There is nothing more frustrating than the disappointment of purchasing new lights with the goal of saving money and saving the planet, to find they flicker, pulse, shimmer, strobe, and generally perform badly. Isn't LED lighting supposed to be the electrical revolution that saves uberwatts of electricity, while improving the brightness and quality of our light?  It is and it will, as long as you make informed decisions when you purchase.

Flickering without a dimmer

If you have just purchased some LED fittings and had them installed on a circuit that has a simple switch, and not a dimmer, and you see flickering or strobing; then unfortunately the news isn't good.  It is highly likely that the fittings you have purchased are not good quality, have not been manufactured or tested for Australia, or less likely, your wiring needs to be looked at by a professional. 

There is no good reason for a new LED light on a simple wall switch to flicker or pulse.  Although the LCD (Load Correction Device) fix detailed below may work, in all likelihood you will need to replace the lights. 

Although we at moodLED love the effect dimmers can have on your lighting (read: Dimming for Dummies, 8 Reasons to Dim, Mood lighting through dimming lights), we understand some lighting circuits don’t need to be on a dimmer. The best way to ensure a light doesn't flicker when on a switch, is to use one that performs brilliantly without flickering on a dimmer.  See our range of flicker free lights here: moodled.com.au/collections/all

Flickering when dimming

LED lights that flicker while being dimmed down are the main source of frustration for people. Previously, with incandescent lights, dimming could be achieved gracefully in most scenarios.  Then trying to do the right thing, you upgrade to the new LED technology, and introduce flickering and shimmering.  And the worst part about it, you even purposely selected the light that said it was dimmable on the side of the box. 

LED lights will always highlight in their specs if they are dimmable or not dimmable.  If they don't mention it at all then you can bet they are non-dimmable. If an LED is non-dimmable, then connecting it to a dimmer will likely not show any difference in brightness as you dim it, and eventually turning off completely as you dim further. 

The biggest problem is that LED's labelled dimmable, at minimum have been electrically designed to dim their brightness when matched with a dimmer. "Simple" I hear you say, problem solved.  However, more than 80% of 'dimmable' LED's will flicker, strobe, pulse, or shimmer depending on these variables. 

• Type of dimmer (see blog article on type of dimmers)
• Quantity of lights on the circuit
• How your house is wired
• What state you live in (see section on NSW and SE QLD)
• Mixed Light types/models on a circuit
• Too many dimmers on a single switch plate

Type of Dimmer

In the world of dimmers there are 2 main varieties, Leading Edge and Trailing Edge.  LED lights will usually be calibrated to work with one not the other.  If you have existing dimmers that are Leading Edge, and your light wants Trailing Edge, you will most likely experience one or more of these symptoms; poor dimming, flickering, shimmering, or pulsing.
 
Unfortunately, to fix this issue, you will need to replace either the lights or the dimmers.  If you don't know what type the dimmers are, you may be better off replacing them, and ensuring your lights will match.  The hard part is that most LED sales information will not specify which style of dimmer it suits, and dimming test data will usually not be available.  This is the reason moodLED was born.  We have tested hundreds of models of lights to find the 'best of breed' models for each type of dimmer.  We then publish our test results right on the website.  www.moodled.com.au
 
Some of the latest dimmer technology can dramatically improve light/dimmer compatibility.  New technology is reducing the chance of negative results by designing the circuitry specifically for LED lights, and not older types.  Diginet has made arguably the best LED specific dimmer on the market, achieving the most compatibility and the best results.  See it here https://moodled.com.au/products/diginet-mmdm-rt-ledsmart-rotary-dimmer.

Quantity of lights on a circuit

What state you live in

Standards

Many of you are probably asking the question "But if the lights I buy conform to all Australian standards, why would I have a problem"?  And it's a good question.  However all of the Australian standards required to sell an LED light in Australia revolve around electrical design, electrical safety, heat dissipation, etc.  They are not performance standards but safety standards.  Unfortunately, there are no official performance standards that will assist you with grading dimming performance.  All you will have is the results of private tests performed by very few manufacturers/importers who actually care about dimming performance.  Therefore it's a good idea before purchasing a whole house worth of lighting, to do some testing of your own.

How do I fix it?

1. Add an LCD (Load correction device) - Because an LED light is a non-resistive load, some of the problems above can manifest, particularly when there are only 1 or 2 lights on a circuit.  An LCD won’t fix all scenarios, but it's a good place to start as it's a $20 part and a quick visit from your electrician.  Essentially it is a small capacitor/resistor that gets wired into the circuit.
2. Change the dimmer - If you have invested in LED lights but used your old dimmers, upgrading to the latest dimmer technology may solve the problem.  Again, one of the best in-wall dimmers available can be found here https://moodled.com.au/products/diginet-mmdm-rt-ledsmart-rotary-dimmer. 
3. Replace your LED lights - There may be some cases where you have inadvertently purchased a dud light fitting, that just wasn't designed to dim properly.  You may have no choice in this scenario but to replace the fittings with new.  Make sure to buy only fittings that have been thoroughly tested, with published test results. The obvious place to find quality dimmable lighting is here https://moodled.com.au/collections/all.
4. Replace with Smart Bulbs - Another method is to change all your light fittings to smart lights.  These will have dimming circuitry built in that is designed in conjunction with the light itself to produce good dimming results. Obviously, there will be a raft of other high-tech functionality built in as well.  Find a range here https://moodled.com.au/collections/smart-light-bulb.

 
 
Although this article is focused on what can go wrong when you update to LED lights, the majority of people who do have no such issues, and enjoy great savings on their energy bill, and improved lighting in their homes.  Well, moodLED customers certainly do.

moodLED

So you're ready to overhaul your home and add some wow factor with lighting. It might help to know a few of the basics so you can get it right the first time. We recently released an article that highlights a dozen ways to improve your lighting (read it here…), but getting down more to the basics, this article is about the 4 main purposes for lights in any room, why you need them, and how to use them.

We're sure you will have heard these 4 terms before, but maybe not a simple explanation of what they are and how to harness them. The 4 main types of lighting for a home are; ambient, task, accent, and decorative. Getting an understanding of what each of them are and how to utilise them, will give you a head start in designing your lighting to compliment your spaces.

Ambient

The primary lighting for any room is ambient lighting,
and it's what we've had in our rooms since lighting and electricity were invented.  If you remember being a kid and each room in the house had 1 light bulb in the middle of the ceiling, then this is ambient lighting.

The purpose of ambient lighting is to, well, light the room when it's dark.  We generally want to cover the most space we can and essentially, remove the darkness from the room.  How we do this and how we blend ambient with the other lighting types will determine how amazing the results are.

In this day and age, ambient lighting will predominantly be generated by downlights.  For practicality, looks, and value, they are hard to beat and definitely the fitting of choice.  The most important thing to note about our ambient downlights, is that they should nearly always be connected to a dimmer in the wall rather than just an on/off switch.  Some of the best lighting effects we can achieve in a room requires the ambient light to be dimmed right down in a balance with the other lighting types.   

So for ambient lighting in your Kitchen, Living room, Family room, Bedrooms, and hallways, you should consider LED downlights connected to a dimmer.  Not all downlights are designed for dimmers and even plenty of the ones that suggest they are, perform badly.  To ensure you get a great downlight that dims beautifully, have a look at our range here… An alternative to downlights for rooms such as bathrooms, laundries, utility rooms, and garages, is panel lights.  These essentially replace the old 'fluoro' tubes and give great and broad ambient light.

Whether it's downlights, panel lights, or pendants, once you have your ambient light for a room sorted, move on to Task Lighting.

Task

Task light is relatively easily defined as lighting an area where we are performing a task. The most obvious is lights over the kitchen bench while we are preparing a sandwich for example.  Here we are concentrating on lighting the area we are working in, without concern for lighting the rest of the room.  Task lighting will nearly always be used in conjunction with ambient lighting.

