LED Lighting Colour Temperature
Since 2006 the low energy requirements for lighting in the UK Building Regulations has ensured that new and extensively refurbished or extended homes have become more energy efficient. However, the main light source in many homes is still incandescent and halogen lamps (bulbs). There is very little difference between the colour of light that these produce, even between types. The main noticeable difference tends to be if fluorescent lights are being used in the same room as the other types, e.g. the slim fluorescent fittings used as under cabinets lights cast a much colder bluer toned light than halogen downlights used in the ceiling.
The most common light source is now fast becoming LED. Due to the nature of the manufacture of LEDs they can be and are produced to vary widely in the colour of light that they produce. The colour of the light produced is known as its colour temperature and this is expressed on the packaging or the manufacturer’s data sheets in kelvins (k). The lower the number, e.g. 2700k the warmer (orange/yellow tones) the colour of the light and the higher the number, e.g. 6500k, the cooler (bluer toned) the colour of the light. Care needs to be taken if you want the colour temperatures to be the same or close throughout a room or a whole property. The colour temperature needs to be checked on all fittings or lamps to ensure that they match.
