Are you still using incandescent light bulbs? Your electrician would recommend a different course. Efficient lighting technology has blown up in the last few years, and advanced technologies are just getting better. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at the forefront of modern lighting thanks to their inexpensive and long-lasting luminescence. Some of these new diodes are leading the pack in must-have lighting features, including smart home integration that you can control with your phone. Read on to learn more about the latest in LED technology.

Upfront Costs are Dropping

One of the biggest complaints about early LEDs was the price. Almost any LED will save you money over time compared to an incandescent bulb, since they use 25 to 80 percent less electricity and can last up to 25 times as long, but many consumers balked at paying the $35 or higher retail price for a single bulb. Newer models, however, can recreate the look of that classic 60 watt incandescent bulb with fewer LED panels, meaning they are cheaper to produce and sell for $10 or less.

Options are Expanding

Other common complaints about the first LED models were that the warmth of the light wasn't quite right and they didn't work with accessories like dimmers. With today's technologies, however, you can find LEDs that give off almost any color and lighting profile, allowing you to mimic the look and feel of your old incandescent bulbs or tailor your room to fit more eclectic tastes. Not every LED is compatible with standard dimmers yet, but many are – just check the label on the box to make sure.

Make it a Smart Bulb

Many new LED models are designed specifically to work with smart technology. That means you can control them from your phone no matter where you are, set up a schedule for them to turn on and off, and even have different colors or light intensities at different times. Newer bulbs are also optimized to work with your other smart home systems to move you closer to a goal of integrated whole-house control.

Turnkey Functionality

One of the biggest advantages of upgrading to LEDs is how easy it is. There's no need to hire an electrician to set up new wiring or fixtures – the bulbs screw right into the pre-existing bases, out of the box. If you want tips on how to make the most of your new lighting options and create the room profile that fits your home, however, don't hesitate to call up your local electrician for guidance and advice.

Earlier this month, we discussed the signs you should notice that tell you the time for electrical rewiring in Fairfax, VA is near. Keeping an eye out for any indicators is important, but you also need to consider what types of rewiring would be beneficial for your home. If you notice your home has one too many extension cords, then it’s certainly time to get rewiring service that will eliminate over reliance on extension cords in favor of an alternative. Or maybe you notice your home is still equipped with dated aluminum wiring, which will require a different rewiring service altogether.

Unsure of what type of rewiring you need and for what purpose? Well, here’s a general overview of the 4 most common types of rewiring our team handles:

Older homes have a very distinctive look and feel and some people prefer to invest in older properties, rather than in a newer one. These homes have an old world charm and offer great value too. But most of these homes also have older installations and some basic upgrades and improvements can give them a new lease of life.

While most property owners do get the house painted, add new features and furniture etc. very few consider getting the extension cord doesn’t have the capacity to power multiple devices simultaneously. The safest thing to do is to get more powerpoints installed at the time you get the rewiring done. When you are planning this installation, take into account the number of appliances used in your home and get that number of (or more) power points fitted in the different rooms.