Lighting is an important aspect in garages not just for enhancing the functionality but also ensuring safety. Traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights are simply not enough luminescent and even energy efficient. Traditional white lights need huge wattage and energy, unlike LEDs that consume less energy. This post offers pointers on choosing the best LED garage lights based on the space available and its utility.
What to Look for When Choosing LED Garage Lights
When selecting the perfect LED garage lights for your space, it’s essential to consider a few key factors to ensure you get the right lighting that meets your needs. Here are the main things to look for when choosing LED garage lights.
- Brightness and Lumens: Brightness is one of the most critical factors to consider. The brightness of a light is typically measured in lumens, not watts, as with traditional incandescent bulbs. For a standard garage, you should aim for at least 3,000 lumens, but for larger spaces, you may need more, such as 4,000 to 6,000 lumens. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light.
- Energy Efficiency Rating: LED lights consume significantly less power than traditional incandescent bulbs while providing the same brightness. So, look for LEDs that have an ENERGY STAR rating to ensure maximum energy savings and quality performance. Also, look for other local certifications, UL listings, and so on.
- Color Temperature: The color temperature of your LED lights determines the appearance of the light and how it affects the atmosphere in your garage. For garages, a cooler color temperature (4,000K–6,500K) is recommended as it offers brighter, clearer light, which is ideal for detailed work and improving visibility.
- Durability and Lifespan: LED garage lights are known for their long lifespan. A good LED bulb can last anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 hours, which is significantly longer than traditional lighting. Look for lights that are specifically rated for the rough environment of a garage.
- Design and Features: The lighting in a garage may not necessarily be uniform. It may be brighter in some spaces and well-lit overall. You can choose LED lights that come with adjustable panels or heads that allow you to direct light where you need it the most.
Types of LED Garage Lights
Here are the most popular types of LED garage lights.
- Fixed LED Garage Lights: Choosing LED light bulbs from reputable manufacturers is the key to ensuring durability and a longer lifespan. Durable LED lights typically come with high-quality LED chips, robust drivers, and effective heat management systems. Look for trusted brands with good customer reviews and a history of producing long-lasting lighting products.
- LED Ceiling Lights: LED ceiling lights usually come in a flat, low-profile design and can be flush-mounted or suspended from the ceiling. Ceiling lights offer broad, ambient lighting and are often used in garages with lower ceilings. They are great for illuminating the entire garage uniformly, while providing a clean, modern look.
- LED Shop Lights: LED shop lights feature a linear design with multiple LEDs spread across a long bar. They are great for focused, task-specific lighting, making them ideal for detailed projects like car repairs.
How to Choose the Right Number of LED Garage Lights
Here’s how to determine the ideal number of LED lights for your garage based on size, layout, and lighting needs.
- Assess the Size of Your Garage: First, choose the right number of LED garage lights to determine the square footage of your garage. Measure the length and width of your garage and multiply them to get the total square footage.
For example:
If your garage is 20 feet long and 15 feet wide, the total area would be:
20 x 15 = 300 square feet
Knowing the square footage is important because the number of lumens required to properly light the space will depend on its size. - Specify the Desired Brightness: For garages, it’s recommended to have between 50 and 75 lumens per square foot to ensure proper illumination for most tasks. However, if you are using the garage for repair work or other detailing, you may want to aim for a higher lumen count.
For instance:
For a 300-square-foot garage, you would need between 15,000 and 22,500 lumens (300 x 50 to 300 x 75).
You can determine how many LED garage lights you need by checking the lumens output on the light’s packaging. - Consider the Ceiling Height: For garages with low ceilings (8–9 feet), a smaller number of LED lights should suffice, as the light will stay closer to the ground. For higher ceilings (10 feet or more), you’ll need to position lights more strategically to ensure adequate coverage.
Need help to choose the right lighting? Contact the team at Thinlight Technologies for expert advice.