Bathroom vanity, coffee table, garage workbench, dining table, bedside table, and reading chair are all standard areas you might install some task lighting.  The type of light fittings most commonly used for task lighting are downlights, spotlights (track lights), and pendants.  Typically with ambient lights we want as wide a beam angle as we can get, such as 120', but with task lighting we want to have a narrower beam, maybe 60', or even 30'.

When combined with ambient lighting, it's a fantastic effect to have the dynamic between dimmed down or 'muted' ambient lights, with strong or bright task lighting.  It can be like a spotlight highlighting the area of your task, amongst the dull glow in the rest of the room.  Another compelling lighting effect for a room is the contrast of light and shadow.  This can't be achieved with ambient light but it looks amazing if you use your task lighting in conjunction with accent lighting.  Imagine you are having your Tuesday night card game with friends at the dining table.  The light over the table is warm and narrow, so everything around the table is dark and in shadow.  Then for some contrast, you have your accent lighting on headlining your most prized possessions, maybe it's a family canvass on the wall, or a sculpture on a shelf.  Overall the room is mixed with dark shadow, highlighted accents, and task lighting focused on the table where you have congregated.  Subtle yet impressive.

Accent

Accent Lighting is where we move the needle from functional over to aesthetic.  This is how we really introduce Wow by combining Accent Lighting with Ambient and Task.  What we are doing here is highlighting any special features of the room, a feature wall, or some tricked up architecture.  We are focusing light on the main 'features' of the room the way an art gallery lights each piece of art. 

It can be a spotlight on a canvass or photo frame, a downlight over a sculpture, a koffer light around a dropped ceiling, or and uplight on a shelf of trinkets.  All of these are designed to show off the best features of a room, and make the room more inviting.

When you use accent lighting in combination with ambient and task, you will have an array of lighting moods and scenes in your decorating arsenal.  However one of the best effects with accent lighting is when its used on its own in an unoccupied room.  Nothing looks nicer than when you look into an adjacent room or walk past a room and see mostly shadows with some beautiful room features highlighted with well-placed accent lighting. 

Take your lighting beyond functional and into deliberate design with accent lighting in combination with ambient and task lighting.  Then, top it off with decorative lighting.

Decorative

Decorative lighting is like accent lighting except the light itself is the piece of art, or feature that we want to highlight.  So many light fitting manufacturers are employing serious designers in order to make lights that also make a statement.  In some cases the light that is produced is the feature, but in others, the fitting itself is.  The advantage of a fitting that is the feature is that it doesn't have to be dark for it to look great.

So whether it's pendants over the kitchen bench, a floor lamp in the Living room, or a wall light in the entry, you can make an impact in your space with a decorative light fitting. 

Put these 4 types of lights together in a clever design and your home will be a talking point. Run these lights from a lighting control system and you will win at home decorating. Learn more about Lighting Control here... and how it will change your life.

moodled.com.au

modern.smart.lighting

8 Things You Never Knew About New Lighting Technology

Check out the article here...

http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/75441668/list/8-things-you-never-knew-about-new-lighting-technology

You've invested a lot of money in your home, buying it, decorating it, and improving it.  You've spent time and money choosing colours, creating the perfect Kitchen, gardens and landscaping, and all the matching furnishings.  Get value from that investment and take it to the next aesthetic level by following these real and practical tips to make your home look and live better with lighting.

1. 1. Update to LED - Save money, improve light quality and style

LED has been a revolution in home lighting.  We now have a massive range of fittings available to us, all of which will cost 80 or 90% less to run.  This revolution also brings us choices we've never really had before; for example colour temperature.  Colour temperature is the Kelvin rating of the light that is being emitted.  A light with 3000K or lower CCT rating will look warm and yellowish in colour, like candle light.  4000K - 5000K will look relatively neutral, and 5000K+ will look blue and electric.  These colour temperatures can be carefully chosen to create the right look for a room, and even layered for extra dynamics.  Updating your light fittings will add value and make your home look more modern.

1. 2. Dimming for mood - Transform your spaces in a way wall colour and furniture can't

The absolute most effective way to improve the ambience of a room is to add dimming to the lighting circuits.  There are some living scenarios where we want all lights on 100%, such as preparing meals in the Kitchen, or in a laundry or bathroom.  However, there are also many living scenarios that would be better served by a more muted or subdued lighting look, such as a romantic dinner, or a movie night with the family. Dimming can be achieved simply by having your electrician add an inexpensive rotary dimmer to your wall switch, or you can add a smart lighting control system and enjoy the raft of added features these systems bring.  Learn more about dimming here…

1. 3. Schedules or Timers - Automate architectural lighting

Wouldn't it be great if we could remember to go around and turn on all our garden, porch, and external lights at the same time every evening, or go back to those rooms we turned on lights after 10 minutes to switch them off?  But let's face it, we can't, we don't, and we don't need to.  Enter light schedulers and timers.  Simple and inexpensive technology is available to turn on circuits of lights at a certain time of day, then off at another pre-determined time.  Timers will start running a timer clock when you turn on a light, and then turn them off 5, 10, or 60 minutes later, whichever you choose.  Great for pantries, laundry's, and sheds.

1. 4. Interior accent lighting - Highlight your art, wall hangings, feature walls, or anything else you love and want to show off

Have you ever been in a room, public or private, that looks incredible and inspiring, only to see it in daylight and be less impressed?  This is the power of lighting.  One of the primary ways lighting is used to make a room 'pop' is with accent lighting.  The purpose here is to highlight a feature of a room without adding too much ambient light to the overall room.  Imagine the effect of having muted lighting in your living area, then dynamic light highlighting your best piece of art, feature wall, fireplace, sculpture, or prized possession.  Adding to the point above, you could have a circuit of accent lighting all throughout the house that comes on at dusk and goes off at 10 pm.  Magnificent.

1. 5. Architectural Accent Lighting - Show off the outside of your house with accent lighting

As above, I'm sure you can recall a building that grabs your attention when you see it at night, but is almost non-descript during the day.  This is the power of Architectural Accent Lighting.  Using spotlights to highlight some surfaces and not others can create an inspiring look to a building, add some feature light fittings and hidden lights exposing different surface layers, and the overall look can be stunning.  Top it off with some garden and path lighting, and tree under lighting to complete the effect and have passers-by ogling your home with admiration.  We have more on Outdoor Lighting here...

1. 6. Motion Sensors - Improve the safety and security of your home

Keep everyone safe with fittings that turn on with motion to light dark paths, stairs, or entry points to your property, then turn off 1 - 10 minutes later.  Very practical!

1. 7. Lighting Control - Invest in a technology system that will automate all of the above

Make your home easier to live in while at the same time-saving energy and keeping your family safe.  Choose from elegant light switches with LED labels so you don't have to remember which button does which.  Group lights into scenes so that one button can prepare your home for entertaining, a quiet drink with the neighbour, a movie night at home with the family, or a romantic dinner with your partner. Lighting control does all of that and more.  Read all the benefits of lighting control here…

1. 8. Smart Bulbs - Add intelligence to your home

If you don't want to invest in a whole home Lighting Control system, you can still get some of the benefits by adding smart bulbs.  From being able to turn them on and off from your smartphone, being able to group different lights together, changing colours and moods, dimming, and even doubling up as wifi boosters, Bluetooth speakers, or security cameras, smart bulbs can be dramatically helpful in making your home more functional and more livable.  Learn more about smart bulbs here….

1. 9. Oversized LED Filament Bulbs - add some elegance and retro at the same time.

Large LED filament bulbs in lamps or in pendants are a sensational look.  Whether it be over the dining room table or as accent lighting in the living room, a dimmed, warm white, oversized bulb will make a room look amazing.  G125 is the popular shape for large bulbs and usually come in the screw in or bayonet style base.  Add some romance, warmth, and elegance with LED filament bulbs.

