDs are a new technology, sometimes they experience some challenges with older electrical systems or non-compatible dimmers, leading to flickering, buzzing, or electrical risks. With their specific electrical characteristics, integrated LEDs need exclusive design dimmers for them.
3. Difficulty in replacing and upgrading
Lighting technologies are progressing year over year but integrated LED lights most likely have to be replaced entirely to upgrade. Besides, not all integrated LED lamps are equipped with PCB replacing boards, if the integrated LED lamps malfunction, you have to replace the entire lighting fixture.
4. Heat sensitivity
Heat build-up can affect integrated LEDs’ performance because this lighting type is comparatively sensitive to heat. When putting integrated LEDs in a high high-temperature environment, they probably do not maintain a stable lighting function.
Integrated LED lights are preferred these days and highly applicable thanks to versatile designs, energy efficiency, and long lifespan. Here are some common applications.
Ceiling lights
Integrated LED lights for ceilings come in a wide range of designs that accommodate many styles from bold to subtle, and play an important role in both functional illumination and aesthetic appeals of spaces. Integrated LEDs can be found in pendants, mini pendants, multiple pendants, flush mounts, semi-flush mounts, and monoprints.
Wall Lights
Wall-mounted lights using integrated LEDs emit glare-free illumination from overhead light. This is beneficial to add a bit of ambiance to a living room, create the perfect touch to your bathroom, or provide reading visibility while maintaining a comfortable evening ambiance for the bedroom.
Under-cabinet lights
To enhance visibility and safety for under cabinet areas, illuminating kitchen counters with integrated LED lighting is a great solution. Some integrated LED lighting options for under cabinets are LED strips and tape, bar lights, and puck and button lights.
Recessed lighting
Recessed integrated LED fixtures installed directly into a ceiling, wall, or ground add a functional, modern look to spaces with their virtually smooth appearance. Some common applications include recessed downlights, multiple recessed lights, and linear recessed lights.
Decorative fixtures
Integrated LEDs offer plenty of choices, suitable for both minimalist or less minimalist tastes, the styles range from sleek and understated to bold and attention-grabbing, bringing modern and minimalist beauty.
Office spaces
The high-quality illumination of integrated LEDs is beneficial for office lighting because they light up the working environment at a comfortable level of lighting, improving eye health for all employees, and boosting energy and productivity. Further to that, the considerable energy efficiency and low maintenance costs keep operating costs and utility costs down.
High bay
Similar to office lighting, high-bay integrated LED lights create wide beam angles and ensure a well-lit working environment for everyone to work safely and effectively. Many integrated LED light fixtures are also available with motion-sensing options, further reducing unnecessary energy usage. In the long term, these integrated LED high bay lights keep the cost down.
Integrated LED lights are ideal for public and urban space lighting such as the facade of a building, walkway, landscape lighting, streetlights, and driveway.
To make sure your money is spent in the right way, it’s crucial to choose the right integrated LED lights to suit your needs. Here are some factors that need to be under consideration:
Related Article: Full Spectrum Light Bulb vs. Daylight Lighting
Overall, integrated LED lights have significant benefits such as energy efficiency, long life spans, bright output, and environmental-friendliness. For those reasons, integrated LED lights are a worthy investment.
Hope after reading this “What is an integrated LED light”, you will no longer hesitate when it comes to choosing between integrated LED lights and other lighting options.
Integrated LED lights feature built-in LEDs while LED bulbs are separate and replaceable. In addition, integrated LEDs have a longer life span and higher upfront cost.
No. Considered a drawback, it’s quite clear that an integrated LED bulb is irreplaceable because the bulb is already “integrated” into the lighting fixture. You should swap out the malfunctioning bulb rather than trying to fix it.
Commonly 25,000 to 50,000 hours. However, the longevity also depends on how the lighting fixture is used, environmental conditions, and the quality of the components.
Commonly related to electrical, compatibility, or component issues such as voltage fluctuations, faulty or incompatible dimmers, poor electrical connections, overloaded circuits, aging or faulty LEDs, and manufacturing defects.
Many integrated LED lights offer dimming capabilities that enable them to be adjustable in brightness, depending on the specific model and installation. However, some may not have this function.
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