How to choose high quality LED lamp?

Until the start of this decade, the majority of people hadn’t put much thought into what kind of lamps they should buy. Standard incandescent lamps dominated the market and people only needed to take into consideration the wattage. Today, the situation has changed significantly – there are numerous energy-saving lamps on the market. So how to know which is the right one to buy?

The majority of energy-saving lighting solutions are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED lamps. Compared to LED lamps, CFLs last about 3 times less, reach full luminosity slower, and are more sensitive to frequent turning on and off. Therefore, LED lamps are undoubtedly the most efficient lighting solution today. However, buyers are often deterred by their high price, as on average an LED lamp costs LTL 20–30. If one decides to replace all the lamps in one’s home, the total amount can turn out to be quite significant. So what are the things to consider when buying a quality LED lamp that will definitely pay off?

The quality of an LED lamp depends on three factors. First: a quality light-emitting diode crystal. This consists of semiconductors that emit light when an electric current passes through them. The quality of this crystal determines an LED lamp’s lifespan. If the crystal is of poor quality, the lamp will burn out much faster.

The second, but equally important factor is proper cooling. The materials, shape, and connective elements of an LED lamp's casing have to be properly selected and assembled to ensure the sufficient cooling of the crystal. If an LED lamp's casing is improperly manufactured, even the best crystal inside won't make much difference.

And the third crucial factor is a proper power supply. This ensures that an LED lamp will last a long time and prevents its light-emitting diodes from flickering. If any of the aforementioned elements are of poor quality, the lamp may be cheaper, but it won't last as indicated – that is for 30,000–40,000 hours.

But how can an everyday user know if quality components have been used in the manufacturing of an LED lamp? Darius Serba, LED Production Manager at ACME Europe, indicates a few key questions to ask a vendor in order to determine the quality of an LED lamp. When buying an LED lamp, you should make sure that its diodes comply with LM-80 and Energy Star standards and have a CE certificate. Also, enquire about the warranty period ‒ buying LED lamps with a warranty period less than 3 years is not recommended.

Two years ago, ACME Europe began manufacturing some of its LED lamps in Lithuania. “It is easier to control the quality of lamps this way. We have qualified engineers with years of experience in the field of manufacturing LED lamps. By manufacturing in Lithuania, we can select quality components and control their assembly processes better and perform quality tests more frequently,” Serba says.

With the implementation of the European Union's energy efficiency directives, in 2009 the number of LED lamp manufacturers in Lithuania started to increase. They often offer quality products, competitive prices, and more convenient warranty services. On 24–27 April, the 21st international construction and repair works exhibition, RESTA 2014, will take place. A number of Lithuanian LED lamp manufacturers will participate and present the latest trends in this business.