1. 10. Experiment with Colour Temperature - layers and layers

We use rooms for different purposes.  Your dining room could be hosting a book club meeting one night, a large family dinner the next, then a romantic dinner for 2 on the weekend.  Getting the lighting right to suit each event can be tricky.  For the family dinner, you want bright and dynamic, but the romantic dinner is the opposite, warm and cosy.  The best way to achieve this is to 'layer' your lighting.  You may have neutral or cool white downlights that can light up the room, or be dimmed right down; add to this a double pendant over the table with oversized LED filament bulbs that are warm white, like a candle.  That's about the minimum you would need to light this room for the different purposes.  If you were able to dim the levels of both lights you actually have a palette to change the mood of the room substantially. Adding more circuits like wall lights, lamps, or spotlights, will increase the versatility and available moods exponentially.  We have a complete article on Colour Temperature here...

1. 11. Light a path to the Bathroom for Kids

This is the most common benefit of a lighting control system when implemented.  A sensor or 2 pick up movement near the kid's bedroom doors, if it's after say 10 pm, lights come on dimmed right down in a path to the bathroom.  They then turn off after 5 minutes.  No cleanups required in the hallways or closets, and no kids screaming because their retinas are on fire from turning on lights on full.  There are ways to achieve this feature without a lighting control system.  Some manufacturers have designed small lights that plug into a low power point and have a sensor that picks up motion, then a small light that's not too bright pointed down low near the floor.  The main problem with these is having power points in the exact right location, and usually a narrow beam of the sensor, which means in some homes they will be too late in turning on and therefore ineffective.

1. 12. Add more circuits

Obviously, this will come at a cost, as an electrician will need to come and run more wires, change the light switch, and install new lights.  However adding more lights (along with dimmers) will make the greatest difference to the look, mood, and feel of a room.  Let's say you have 4 old downlights in your Living room.  If you upgraded them to dimmable LED's that are natural white and added a dimmer on the wall, added some dimmable wall sconces in cool white, then a nice lamp with warm white bulbs in the corner;  you will have totally transformed this room.  It will be capable of a multitude of moods and vibes, and better suited to many different purposes.

We hope you had some lightbulb moments (pun intended!) reading these tips.  If you choose to implement any or all of these tips and successfully improve the functionality and look of your home, then our job is done.  For more tips and great usable info on lighting in your home, check out the rest of our blog articles here.

moodLED

modern.smart.lighting

6 Mood Enhancing Tips for your Lighting Scheme

Check out the article here...

http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/71993814/list/6-mood-enhancing-tips-for-your-lighting-scheme

Keep stubbing your toe on that little step near the rubbish bin? Can't find your keys to unlock the front door in the dark?  Hear a bump outside in the night? Apprehensive when you walk the dark path between the Garage and Clothes Line at night? 

Easily fixed.  Install some sensor lights. You will genuinely wonder where they have been all your life.  For general ideas on how to improve your outdoor lighting, read "Must have Lighting Tips for Outdoors".  

Outdoor Sensor Lights

So 'what exactly are they?' I hear you saying.  They are basically a light, like an outdoor
floodlight, designed to light up a backyard or outdoor area, combined with a motion sensor like those used in an alarm system.  Using infra-red, the sensor picks up a moving mass and turns on the light.  Whether it's you trying to get to the garbage bin, or your teenager coming home late at night, as soon as you walk into the space the light will come on and you will see the path.  Keep in mind though, they need to be turned on at the switch for the sensor to turn them on and off.
 

There are a number of ways they can be used: 

• Security.  Be aware of anyone sneaking around the house by having the lights come on.  Anyone creeping around who shouldn't be there will be suddenly exposed under a spotlight and most likely run away.

• Safety.  Protect your big toe from that stubbing and keep your family and friends safe whenever they are traversing a dark space in your outdoor area.

• Convenience.  You've procrastinated long enough and you begrudgingly give in to the fact that you have to take the rubbish out to the bin.  You get half way outside in the dark and remember you should have turned on the light switch way back there in the Family room.  First world problems.  So the first world solution is to install sensor lights.  

Sensor lights come in a variety of styles, lamp and sensor built in one unit is the most common.  Also you can get the spotlights separate from the sensor in case they need to go in different areas, and you can have a lighting control system where they will also be separate but highly programmable.

So to effectively use a sensor light you aim the sensor at the area where the main traffic will start, such as just outside the rear door, or just inside the gate.  Then you position the light(s) to light the centre of the path.  Sometimes it makes more sense to have a sensor near the door, but the lights further down so they cover the whole of the dark area.  This is more effective but will cost a bit more for the electrician to install and wire for.

Most commonly sensor lights are used for patios, sheds, garages, backyards, utility areas, and house perimeters like driveways and side paths.  You can't have too many.

Sensor Light Settings

Most common off-the-shelf units will have a few adjustments you'll need to make.  The first will be Lux.  This is essentially how dark you want it to be before it kicks in and starts turning on the lights.  On the highest setting it will likely turn on the light during broad daylight, and on the lowest, it would take a moonless night before it turns on.  Obviously we want to set it somewhere in between so that the lights start to turn on around dusk when daylight is almost gone.  Getting this setting right may take a few days or weeks of subtle tweaking. 

The other setting is simply how long you want the light to stay on.  Most types will give you between 5 seconds and 15 minutes.  Obviously just set it to your preference.  This works on a timer, therefore if motion turns the light on, a timer countdown will start and turn the light off when it has reached 0.  If the sensor picks up more motion, it will retrigger the timer to start again.  Therefore the light could stay on for half an hour while you are moving around in the area, and only turn off a few minutes after you have left the area and the sensor no longer picks up movement. 

Some will also have a sensitivity adjustment.  Set it low and it will take an elephant to turn it on, set it too high, and it will go off all the time with insects or even rustling leaves on a tree.

One last feature is the override.  This allows you to turn on the light and disable the sensor.  If you are entertaining for example, you'll want the light to stay on, not constantly turning off then on again.  Although some models vary, this is usually done by turning off the switch, and then turning it straight back on.  Once you turn a sensor light off, if you turn it back on within 1 - 2 minutes, it will be in override mode.  To reset to sensor mode, just turn it off, wait 2 minutes, then turn it back on again.

Where can I get one I hear you ask?  Just about anywhere.  All lighting stores and hardware stores will carry a range of sensor lights from $30 to $200.

Smart Lighting / Smart Outdoor Floodlights

Of course if you have a lighting control system like C-Bus or Dynalite, you won't need to worry about waiting 2 minutes, it will be programmed to override from the switch and resume sensor function as soon as you turn the switch off.  It can also be programmed to do slightly different things at different times through the night!  

If you wanted to get more creative and architecturally appealing, you might consider just getting sensors and having them wired in to general circuits instead of built in to flood lights.  Therefore your patio or external downlights from moodLED could be incorporated into the sensor plan.  Even 12/24 Volt garden lights could be switched with a sensor. 

So there's no rocket science here, just a great and inexpensive way to keep your family safe, secure, and add a little first world convenience to your home.

moodLED

modern.smart.lighting

Outdoor Sensor Lights

Must have Tips for Outdoor Lighting

With our aussie lifestyle and climate we almost live outside, particularly in summer.  Homes are graded by how good the ‘patio’, ‘deck’, or ‘terrace’ is.  So getting the exterior lighting right, can make our home look amazing, be more inviting, more usable, and also far safer.

Using all 3 types of lights, Task, Accent, and Ambient; we can show off our landscape and gardens, light our entertaining area for a big party or an intimate dinner party, we can light our paths and steps to keep everybody safe, and we can use sensor lights to protect our home.

Practicality

Entertaining

Fire up the barby, switch on the entertaining lights.  Generally, you would have ambient downlights covering the dining table, BBQ, and sitting spaces; then some accent lighting such as wall sconces, LED strips, or even string lights highlighting features and walls.  Add in some task lighting for the BBQ plate and prep benches, and you’re a long way towards creating the ultimate entertaining space. 

Dining

The Barby’s finished and your culinary masterpiece is ready to devour.  Hit a button to change the scene from lots of ambient and task lighting around the BBQ, to some muted accent lighting with task and ambient lighting localised to the outdoor dining table.  Compliments to the chef.

Architectural

Whether you are entertaining or just having a quiet night in, you can make your home stand out with some carefully planned architectural lighting.  Feature walls and columns using up and down lighters, use downlights or spotlights in concealed spaces to invisibly light surfaces, light your paths and gardens, and spotlights under your trees.  All this can turn a dark house into an oasis and make you the envy of the neighbourhood.

