Are your electricity bills through the roof? Are your Incandescent bulbs burning a hole in your pocket? If yes, then it’s time to ditch the IB's and switch to LED downlights, because not only are they more cost effective, they are also excellent energy savers.

The LED Downlights have made significant technological advances, then their previous counterparts, that brightened the homes of the last few generations. Choosing the right LED downlight is vital as there are many options available in the market and you should choose what’s right for your home and your power needs.

Some important points to keep in mind:

1. Contrary to popular beliefs, Watts aren’t a measure of brightness but how much energy the bulb uses. The lumen (lm) is the actual measurement of brightness provided by a light bulb and that is what you should look for when shopping for your LED downlights.

2. Choosing the right colour of lighting to match the colour palette of your home is another thing you should remember. The LED downlights come with an exciting array of colors to choose from. However, the most popular choice of color for LEDs are; Warm White, Soft White and Bright White.

3. Beam angle refers to the spread of light from the light source. You can choose LEDs that have a wider spread of light to suit your needs. You can also opt for accent lighting, like LED downlights that have a more concentrated spread of light, such as LED bathroom downlights and LED kitchen downlights. Besides accent lighting, LED downlights are also well suited for task areas that require concentrated light, like your office space or your dressing room.

4. Calculated placement of LED downlights is important to achieve the preferred results. Ideally, the size of the LED fixture determines spacing between two bulbs. You should avoid placing downlights too close together or in straight rows, as this can create a trembling effect. For a well-balanced and proportionate appearance, place larger LEDs for rooms with high ceilings and smaller LEDs for rooms with low ceilings.

5. At times, LED downlights are not compatible with your standard wall-switch dimmers and though universal dimmers are available, they are not guaranteed to operate all LEDs. Respectable brands provide compatibility charts, which list reliable dimmer brands, compatible with their LEDs. Dimmable LED downlights are now available. It should be marked on the product packaging.