Buy LED Lamps (Bulbs)

Why everyone should Buy Small Light Bulbs

LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. In simple terms, this means that light is emitted when a current passes through the bulb’s diode, an electrical component that allows the flow of current in only one direction. 

 Unlike traditional fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs,  LED GU10 Lamps  are directional – they only give off light in a specific direction. By comparison, traditional bulbs emit light (and heat) in all directions. This is one of the reasons GU10 LED’s are more energy-efficient, as all the electricity used is doing what you want it to. 

What does all this mean to you? LED lamps tend to last longer than other bulbs, light a space more efficiently, and are also more versatile than older lighting methods. You can even purchase dimmable LED bulbs that allow you to transform a room from well-lit and functional, to cosy and atmospheric in seconds!

The advantages of Buy Small Light Bulbs compared to traditional light bulbs

You’ve probably heard that changing over to LED lamp bulbs is better for the environment, as they use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs. But did you know that there are also many other advantages of LED light bulbs?

• Durability

On average, an LED light bulb will last around 40 times longer than an equivalent incandescent bulb.

• Saves you money

Replacing all the lights in your home or office with LED lamps can slash your electricity bill by as much as 70%! This is because LEDs don’t create as much wasted light, or lose energy in the form of heat as much as older bulbs do. 

• Environmental friendliness 

Besides using less energy and therefore reducing carbon emissions, LED bulbs don’t contain harmful mercury components, as many fluorescent lights often do. In turn, this also makes them easier to recycle. 

• They work well in both hot and cold climates 

 Older lights, especially fluorescent lights, battle to produce as much light in cold temperatures – this is why LEDs have become the standard for fridges and freezers.  

• LEDs give off very little heat  

Ever burned your hand trying to change a traditional light bulb? That won’t happen with LEDs, which convert almost all the energy they draw into light. 

• Versatile 

LED lamp bulbs can be really, really small (less than a centimetre in length) or used together to create truly massive floodlights. From spotlighting a single piece in a jewellery display to illuminating an entire sports arena, LEDs are incredibly flexible. 

• Safer 

Buy Small Light Bulbs run on a much lower voltage than other lights. This means that even if a space containing them is flooded, the risk of electric shock is way lower too.    

The advantages of dimmable LED light bulbs

Another perk of Led Bulbs on Sale is their dimming capability. An LED light bulb can still function with just 5% of its normal power source. In contrast, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen and halide bulbs have a much smaller range at which they’ll still operate when dimmed. 

Not only that, your energy savings will also be much smaller when you dim these traditional bulbs. That’s because a significant amount of energy is required to ‘kickstart’ the bulb and ignite the gas when you turn it on, regardless of how much you’ve dimmed it.  

In other words, any space where you want to be able to use reduced light will benefit from having dimmable LED light bulbs installed. However, it’s important to note that not all LED bulbs are dimmable, as they need a special current regulator component. 

You can find more information about identifying dimmable and non-dimmable LED lights in the FAQ section below.

ED Lamps FAQ

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive about LED lamps, dimmable LED downlight bulbs, and load-shedding light bulbs in South Africa. 

Can I use an LED bulb in an old lamp? 

As long as the socket is the same size and type, (bayonet/screw for example) you should be able to use an LED bulb in any existing light fitting. Older lamps and light fittings were designed for higher wattages than an LED bulb needs to operate, but because LEDs have built-in limits, this shouldn’t be a problem. 

What are the 3 types of LED light bulbs?

The three types of LED light bulbs are DIP (Dual In-Line Package), SMD (Surface Mounted Diode) and COB (Chip On Board). 

DIP LEDs are the oldest of the three, very small, and normally used in electronics – such as the light which shows your laptop is charging, or the indicator lights on your car’s dashboard. 

SMD LEDs combine a number of LED chips on a circuit board, and are particularly useful when you want to display a number of colours. 

COB LEDs are the most recent of the three types. While they can’t be used to display lots of colours, they are the most energy-efficient LEDs yet, with the highest brightness-to-energy output. 

Which is better, LED or bulb?

LEDs last longer, and are 80% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs (and therefore more cost-effective) while still offering the same (or more) amount of light. They’re also far more compatible with smart home improvements. Many countries are starting to phase out the older types of light bulbs altogether, so it’s worth getting familiar with them now.

Which watt LED bulb is best for home use?

If you're used to buying traditional bulbs, then you'd be forgiven for finding the wattages of LED bulbs a bit confusing at first! Because they use so much less energy, a ‘low’ wattage LED will emit a lot more light than its incandescent counterpart. It’s actually more helpful to look at the lumens, which will tell you how bright the bulb is.

Here’s a quick reference chart to help you compare:

Incandescent bulb	LED bulb	Lumens produced
150W	25 – 28W	2600
100W	16 – 20W	1600
75W	9 – 13W	1100
60W	8 – 12W	800
40W	6 – 9W	450

Is it worth replacing bulbs with LED?  

It’s true that LED bulbs are slightly more expensive to purchase, but you only need to crunch a few numbers to see they’re definitely worth it in terms of energy savings. This is especially true if you have lights which are on all the time, when an LED can pay for itself in just one month. Typically, a 13W LED repays you what it cost in less than 5 months, and when you consider how much longer that bulb will last, the savings become pretty extraordinary. So yes, it’s well worth it replacing your old, outdated bulbs with modern LEDs.

Can any LED light be dimmable?

No, only dimmable LED light bulbs should be used with dimmer switches. While most new LED lamp bulbs are dimmable, you’ll need to check the packaging on older LEDs to make sure they’re suitable. 

What happens if you use non dimming LED bulbs on dimmer switches?

Non-dimming LED bulbs are only designed to work with an on/off setting, so the most likely outcome is that they just won’t work if you use them with a dimmer switch. However, you can damage the bulb, so it’s best to make sure you’ve got the right dimmable LED light, or they will flicker badly.

Do LED bulbs need special dimmers?

Yes, LED bulbs do require a specialised LED dimmer module. 

How do I know if my LED bulbs are dimmable? 

Unfortunately, you can’t tell just by looking at them. You’ll need to check the packaging, or get in touch with the manufacturer to confirm. 

Why do LED bulbs not work in some lamps?

As with all light bulbs, LED lights won’t work if there are poor quality electrical circuits or some kind of damage to the light fitting wiring. In the case of screw bulbs, screwing the bulb in too tightly may also cause the bulb not to work. 

Find the right LED light bulbs in South Africa

Now that you're an expert in all things LED, you're no doubt keen to start swapping out those old energy-guzzling bulbs for efficient, long-lasting, and cost-effective LEDs. Well, you're in the right place!

Plumstead Electrical has a dazzling variety of LED light bulbs to choose from. Whether you're looking for bulbs that fit in with a particular décor style, or powerful lighting to fulfil a specific function, we’ve got you covered. 

A good place to start narrowing your search is deciding…

• Do you want a very cool light, use daylite lamps (Kelvin=6000), or a cool light, use cool white lamps (Kelvin=4000),  or mellow warm light, use warm white lamps (Kelvin=3000)  
• Would you like to be able to dim the lighting in the room? 
• How bright of a light do you need? 
• What size and shape bulb would you prefer? 

Not sure what you need? Then please feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly staff, or pop into one of our branches in Diep River, Parklands, or Brackenfell. 

You can even order or buy, via this online shop, Buy Lights Online, your standard and dimmable LED lights right here on our website, and we’ll deliver them right to your door. The Plumstead Electrical Group– the best place to buy LED light bulbs in South Africa! 

Please note that most of the fittings on this site do not have the LED Lamps(Bulbs) included, so be sure to  add lamps to your cart, before checkout.