Security

Your outdoor lights can be your first defence from undesirables.  Using sensor lights around the perimeter of your property can scare away would-be thieves and alert you to someone’s presence.  If you have all entrances on the ground floor covered by sensor lights, you will make your house a lot safer.  Combine this with a CCTV system and Burglar Alarm, and the average criminal will walk straight past your place when scoping for a target.

Safety

Outdoor lighting can also be used to light paths, stepping stones, stairs, retaining walls, and just about any other hazard you may have around your house.  Keep your family and guests safe by eliminating the accidents that can happen when steps and paths are dark or poorly lit. 

Outdoor Lighting Tips

Types

Ambient Lighting – This is normal lighting that we all understand and have used all our lives.  Typically, in an outdoor area, it will be Downlights and LED panels designed to light up all the corners of the space.  These lights should be dimmable and natural white in colour temperature, around 4500K.

Accent Lighting – This is how we show off not only our Outdoor area, but also our architecture, pool, and gardens.  Spotlights, Up/Down Lights, LED Strips, Deck uplighters, Step and Path Lights, and Bollard Lights in the gardens can achieve an amazing look for your home.  Generally, the accent lighting can be on 1 or a few circuits, and should mostly be cool white (6000K) with a small amount of warm white (3000K) layered in.

Task Lighting – Task lighting is localised to the area you need it.  So in the Outdoor Kitchen it generally means Downlights over the benches and BBQ.  Dimming is not essential but could add to the ambience of the room, and colour temperature would normally be cool (6000K) to natural (4500K).

Outdoor lighting is another area that can be greatly enhanced by a lighting control system such as C-Bus or Dynalite.  Architectural lighting would usually be set by a schedule to turn on at dusk and off at 10pm, to make it worry free.  Your entertaining area would benefit from ‘press of a button’ scenes to switch between different moods at different periods of an evening.  Motion sensors are the key to security lighting but can also make your house easier to live in.  Open your garage door on return to your home and the garage lights come on and light a path to the Kitchen/Living area.  The sensors can even be programmed to do different things depending on what time of night it is, whether the alarm is on or off, if you are away on holidays.

• Use 3 types of lighting – Ambient, Task, and Accent
• Dimmers with dimmable lights should be used for the ambient lighting, but nor required for accent and safety/security lighting
• Layer the types of lights for different functions
• Invest in lighting control to further improve your awesome outdoor lighting

As Australian we invest good money and time into making our outdoor spaces look amazing, lets light them to make them look and live even better.

moodLED

modern.smart.lighting

 facebook.com/moodled 

Outdoor Lighting Tips

Sengled, a New Generation of Lighting

Smart Light Bulbs 

We’ve seen a lot of evolution on the lighting industry in the last few decades, now we have a revolution thanks to Sengled.

 
The first thing you want from a light is for it to turn on and light up your room – Check
It would be great if you could control it from your phone- Check
Next it would be nice if you could dim the light down – Check
I’d love to be able to group some lights together to operate them together – Check
 
Really?  What else then?
 
How about my light also boosting my Wi-Fi signal? – Check
Can I push music to it from my phone and make it a speaker? – Check
Can it be a CCTV camera? – Check.
 
Checkmate.!

We have one or more lightbulbs in every room in our house, but we only wish we had more speakers, Wi-Fi boosters, and Security Cameras.  Now we can have it all… Genius. 

Smart Light Bulbs

 
Sengled Boost is a light bulb that you can turn on an off and dim from your smartphone, but it also boosts your Wi-Fi.  Put one of these in each room and you will have strong, robust, and 5 bar wifi everywhere in your home.

 
Sengled Pulse is also a light bulb that turns on and off and can be dimmed from your smartphone.  However, this bulb will also play your tunes, all around the house.  Walk into a room and turn on the light, then push your Spotify playlist to your light bulb.  “Gimmicky and they'll probably sound terrible” I hear you scoff.  Ever heard of a little brand name ‘JBL’?  Both models of Pulse bulb are loaded with JBL speakers, so sound quality is awesome, particularly for a light bulb. 
 

Sengled Scan is… you guessed it, a light bulb you can turn on, off, and dim from your smartphone.  This models special power is vision.  Log in from anywhere in the world and see your home from your light bulbs in glorious HD.  You can also have a 2 way conversation through a mic and speakers on the bulb.  I know, the ideas and inspiration for pranking your family or roomies are endless.
 

Smart Light Bulbs

Check them out!
 
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Must have tips for Bedroom Lighting

The design brief for a bedroom is quite easy don’t you think?  Make it multi-functional; reading, dressing, watching TV, studying, romantic; while exuding my personal style by making it vibrant and fabulous; also making it harmonious and relaxing to entice rest; and of course highlighting my art and photo frames.  Easy! Or maybe not so easy.  So how do we light the room for all of that?
 
Bedrooms in particular, are a room we need to light for multiple functions, therefore they need a multitude of lighting styles and fitting types.  Some of the strategies here will be quite different to some of the other rooms.
 

Practicality

 Once again to light our bedroom successfully we need to use all 3 of the lighting types (Accent, Ambient, and Task: More on these after), and layer them to cater for the different ways we use the room.

Dressing / General
Some activities just need maximum ambient light, like getting dressed or packing suitcases for a trip.  Some designers don’t like using downlights in bedrooms as they can end up shining straight in your eyes when you are lying in bed, however I like to use them for general purpose, and then other lighting types for when you are in the bed.  So I recommend ceiling downlights either warm or neutral colour temperature, and of course, they must be dimmable.
 
Bedside / Reading
If you’re in bed, we can turn off the downlights and turn on some task lighting on either side of the bed.  Typically, this will be a table lamp or pendants hanging from the ceiling.  Depending on the type and size of the bedside table, my preference is usually a pendant.  However, a lot can be said for a table lamp that can be changed or updated with fashions, seasons, or whims.  Goes without saying that these should be dimmable, they will also generally be on the warmer temperature scale.
   
Static
Nothing looks nicer when you’re walking past or entering a bedroom with a small amount of Accent lighting.  The downlights and beside lamps on 5% and the wall washers or wall spots, highlighting your picture frames, on at 20%.  The room becomes very inviting.  To cycle quickly between this and other lighting ‘scenes’, consider adding lighting control to your bedroom.
 
Secondary Rooms
In most cases, larger bedrooms will have subsidiary rooms, most commonly the walk in robe, and the ensuite.  While the walk in robe is easy enough with some neutral downlights and maybe some wall sconces either side of a mirror, the ensuite will have a few more layers. 

Generally, you will have downlights, or panels, for ambient bedroom lighting, in neutral or cold white colour temperature.  Then you may have wall sconces or vanity lighting either side of the mirror.  You could have heatlamps in the ceiling for those cold mornings, and maybe some warm wall sconces either side of the bathtub for that rare occasion you enjoy a relaxing bath.  Joined in to the lighting circuits will often be an exhaust fan and maybe even floor and towel warmers.

With a Lighting Control system, the WIR and Ensuite will most often have lighting sensors as well.  This means you don’t need a switch for the WIR, just walk in and the lights will come on.  5 minutes after you’ve left, they turn out.  A well programmed system will turn the lights to 10% when you shuffle half asleep into the ensuite in the middle of the night, therefore saving your retinas.
 
Romantic
So there is that other purpose of a bedroom… Creating a romantic environment in the bedroom is essentially done with all of the lighting above, just dimmed to 5 – 10%, and of course supplemented with candles, rose petals, and Kenny G; or it might be incense and death metal, each to their own.

Just remember one thing… lighting your bedroom for romance might lead to needing more bedrooms with great lighting in your home.

Bedroom Lighting

Types

Ambient Lighting – This is normal lighting that we all understand and have used all our lives.  Typically, in bedroom lighting it will be downlights designed to light up all the corners of the room.  These lights should be dimmable and between warm white (2500K), and natural white (4500K) in colour temperature.

