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LED Fundamentals

What LED lights are, how they work, and how they're made.

17 Articles

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What Is LED Lighting? How It Works, Simply Explained
PILLAR GUIDE

What Is LED Lighting? How It Works, Simply Explained

One bulb technology quietly replaced the light that lit homes for a century. Here's what LED lighting is, and why it won so fast.

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16 articles
What Are Integrated LED Lights? No Bulb to Change
LED Fundamentals

What Are Integrated LED Lights? No Bulb to Change

When one of these finally dies, you can't just twist in a new bulb, the whole fixture goes. Here's why manufacturers built it that way.

5 min readSep 15
What Are LED Light Bulbs? Picking the Right One
LED Fundamentals

What Are LED Light Bulbs? Picking the Right One

LED light bulbs come in dozens of shapes and specs, and picking the wrong one is the top reason people end up with flicker or the wrong light. Here's how to choose right.

6 min readSep 10
What Is a COB LED Light? Chip-on-Board Explained
LED Fundamentals

What Is a COB LED Light? Chip-on-Board Explained

Two lights can look identical and cost the same, but one throws harsh shadows and the other doesn't. Here's what actually separates them.

6 min readSep 10
How to Dispose of LED Bulbs (It's Easier Than You Think)
LED Fundamentals

How to Dispose of LED Bulbs (It's Easier Than You Think)

LED light bulbs can go in regular household trash in most areas since they contain no mercury. For eco-friendly disposal, recycle them at Home Depot, Lowe

5 min readAug 28
How Do LED Lights Work? The Science Made Simple
LED Fundamentals

How Do LED Lights Work? The Science Made Simple

Ever wonder how LED lights work? They make light in a way old bulbs never could, straight from electricity, with almost no heat. Here's the simple science.

5 min readAug 26
Do LED Lights Save Money? Real Numbers
LED Fundamentals

Do LED Lights Save Money? Real Numbers

Yes. They use up to 85% less power and last far longer. See the real yearly savings, payback time, and whole-home numbers.

5 min readAug 4
Why Are My LED Lights Different Colors? Causes & Fixes
LED Fundamentals

Why Are My LED Lights Different Colors? Causes & Fixes

Fix LED lights that show different colors. Learn the 6 common causes, from voltage drop to mismatched bulbs, and the simple fix for each.

5 min readAug 2
Can LED Lights Cause a Fire? Facts and Safety Tips
LED Fundamentals

Can LED Lights Cause a Fire? Facts and Safety Tips

The risk is very low, but cheap drivers, bad wiring, enclosed fixtures, and power surges can make LEDs unsafe. Here's how.

5 min readJul 28
What Is an SMD LED? A Comprehensive Guide
LED Fundamentals

What Is an SMD LED? A Comprehensive Guide

What is an SMD LED? It's the surface-mounted chip inside most strips and bulbs. Learn what 2835, 3528, and 5050 mean, and SMD vs COB.

6 min readJul 25
How to Make Rose Gold on LED Lights (Without the Muddy Pink)
LED Fundamentals

How to Make Rose Gold on LED Lights (Without the Muddy Pink)

To make rose gold on LED lights: set a warm pink (RGB 255,160,150 / #FFA096), dim to about 50%, and diffuse it for a soft, coppery-pink glow.

9 min readJun 11
How to Make Golden Hour on LED Lights
LED Fundamentals

How to Make Golden Hour on LED Lights

How to make golden hour on LED lights: set a warm 2,700K (or RGB 241,180,87), dim to 30-50%, diffuse it, and angle it low. Full step-by-step guide inside.

12 min readJun 9
What Is an LED Light Driver, and Why It Matters Most
LED Fundamentals

What Is an LED Light Driver, and Why It Matters Most

Learn how LED drivers convert AC to DC power, the difference between constant-current and constant-voltage types, and how to pick the right one.

15 min readMay 22
What Bugs Are Attracted to LED Lights
LED Fundamentals

What Bugs Are Attracted to LED Lights

LED lights attract fewer bugs than incandescent or fluorescent due to less UV. Warm-white 2700K LEDs attract the fewest insects.

10 min readMay 3
Why Can't We Have Black LED Lights?
LED Fundamentals

Why Can't We Have Black LED Lights?

A "black LED" is physically impossible since darkness is the absence of photons. UV-A LEDs (365-395nm) create the classic black light glow effect.

10 min readApr 23
What Is CRI in LED Lighting? (Simple Guide)
LED Fundamentals

What Is CRI in LED Lighting? (Simple Guide)

CRI measures how accurately LEDs reveal true colors versus sunlight. CRI 90+ is ideal for homes, while CRI 80 is the minimum for general use.

10 min readApr 22
What Does LED Stand For? Light Emitting Diode Explained
LED Fundamentals

What Does LED Stand For? Light Emitting Diode Explained

Learn what LED stands for and how Light Emitting Diodes work to produce energy-efficient, long-lasting light.

4 min readApr 14