Selecting the best wattage for LED panels

LED lighting is often used in place of the more traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and panels we’re all familiar with. As technology has developed, LED lighting has become the most popular replacement for traditional lighting sources in order to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills in both residential and commercial properties.

However, when making the switch to LED lighting, it can be difficult to know what wattage is required to match or better the existing lighting.

In this guide:

Choosing the right wattage when buying an LED panel

Learn more about how to select the correct LED panel wattage

Differences between LED panel wattages and fluorescent tube lights

How do LED panels compare to other lighting sources?

LED panel wattage options

Find out more about the options available in our range of LED panels

The importance of choosing the right wattage when buying an LED panel

Before making the switch to LED panels, there are a number of factors to consider including lumens, colour output and wattage.

If you’re thinking of installing LED panels, it’s important to choose the right wattage for the task, so that you can achieve the correct light output for your application.

Wattage

A watt is a measurement used to describe electric power, with watts referring to the amount of power a product consumes. So, an LED panel with a higher wattage will have a higher energy consumption than an LED panel with a lower wattage.

If you’re looking for high light output and would like to reduce energy consumption, LED panels are an excellent option. For example, an average incandescent bulb may require 6 watts of power. In comparison, an LED bulb with the same output may only require 4.5 watts.

Lumen output and colour temperature

In addition to the wattage of an LED panel, you will also need to consider the LED light lumen output and the colour temperature too.

The lumen scale is used to describe the brightness of light offered, whereas the Kelvin Colour Temperature scale measures the warmth of the light, with higher Kelvin’s offering a cooler light. If you want a bright space with almost blue light, you should opt for an LED light with a high Kelvin rating.

These terms can be difficult to understand initially, as we are so familiar with using wattage as a measure of light produced for standard bulbs, with a higher wattage traditionally meaning more light.

LED lighting is slightly different as lumens are a much more accurate way to measure the brightness emitted from a light source. It’s important to equate your familiarity with the light produced from standard fluorescent panel lights with how much light you can expect from a lower wattage LED panel.

The differences between LED panel wattage's and fluorescent tube lights

Fluorescent tube light	LED
20w	9w
35w	18w
58w	22w
70w	24w

As you can see, LED panels can provide significant savings on energy costs when compared to fluorescent lighting, whilst also providing a brighter environment and reduced maintenance. The information above will provide you with the overview needed to make the switch from fluorescent tube lighting to LED panels without sacrificing on the amount or quality of light and making cost savings.

The size of the LED panel light you require will largely be decided by the existing ceiling grid, with a variety of standard panel sizes available. Each size is available in different wattages so you should be able to find the product to suit your needs.

As an example, a 600x600mm standard ceiling panel would require 4 T8 tubes to produce 3240 lumens at 72w. On the other hand, an LED panel could produce 3500 lumens with just 36w of power.

Although fluorescent tube lighting may emit enough light, over time, the costs can add up and an LED panel could reduce these costs significantly. Not only will you benefit from excellent savings, but the space will also be brighter, and less maintenance will be required when it comes to changing tubes.

The LED panel wattage options

6-watt LED panels

6 watt LED panels tend to be small, round LED panels which can be used as a replacement for traditional GU10 downlights. They are ideal for recessed ceiling lights with a stylish yet energy-efficient design.