Accent Lighting – This is how we show off the room; wall washers or spotlights lighting framed pictures in the wall.  LED strips around the bed head are an option as well.  LED strips would usually be neutral to cold white, wall washers and spotlights warm white to neutral.

Task Lighting – Task lighting is localised to the area you need it.  So in the Kitchen it generally means under-bench LED strips and pendants over the island.  Dimming is not essential but could add to the ambience of the room, and colour temperature would normally be cool (6000K) to natural (4500K).

To win at  your bedroom lighting, you need to get lighting control like C-Bus, Dynalite, or Control4.  It will add, to all of the above, the ability to create scenes.  A scene is like a memory or snapshot of a set configuration of lights.  So you can set the lights according to the ‘Dining’ mode above, then save it to a button.  So instead of setting 5 or 6 different lights on/off or dimmed every time you want to change function, you simply press a button to recall a scene.  More on lighting control here.

In Summary:

• Use 3 types of lighting – Ambient, Task, and Accent
• Dimmers with dimmable lights are a must
• Layer the types of lights for different room functions
• Invest in lighting control

 
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, make it fascinating.
 
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Bedroom Lighting

Must have lighting tips for Kitchen / Dining

Without a doubt the kitchen is the central hub of our homes.  When I grew up there was one fluorescent light fitting smack in the centre of the ceiling to light the entire kitchen.  I guess it served its purpose, except at 2am when it would burn a hole in my retinas when getting up for that middle of the night drink of water. 

We now live in a world where your last smartphone, the one you couldn’t wait to get cast aside to upgrade to the infinitely better new model, was powerful enough to run an Apollo mission.  So I’m sorry to say, but a single bright fluoro in the centre of the ceiling just doesn’t cut it any more.  We can easily light the room far better for functionality, immensely better for aesthetics, and monumentally better for your ‘middle of the night’ retinas.

Practicality

To properly light our kitchen and dining area, we need to use all 3 lighting types (Accent, Ambient, and Task: More on these after), and layer them to cater for the different ways we use the room(s).

Meal preparation

The most obvious function of the kitchen requires at least 2 of the 3 types of lighting, Task and Ambient.  We want ambient lighting, such as downlights or panels, to light the general area evenly.  We then want task lighting to illuminate the specific work areas; a downlight over the sink, some pendants over the island and dining table, and some LED strips under cabinets to light the benches for example.  Let the culinary upheaval begin!

Dining

Once we have prepared the meal we usually want to eat it.  Switch lighting scenes so that Kitchen is in ‘Accent’ mode, under island and cabinet highlighting LED strips on with pendants dimmed right down to 20%, and some warm pendants over the dining room table on.  By adding dimmers and/or lighting control, we can vary this scenario to allow for the large and loud extended family feast, or the intimate and romantic dinner for two.  Bon appetit.

Entertaining

When entertaining the Kitchen becomes the zone for probing friends on the latest happenings, sharing recipes, debating Aristotle, and preparing special beverages.  Here we’ll generally have everything on, all task, ambient, and accent lights.  However, once we migrate to the Living room or Patio, we can switch the Kitchen to full Accent mode.  TGIF!

Homework and debriefs

When evening comes and lights begin to come on, the first things to happen in the kitchen are commonly the daily family debriefs, and dreaded homework.  To cater for this, we would usually use some ambient lighting, maybe 50%, and full task lighting to illuminate the kitchen island and/or dining table.  How was your day stinky face?

Coffee conversation

You’re finally sitting in front of that friend and you’re busting to tell them all the news you’ve been saving up and haven’t posted on Facebook.  Accent lighting to highlight the best features of your Kitchen and Dining, and muted task lighting over the dining table or breakfast bench where you’re talking.  “You’ll never guess what happened last week…”

Empty

The kitchen is often visible from most other public areas of your home and nothing looks nicer than some elegant accent lighting while you are in an adjoining room.  Highlight the base of the Kitchen Island with an LED strip, light any niches, and dim down some LED strips over the benches.  Spectacular.

Kitchen Lighting 

Types

Ambient Lighting – This is normal lighting that we all understand and have
used all our lives.  Typically, in a Kitchen it will be Downlights and panels designed to light up all the corners of the room.  These lights should be dimmable and natural white in colour temperature, around 4500K.

Accent Lighting – This is how we show off the room; LED Strip highlighting
the base of the Kitchen Island, Lights in overhead cabinets with glass doors, niche lighting on shelving and cut-outs.  Generally, the accent lighting can be on 1 or a few circuits, must be dimmable, and can be a mixture of cool white (6000K) and warm white (3000K) depending on what is being highlighted.

Task Lighting – Task lighting is localised to the area you need it.  So in the
Kitchen it generally means under-bench LED strips and pendants over the island.  Dimming is not essential but could add to the ambience of the room, and colour temperature would normally be cool (6000K) to natural (4500K).

 

To win at  your kitchen lighting, you need to get lighting control like C-Bus, Dynalite, or Control4.  It will add, to all of the above, the ability to create scenes.  A scene is like a memory or snapshot of a set configuration of lights.  So you can set the lights according to the ‘Dining’ mode above, then save it to a button.  So instead of setting 5 or 6 different lights on/off or dimmed every time you want to change function, you simply press a button to recall a scene.  More on lighting control here.

In Summary:

• Use 3 types of lighting – Ambient, Task, and Accent

• Dimmers with dimmable lights are a must

• Layer the types of lights for different room functions

• Invest in lighting control

Kitchen Lighting

Types of Lights:

Downlights	Soffit
Track	Pendant

Your kitchen is the central hub of your home, make it captivating!

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Kitchen Lighting

Must have Lighting tips for Living / Family Rooms

Living Room Lighting 

It would be ridiculous for the family to enter the Living room to play a game of Monopoly and have lights that are dark and moody, therefore the first principle of lighting the room well is to layer the lighting to suit different functions.  Here are some of the activities you might do in your living room and the subsequent recommendations for your lighting: (If you haven’t heard of some of these types of lights there’s a bit more info in the next section)

Entertaining – Lots of ambient lighting (Downlights, Soffit or Valance styles) and full accent lighting (Focused downlighting, wall washes, track fittings) to show off the room.  Overall light capacity in the room should be around 90 – 100%.  Don’t forget the coasters.

Reading – Some muted accent lighting (Focused downlighting, wall washes, track fittings) and a task light (Table lamp, Floor lamp, focused downlight) at your sitting location.  Overall light capacity in the room should be around 40 – 50%.  Be transported to your literary Nirvana.

Watching TV – Some muted accent lighting (Focused downlighting, wall washes, track fittings), some muted ambient lighting (Downlights, Soffit or Valance styles) but only behind you, a dimmed task light (Table lamp, Floor lamp, pendant, focused downlight) at your sitting location.  Overall light capacity in the room should be around 30 – 50%.  Netflix me up.

Conversation - Ambient lighting (Downlights, Soffit or Valance styles) concentrated in the area you are sitting, and full accent lighting (Focused downlighting, wall washes, track fittings) to show off the room.  Overall light capacity in the room should be around 75 – 85%.  Reminisce, devise your destiny, discuss the achievements of great philosophers and scholars, or just joke and laugh till a little bit of wee comes out.

Empty – Sometimes you just want to show off the room when you’re not in it.  Full accent lighting (Focused downlighting, wall washes, track fittings) will do the job when you want to admire the room from afar.  Overall light capacity in the room should be around 10 – 40%.  Keep making excuses to walk past the living room to gaze at the beautiful dynamics between the shadows and the highlights of your prize possessions.

 Types

Ambient Lighting – This is normal lighting that we all understand and have used all our lives.  Downlights, panels or chandeliers designed to light up all the corners of the room.  What we want with our ambient lighting is to have a few different circuits so we can switch different zones of the room on or off, to create hot spots in the area we are occupying.  These lights should be dimmable and natural white in colour temperature, around 4500K.

