LED lights are becoming a popular choice for lighting garage spaces. LED or light emitting diode lights use very little electricity and last much longer than traditional light bulbs. LED garage lights come in different styles like strip lights, downlights, and floodlights to suit different lighting needs in the garage.
Timmy’s father was fed up with changing the garage light bulbs every few months. The bulbs seemed to burn out very quickly and it was becoming very expensive. One day, Timmy suggested trying the new LED garage lights that he had seen being advertised on tv. His father was skeptical at first but decided to give them a try hoping it would save him money in the long run.
This article will give more details on LED garage lights. We’ll look at the kinds available, what they’re used for and their benefits. Plus what to think about when choosing. By the end you’ll learn about LED lighting for garages and be able to pick the right ones for your own.
Types Of LED Garage Lights
Here are the some important types of LED garage lights:
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights are thin, flexible strips of LEDs that can be arranged along walls, cabinets or other surfaces in the garage. They provide soft, ambient lighting and work well for lighting up large garage spaces.
- Easy to install: LED strip lights come with adhesive backing so they can be easily stuck along surfaces. Some even allow for cutting at certain points for custom arrangements.
- Variety of colors: Many LED strip light kits allow choosing from different LED colors or having colors that change for visual interest. Some even sync up with music.
- Remote Control: Some LED strip lights come with remote controls for features like dimming the brightness or changing the colors. This allows controlling the lights without needing to get up.
LED Downlights
Downlights, also called recessed lights, are fixtures installed into the ceiling with the lighting directed downwards.
- Bright task lighting: As the light shines down, downlights provide focused, bright lighting ideal for tasks needing more light like working on vehicles or projects.
- Directional lighting: Downlights light up only the intended area below without wasting light to other parts of the garage.
-Easy installation: Special trims and housings allow for clean installations into the ceiling surface. Just requires basic wiring and ceiling cutting.
LED Flushmount Lights
Flushmount lights mount flush against the ceiling surface instead of recessed.
- Surface mounting: Since they mount on the ceiling surface rather than needing recessed housings, flushmounts have a simpler installation process than downlights.
- Low profile design: Flushmounts provide bright lighting with minimal bulk protruding from the ceiling, keeping a neat appearance.
-Ideal for garages with finished ceilings: If the ceiling does not allow cutting holes, flushmounts provide an alternative to downlights.
LED Floodlights
Floodlights are bright, outdoor rated lights ideal for illuminating large areas outside or inside the garage.
- Motion activation: Many LED floodlights come with motion sensors that automatically turn the lights on when movement is detected, saving energy.
- -Weather resistance: Due to their outdoor capabilities, floodlights can withstand moisture for non-covered garages subjected to weather.
- -Long range lighting: With high lumen outputs, floodlights provide powerful lighting over long distances, perfect for driveways and exteriors.
Key Benefits Of LED Garage Lights
- Durability: LEDs have no filaments or fragile components that can burn out like traditional light bulbs. They are shock resistant for years of reliable performance.
- Long lifespan: Estimated at over 20,000 hours of use, LEDs last 5-10 times longer than traditional lights before needing replacement. Big savings over the years.
- Energy efficiency: LEDs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent and 50% less than CFL bulbs. Huge cost savings on electricity bills.
- Instant on: LEDs illuminate instantly at full brightness without any warm-up time, an advantage over lamps needing time to reach full light output.
- Cool operation: LEDs run much cooler to the touch than other lighting types, reducing fire hazards and making them safer choices for garages.
- Directional lighting: Options like downlights shine light only where needed instead of wasted illumination of empty areas, improving lighting efficiency.
- Easy installation: Most LED fixtures connect with simple screws or plugs and their lightweight designs make for effortless mounting or hanging.
Additional Factors To Consider When Choosing LED Garage Lights
- Style: Whether flushmount, pendant or other design – choose lighting forms based on your space, mounting options and aesthetic preferences.
- Lumens: The light output strength in lumens – higher for tasks, lower for ambient lighting depending on your needs.
- Cost: Expect to pay more upfront than CFL but save on electricity and replacement costs over many years of use.
- Beam angle: Focused light for tasks or softer illumination – check if the spread suits your lighting goals.
- Installation costs: Determine if adding new wiring runs or junction boxes is required for your setup.
- IP (Ingress Protection) rating: Consider moisture and weather protection for non-garage uses like outdoor areas.
- Warranty: Reputable brands back their products – avoid those with no coverage reassurance.
- Mounting: Ensure ease of mounting with included hardware for your ceiling or wall types at planned spots.
What LED Light Is Best For Your Garage?
One LED light that works very well for high ceiling garages is the Hyperlite high bay light. This light is really easy to install because it has a hook on the top so you can just hang it from the ceiling wherever you need light. And it has a long cord coming out of it so you can plug it in without needing any extra wiring. I like that you can make it brighter or dimmer too depending on what you’re doing.
If you just need some light while getting things in and out, you can dim it, or brighten it all the way up if you need both hands free for a project. Hanging it from the ceiling and plugging it in only takes a couple minutes, so it’s a breeze to set up.
FAQ’s
Do LED garage lights use a lot of electricity?
LED lights are special because even if you leave them on for many hours each day, they don’t make the electricity bill very high. This is because LED lights are made in a way that uses very little electricity. So even using the lights for a long time, the electricity bill stays low.
What color temperature should I choose?
Choosing a color temperature between 2700K-3000K gives off a warm white light that is suitable for both task and ambient lighting in the garage without being too bright or yellow.
Can LED lights be installed myself?
Most LED fixtures connect with basic screws or plugs and come with simple instructions, making them easy for DIY installation. More advanced fixtures may require extra electrical wiring skills.
How long do LED garage lights last?
LED garage lights can last over 20 years if used 3 hours a day. Their lifespan is at least 10 times longer than traditional light bulbs.
Final Thoughts
LED lights are a much better choice than regular light bulbs for garages. They use very little electricity so it saves on your electricity bill. LED lights also last a super long time so you don’t have to change them very often, which saves money. There are different types like strip lights, downlights and floodlights that can light up different areas of your garage. Things like strip lights are easy to put up because they stick on.
Other lights like downlights need wiring but provide bright light right where you need it. Choosing the correct LED lights based on your garage will help you save lots of cash in the long run compared to regular light bulbs.