 Accent Lighting – This is how we show off the room; spotlights on art or framed photos on the walls, spotlight on the fireplace, wall washes on the feature wall, niche lighting on shelving and cutouts.  Generally the accent lighting can be on 1 or a few circuits, must be dimmable, and can be a mixture of cool white (6000K) and warm white (3000K) depending on what is being highlighted.

Task Lighting – Task lighting is localised to the area you need it.  So it might be a floor lamp next to your chair, a pendant over your coffee table, or a table lamp on your desk.  Dimming is not essential but could add to the ambience of the room, and colour temperature would normally be warm (3000K) to natural (4500K).

If you want to go to the next level, you need to get lighting control like C-Bus, Dynalite, or Control4.  It will add, to all of the above, the ability to create scenes.  A scene is like a memory or snapshot of a set configuration of lights.  So you can set the lights according to the ‘converstaion’ mode above, then save it to a button.  So instead of setting 5 or 6 different lights on/off or dimmed every time you want to change function, you simply press a button to recall a scene.  More on lighting control here.

Living Room Lighting

In Summary:

• Use 3 types of lighting – Ambient, Task, and Accent
• Dimmers with dimmable lights are a must
• Layer the types of lights for different room functions
• Use different colour temperatures to create different moods
• Invest in lighting control

Types of Lights:

Downlights	Soffit	Valance
Track	Table lamp	Floor lamp

Your kitchen is the central hub of your home, make it captivating!

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Living Room Lighting

Smart Light Bulbs

Mood changing smart bulbs can be amazing fun for kids in their rooms.  Give them control via a tablet or smart device and they will have hours of fun experimenting with different colours.  Need proof?  Checkout this video.  

Or perhaps we can be a bit more serious and have set colours or 'moods' that signal a different part of the evening.  Yellow for homework, Blue for play, Green for sleep.  The only limits will be our imagination!

Smart Light Bulbs

Avea transforms your home with beautiful dynamic light moods. Control your ambience from your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Apple Watch, and unwind in one of the carefully crafted settings with subtly changing light. 

Avea Smart Light Bulb

Turn any luminaire into the perfect mood lamp with Avea Bulb. Simply replace your current light source with the energy efficient LED light bulb, and create the perfect atmosphere with colorful, dynamic light moods.

Smart Light Bulb technology

Avea connects directly to your iPhone, iPad or Android phone using Bluetooth Smart technology, without requiring additional gateways or bridges. But it doesn't stop there: once you have chosen a light scene, the smart LED lights will take care of the rest, not requiring a constant connection to your phone or iPad. Connect more than one Avea, and they will automatically coordinate their lighting to create an even more immersive atmosphere.

Rise and shine

After a relaxing evening, simply set your alarm using the built-in wake-up light scene. With Avea, rise and shine along a natural sunrise, right in your bedroom.

"Elgato’s smart LED bulb beams out a myriad of colours and boasts a bunch of relaxing presets." T3.com

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LED Dimmers

Lights.  Flick them on, flick them off.  You could easily be forgiven for thinking that’s all there was to it, but there can be so much more.  Dimming your lights can make your home cosy, elegant, practical, and energy conscious. 

If you want to make a room romantic, sophisticated, or you just don’t want to melt your retina’s at 2am, you should consider moving beyond the trusty (read: crusty) old light switch.

Let’s cover the how first, what do I need to dim my lights?  You simply need 2 products, a dimmer, and a light fitting or bulb that is compatible with dimming.  LED Dimmers can be in-wall designed to live and work next to your switch, like this Diginet Dimmer, or a dimmer can be part of a lighting control system such as C-Bus, Dynalite, or Control4. 

With all this new-fangled technology, you can even get both in one in the form of a ‘smart bulb’.  These will dim, often be able to change colour, and can be controlled singularly or in groups from your multitude of magical devices.

The Light fittings can be downlights, bulbs, panels, or even strip lights.  In a technological utopia all light fittings would dim evenly down to 0% on any dimmer, also our smartphones would wash the dishes.  In reality though, most lights available are not dimmable, and many that profess they are can be very questionable.  This is where moodLED comes in.  We only stock LED lights that are ‘best of breed’ for dimming on various types of LED dimmers, and we publish our test results on the most popular of dimmers available.

So if you already have LED dimmers in your house, make note of what type they are and search moodLED.com.au for fittings that are compatible.  If you don’t have dimming but want it, choose your favourite lights from moodLED and we can help you get hooked up with the right dimmers.  Either way, if you need further help identifying what you have or what you need, drop us some bytes here and we’ll be glad to help.

Tell me again why I need dimming and can’t just live with boring old On/Off? 

Well you need not even ask the question if you’ve ever tried to set up a bedroom or dining room for that perfect date or indefectible dinner party.  Apart from picking your gym socks up off the floor and spraying some Glen 20, you turn the lights on – too bright.  Turn them off and light a candle, better but just too dark.  Solution – dim the lights to the perfect level.

You love your brand new 65” Ultra 4K Super Pixel Overhead Cam 4D TV, but watching with the light on doesn’t look as good as it should.  Turn the light out and the picture pops but you can’t find the remote.  Solution, dim your lights to a nice low level and sit back for a night of Netflix.

And then there’s the first world problem of getting up in the middle of the night.  Turn on the light - flash blindness has you floundering to protect your eyes then falling over; leave the light off - find the toilet by a combination of sonar and radar, neither of which work out that well in most cases. 

Dim your bathroom lights and you’ve solved the problem.  Your retinas will be safe and if your male, you won’t have to hope your aiming at the bowl instead of the basin.

What the…?  So what happens if you choose the wrong ‘dimmable’ light, or the lights and LED dimmers you’ve chosen aren’t compatible?   

The space time continuum unravels and we all devolve into a simmering pool of protein mush. 

Or a little less dramatic, the lights can flicker, pulse, stay on a little when at 0%, not dim down far enough, or not dim at all.  Sometimes even with the right dimmer and light combination there are scenarios (with technical names like harmonics, inductive feedback, transducive spectocasm) where there might be some flickering or pulsing.   Luckily there is a neat product from Clipsal called a Load Correction Device which can be connected, remove the problem, and save the world.

So to dim your lights you need a dimmer and a dimmable light, and you need to do it because… well it’s 2016 and the toggle light switch was invented in 1917. 

If you want to learn more about LED dimming, read this blog article.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of lighting control systems, Click This.

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Unleash the power of Colour Temperatures When Choosing your LED Lights

Colour Temperature is one of the lesser-known characteristics of visible light. Very few homeowners take into consideration the colour temperature when choosing lighting for their homes and yet this is one factor that can have a tremendous impact on the overall ambience and aesthetics of your interior and exterior spaces.

Understanding Colour Temperature and How It Is Measured

The colour temperature of light is measured in Kelvins or K. LED lights can come in a range of colour temperatures usually between 2500K and 6000K. The term temperature has nothing to do with heat or how hot the bulb feels when you touch it, instead it represents the colour or ‘hue’ of the light it emits.  Lower Kelvin temperatures indicate warmer colours whereas higher Kelvin temperatures indicate cooler colours.

A lower K rating between 2500K and 3000K emits a warm light that imbues the space with a calming, romantic vibe, like candlelight. The colour temperature range is great for the bedroom, living room and dining room.

Colour temperatures between 3000K and 4500K produce a cool or neutral white light, like daylight from the Sun, that is mostly used when the light is needed for practical purposes and not intended to induce a ‘mood’. This range is great for use in the kitchen, garage and laundry.

Colour temperatures 4500K and above result in a very stark light with a blue tinge that is less relaxing and more crisp and vibrant. These cold tones give the room a subtle effect of attention and motivation, which makes them inappropriate for a cosy lounge room but ideal for your home office. You would find it hard to nod off to sleep in a room with a light that’s blazing bright at 6000K.  

Layering Colours Creates Different Effects in Any Room 

Understanding the kind of light that the different colour temperatures produce can open up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to decorating your space.  A professional lighting designer will harness the different temperatures and layer them to form atmosphere like an artist layers’ paints on a canvas.  

At home, you can use different combinations to create the right ambience in your home for different occasions. Soft warm lighting with the fireplace going in the background creates the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening for two, or intimate dinner party. With a flick of a few switches, you can turn off the warm lights and switch on the cooler, brighter lights for a comfortable reading room with a completely different atmosphere.

You can also use different combinations to great effect to highlight specific features in the room. Focusing lights with neutral colour temperatures on a prized possession, piece of art, or special features in the room while lighting up the other areas of the room with warmer colour temperatures; creates a subtle layering effect. What’s particularly great about applying colour temperature layers is that it builds an atmosphere that is different, yet deliberate, but nobody can say exactly why.

Colour Temps Can Be Combined with Dimming To Create A Wide Range Of Moods

Combing colour temperature with dimming adds another dimension to the canvas, taking the decorating possibilities to the next level. You can use different colour temperatures at different intensities to create a range of subtle highlights and lowlights in any room, and the palette of available ‘moods’ is increased 10 fold. The interplay between colour temperature and dimming makes a fantastic design statement without anyone consciously noticing it when they walk into the room. 

Using Colour Temperatures For Different Purposes In The Home

The colour temperature of the lighting that you install in a room will affect the atmosphere and mood of the room. Using the right colour temperature is important to induce the right frame of mind.

The master bedroom, living room and dining room should usually have warm lighting or lights with lower K rating, or be layered so that warm and neutral can be switched depending on what the room is being used for.

Neutral colour temperatures are ideal for the family room, kids and guest bedrooms and exterior lighting.

Cold temperatures or lights with higher K work best for rooms that need to be brightly lit such as the kitchen, laundry and garage.  External architectural lighting can also be cold temperatures to get that vibrant look to exterior surfaces.

So with most LED light fittings available in 3 or more colour temperatures across the range, without spending any further money you have another way to increase the aesthetic potency of your lighting choices.  

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Unleash the power of Colour Temperatures When Choosing your LED Lights

The different types of LED Dimmers

Everyone wants to have a home that’s not only functionally optimal, but is also welcoming, attractive, and inspiring. Lighting is one of the areas that most homeowners overlook yet it is a key factor in a house’s décor and ambience, as well as practicality. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, a strategic investment in lighting can have a profound impact on the warmth and affability of your space.  Once you have refit your lighting with modern, energy efficient, aesthetically pleasing fittings; adding dimmers is a way to take the transformation to another level.

Lighting dimmers can be centralized and ‘smart’ as in a lighting control system such as C-Bus or Dynalite, or they can simply be push button or rotary dials and easily fitted on walls in existing light switches. In the case of the latter they take as much space as a normal switch. As for the former, check out our blog for articles regarding the incredible world of Lighting Control and Home Automation. 

In layman’s terms, a dimmer regulates the amount of light that a bulb or light fitting gives off. Different lighting circuits can be dimmed to create different moods or even layered to create a sophisticated composition of atmosphere and emotion. Your power bills will also go down by up to 25%, but in contrast to the sweeping change in the aesthetics of your home, we’ll just call that a bonus.

Now talking about the different types of dimmers can get technical but that’s not what we are going to do.  It’s more important to understand what dimmer you already have, or are required to buy, and match it with the light fittings you have or want to get.  Compatibility is the primary concern. Therefore, we’ll keep it simple.

 Leading edge or ‘Triac’ LED dimmers

These dimmers are the most common and were very popular in years gone by to dim regular incandescent lights.  They are usually low cost and widely compatible.  Many new LED lights are being designed to work with Leading Edge dimmers.  Lights to suit are here...

Trailing edge LED dimmers

These are an electronic dimmer like leading edge but almost in reverse.  They were widely used for Halogen lights and some fluorescent lights that had electronic ballasts.  Will generally suit some early and some current LED lights. Lights to suit are here...

 Universal LED dimmers

Essentially a universal dimmer is a trailing edge and leading edge all in one.  It analyses the load and chooses which type would be the best to use.  “So why wouldn’t I automatically get a Universal Dimmer then?”, I hear you asking... Logical right?  Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.  Sometimes a universal dimmer acting in Leading Edge mode may not work as well as a standard Leading Edge dimmer.  Other times it may choose the wrong type.  Also, they cost more!  Lights to suit are here...

The bottom line is that regardless of what it says on the side of the box, some LED lights work better on one type of dimmer than another, or in some cases only work on one type period.  All the lights you see on moodLED, have been tested on both, and the results are right there in the description so you know exactly what type to get. 

For the sake of ‘full disclosure’, we should mention that there are other types of dimming out there such as 0-10V, DSI, Dali, etc.  They generally have a lot less to do with a modern residential home and come into play more in a commercial environment or with old Fluro’s.

Having read this article and collected info about our light fittings on our webpage, you will be one step closer in your decision to transform your house into the perfect home by creating the perfect mood for a dinner party, a nice ambience to read a book, and a romantic atmosphere to well… be romantic.

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The different types of LED Dimmers

Understanding LED Light Specs & Labels

Shopping for the best LED light can be confusing.  Do you want to buy something based on wattage or lumens? What are the quality standards you should look for?  Will this LED be bright enough for your needs?  Reading an LED label doesn’t have to be confusing once you know what you’re looking for. 

Lumens: A lumen is an easy indicator that will help you determine how much light an LED will output. Lumens are a measurement of the amount of light by a source, the more lumens an LED produces, the more light you can expect to have from it.  You may see this listed on a package as Light Output, Luminous Flux or Lumens.  As a quick comparison, a regular 60 watt incandescent bulb generates roughly 600 – 800 lumens. Lumens are irrespective of watts for LED lights which means the greater the watts doesn’t always equate to greater lumens.

Watts: A watt is a unit that measures the amount of power an LED bulb requires for it to produce light.  The higher the watts a bulb indicates the more power it will require which also increases the energy costs related to using that bulb.  LED lights are well known for their low wattage in comparison to traditional incandescent bulbs.  You may see this listed on a label as Watts.

Lumens per Watt:  When you notice lumens per watt on an LED package, this refers primarily to the efficiency of the LED light. Why does lumens per watt matter?  The greater the efficiency of the bulb, the more cost effective that bulb is and the lower your electricity bill will be. You may see packaging display this as Luminous Efficacy or Lumens per Watt.

Correlated Color Temperature: If you’ve ever tried to determine whether a light in your home is considered a warm or cool tone than you’ve unknowingly pondered the correlated color temperature (CCT) of a bulb.  CCT levels can range from 2700 K (Kelvin – a unit that measures temperature) to 6500 K. Low CCT values generally correlate with “warmer” tones, sometimes appearing yellowish, while high Kelvin generally relates to a cooler tone, often described as ‘blue’. Correlated color temperature can completely change the perception of a room. Warmer tones are best utilized for intimate, romantic spaces while cool tones are best chosen for areas like the kitchen or bathroom where greater visibility is essential. Often the CCT scale will be accompanied by a color tolerance system such as the color rendering index.  Read how you can use colour temperature as a factor in your interior design here...

Color Rendering Index: To determine a lights ability to properly, or realistically, show an objects color, you may find the Color Rendering Index or (CRI) on the label alongside the CCT.   Simply stated, the lower the CRI amount of a bulb the greater the chance that an objects color will appear unnatural. The maximum value a bulb can achieve is 100; however, as a basis for comparison an average fluorescent bulb may only have a CRI in the low 60s. 

Compliance and Regulations: When purchasing an LED it is important to ensure it is certified and complies with the most recent regulations for health and safety.  The Standards Association of Australia (SAA) and approved affiliated organizations certify products for use once they pass safety testing.  All electrical products must go through an approval process and approvals must comply with local safety regulations before it can be sold.  Look for SAA approval markings on any LED lighting you look to purchase.

The Consumer Electronics (CE) Mark is another certification electronic manufacturers can use to show they comply with standard regulations put forth by the European Economic Area (EEA).  Manufacturers can solely choose to adorn this mark of compliance without any other government testing involved, however, a manufacturer must complete internal testing with detailed documentation made available upon request.  For this reason, you can see the CE mark on many products outside of the European market signifying that they comply with the current EEA regulations.

The Lighting Council of Australia also implemented the Solid State Lighting (SSL) Quality Scheme that allows manufacturers to voluntarily provide labels detailing the claims made for their product.  Performance parameters, reports and other evidence are provided to the Lighting Council to verify the claims.  You can find all registered products on the Lighting Councils website.

When shopping for the right light, knowing what to look for can completely change your experience.  Labeling can sometimes cause confusion, but now with the right information, you can make educated choices that can be aesthetically pleasing but still cost effective.

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Understanding LED Light Specs & Labels

8 Reasons to have dimmers and dimming Lights in your Home

Dimmers and Dimming lights have transformed the way we use lights in our homes. Practical, environmentally friendly AND great-looking, this ingenious lighting enhancement offers a perfect combination of form and function. Take a look at the many benefits of dimming lights in a home and why simply turning lights on or off just doesn’t cut it anymore. 

1. The lighting level can be adjusted to create the perfect setting

Too much lighting is not always a good thing. Bright lights can sometimes result in an environment that is much too harsh for the occasion. A dimmer light switch with dimming capabilities or a Lighting Control System allows you to adjust the lighting in the room so you can create the perfect setting anytime – dim and cosy for a relaxed mood or romantic interludes, brighter lights for reading, working or other DIY activities.

2. Lights can be kept low when you wake up at night

Studies have shown that going from total darkness to bright lights can cause temporary visual impairment and can burn our retinas over a period of time. With dimmers dimming lights you can put the lights on low when you wake up at night so your eyes can gradually adjust to the lighting. This is especially beneficial for eyes that are highly sensitive to light and for the children when they get up through the night to go to the toilet.

3. Keep just the right amount of light for watching TV

Bright lights do nothing to create the right atmosphere when watching your favourite TV show. On the other hand, watching television in total darkness is bad for the eyes. The solution? Dimming your lights. You can set them so that the room is mostly dark but there is just enough lighting to protect your eyes.

4. Get transported to another world while watching movies in your media room

The right lighting in your media room can create the proper effect and whisk you away to another world when you and your family or guests settle down to watch a movie. Dimmed lighting can actually transport you to that galaxy far, far away when you are watching Star Wars. It would never happen if the room was awash with lights.

5. Highlight different areas of the room for fantastic architectural effect

When used correctly, lighting is the easiest way to highlight different areas of the room for an unexpectedly amazing effect. Setting a few lights on high and the others on low can showcase select architectural features while creating shadows just where you want them. The result can be absolutely stunning.  

6. Watch the energy savings add up

When dimmed down, light fixtures consume less energy. By simply dimming a light, you are not only saving on your energy bill but you are also doing your bit to save the environment. 

7. A soft start and ramp down offers a much more pleasant experience

When you enter a room that is dark and switch on the lights, the sudden brightness can be jarring and unpleasant. The soft start and ramp down capability of dimmers or lighting control systems offer a gentler and more pleasant experience as it allows your body to adjust to the varying light intensity.

8. Add an extra level of security in your home

Lighting plays a crucial role in home security. Programming lighting to mimic normal usage when you are away can be an effective deterrent to intruders on the lookout for unoccupied properties. Dimmed or selectively switched levels of illumination will save energy without compromising on your home security.

It’s easy to see that dimmers and dimming lights are creating innovation in home lighting. If you are still using traditional lighting, you are missing out a long list of benefits. With a wide range of dimmable lights available at www.moodLED.com.au, you are sure to find a lighting solution that matches your requirements.

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Create moods with a dimmer...

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Mood Lighting

The right choice of lighting can open up a whole new world of possibilities.  

Imagine this...

It’s Valentine’s Day and you’re planning to propose to your special someone. You’ve pulled out all the stops to create an ultra-romantic ambience. The table is set, complete with a gorgeous floral centrepiece. The music system is programmed to play your special song at a particular time. Scented candles strategically placed fill the room with exotic aromas.

Everything is set for a perfect evening, except for one little detail. Your home has traditional on-off light switches and the big decision facing you now is whether you should keep the lights on or off. Keep them switched off is not an option. However, switch them on and all your carefully created romantic atmosphere goes right out the window in a super bright flash.

Now imagine the same scenario with dimming lights. You can set dimming lights to the absolute exact light intensity so that the atmosphere in the room is just the way you want it – not too bright or too dark. The lighting is just perfect and ties things up beautifully.

It’s true – nothing sets the mood the way lighting does and on special occasions like this, the right mood lighting can make all the difference!

Why Lighting Is Such An Important Element In Mood Settings

We may not be aware of it at all times but lighting exerts a subtle yet powerful influence on the way we feel at that moment. This is because our moods are highly sensitive to any changes in light intensity. A room that is brightly lit exudes energy, activity and a state of alertness but as the light intensity is lowered, the environment becomes increasingly softer, more relaxed and more comfortable, forming the perfect backdrop for romance and intimacy.

Setting the Perfect Mood In Every Room

Dimmer switches or a lighting control system allow you to set the perfect mood in any room in your home. While you may want to keep the lights on high to match the high energy levels in the room on family game nights, a middle setting may set a better mood when you are hosting a cocktail party and lower setting may be more appropriate when it’s just the two of you settling down to enjoy an after-dinner drink.

Dimming lights can turn your bedroom into a cosy, romantic haven at the end of the day and can brighten it up sufficiently in the mornings so you can get ready for the day ahead. These little devices are one of the most inexpensive ways of transforming a space and setting the mood. Moreover they come in a wide array of styles and options to match any interior decor so you never have to compromise. Check out the fabulous collection of dimming lights at moodled.com.au and you’ll never go back to using boring ‘on’ ‘off’ piano switches again.

Mood Lighting

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                LED Lighting is the future.  Revitalizing your home, your workplace and even your electronics doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult.  Gone are the days of antiquated incandescent bulbs and unreliable compact fluorescents, LED lights look better, last longer and cost less to run while providing the same if not greater light output.

                Why should I consider switching to LED lights? This is a common question consumers ask these days and there are many answers. LED or Light Emitting Diodes don’t have a filament like the old incandescent bulbs and are used in most electronic devices today from cell phones to televisions and even alarm clocks.  They are popular due to their low energy consumption and durability.  Big businesses as well as everyday consumers utilize this low energy consumption to decrease greenhouse gasses and lower their electric bills. Unlike compact fluorescent bulbs LED lights contain no mercury and are RoHS (Restricted of the use of Hazardous Substances) compliant.  Not only does this make LED lighting cost effective but it also makes them environmentally friendly.  Never before has something as simple as changing a light bulb had such a tremendous impact on the environment as switching to LED lighting has today.
                Consumers should be able to trust in their lighting. If you’ve ever walked into a room and turned on the light and noticed it took a almost a minute before the light was bright enough to see, then you’ve experienced firsthand a common issue with compact fluorescents. LED lights require no warm up time and generate much less heat than other light sources. This also gives LED’s a significant advantage in style.  Fashionable lighting changes the tone and aesthetics of every room.  Due to their enduring nature and low space requirements modern interior designers swear by the use of LED’s.
                With LED lighting you can completely change a room to better suit your needs.  Setting a tone to a room these days is as easy as turning on the right light.  LED lights come in a much broader spectrum of temperature colours.  Simply switching a bulb to a warmer tone for a special dinner or adding some colour to a holiday party can improve the experience of everyone attending. If LED lighting has one inherent flaw it would be simply that many LED light fittings lack the ability to dim, and many LED lights labeled ‘dimmable’ may flicker and dim no less than thirty percent.  MoodLED.com.au specializes and tests all LED models to ensure their lights dim to at least 10 percent with exceptionally low to virtually no amount of flicker.
                 Switch today and reap the benefits of LED lights. Recent studies show that LED lights last nearly six times longer than compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and forty times longer than conventional incandescent bulbs. Switching to an LED light will save you half of what a CFL would cost you a year and if you’re using a conventional incandescent light bulb, it would take you ten years of LED bulb use to equal just one year of using that incandescent bulb.  The savings alone are clear; LED lights are the only choice.

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