With CCT technology LED lamps you enter the world of innovative lighting that allows you to give completeness and personality to any decor simply by using an App or a remote control.
CCT stands for Color Changing Technology and allows you to vary the color temperature of your LEDs on the fly, going from warm light to natural and cold light, without having to change devices.
Convenient right?
CCT technology gives you the flexibility to decide what type of color temperature (expressed in Kelvin units) looks best in your space, even after you've purchased your LED lamp.
To give you an example , when you think of a warm color temperature, picture the inviting glow of a fire in the fireplace or a nice, high-end restaurant with soft, classy lighting.
Why color temperature matters
Think of color temperature as something that can affect your moods and emotions. And even affect your natural sleep cycle.
Think about the light emitted by your LED lamps.
Each color temperature that characterizes an LED gives light its own look and feel.
And you'll find, as you read this article, that some colors can work better than others when you use them in specific environments.
What are the color temperatures of LEDs?
You can find LEDs in 4 main shades, each with a unique Kelvin reference:
- Very warm white (below 2700K)
- Warm White (in the range of 2700-3200K)
- Natural light (in the range 4000-4900 K)
- Cool white (in the range 5000-6500K)
Color temperature scale. Image Credits: Hołek, CC BY-SA 2.5 PL , via Wikimedia Commons
In practice, the higher the value expressed in Kelvin (K), the colder the light emitted by the LED.
How to choose the color temperature with CCT technology
If you want to install a LED lamp to make the environments in which you live or work unique and emotional, our advice will come in handy.
Let's start by telling you that many people prefer to illuminate their interiors with warmer tones and instead reserve the colder ones for laboratories, garages and outdoor areas.
To help you choose your LED lamps, here are some "lighting design" tips .
Warm white: for more intimate and welcoming tones
Warm white and very warm white create inviting and welcoming shades reminiscent of the traditional incandescent light bulbs of yesteryear.
Calm and relax.
You can use warm white in areas dedicated to your relaxation, such as the living room, dining room and bedroom.
Also suitable for your restaurant.
Daylight: neutral and natural
Daylight has an effect very close to natural light and you can use it in any environment thanks to its neutrality.
It's crisp and clear
Ideal for your basement areas, porches and garages, or other places that don't get a lot of natural light.
You can use this type of lighting even if you need security lights, or in your office or store.
Cool white - a clean, modern vibe
Cold white is perfect if you want to light up kitchens and bathrooms, because of its clear and clean tones. Especially if you have plenty of natural light available.
It gives environments a clean, minimal, clinical and sterile look.
You can combine it very well with contemporary decor and your most modern spaces.
This shade is also suitable for commercial and industrial environments or if you want surveillance lighting.
Keep in mind that in workspaces, a cooler white can boost productivity.
Lighting that enhances your decor
Now that you have seen what power the color temperature of an LED lamp has, try to imagine the spaces you want to light up.
Consider the finishes and color palette of each room.
Reds, oranges, yellows and woods appear in all their glory under warm white light.
Conversely, blue and gray elements, under lamps of that color temperature, may appear flattened while white surfaces feel a bit muddy compared to daylight.
On the other hand, cool white is capable of doing absolute justice to any blue and gray color and makes white colors look sharper.
Cool white doesn't work well on reds and yellows because it can make them appear brownish. And it has the effect of dulling the wood.
What atmosphere do you want to create?
Think about the rooms you live in and imagine how you want to feel.
- Want to invite people into an intimate setting?
- Do you need to receive people in a welcoming room?
- Want to keep employees or students alert?
- Do you prefer to create an energetic and clean atmosphere?
Or target your audience and think about how you want them to feel when they're in your facility.
What kind of colors will you feature in your space?
As we have already indicated to you, if you have blue, silver or white colors in your lighting areas, you may want to consider cooler color temperatures.
If, on the other hand, you have wood tones, gold or red, try LED lamps with warmer color temperatures.
Of course, there are exceptions to the rule , it's often a good idea to select a color temperature that complements the color of the environment.
Also know that if your space has neutral tones, the color you give with lighting can be able to change the atmosphere from warm and inviting to energetic and active.
As a final tip, don't mix color temperatures in a room.
When you've decided which temperature to go for, stick with it and make sure all LED lights and bulbs in that space are compatible in color temperature values.
And don't forget the lights integrated into the furnishing elements, such as kitchen hoods or bathroom mirrors.
Examples of color temperature by application
Here is a simple table that can help you choose the color temperature of your CCT technology LED lamp, based on the application you need.
Application: outdoor site lighting, parking lot, security lighting
This is an application where efficiency is typically the priority over achievable atmosphere. You can choose LED lamps with a color temperature of 3000-4000K although cooler color temperatures in the 4000-5000K range tend to be more common
Application: general retail
Keep in mind that choosing the right color temperature for retail depends on your brand, the mood you want to create, and even the location of the venue. Many retailers prefer lighting that falls in the 2700K to 4000K range. Some also choose to mix color temperatures.
Application: Jewelry display, especially diamond or silver
In this case you can think of cooler color temperatures, in the range of 3500-4500K, to make all the detail and brilliance look great.
On the other hand, for displaying mixed metal jewellery, you can alternate between hot (2700K) and cold (4000K) temperatures depending on how you want your jewels to stand out.
Application: high-end restaurants
Warmer color temperatures (1800-2700K) tend to work well.
They are also good for take away or take away but with less warm tones. If the latter, consider lighting in the 2700K to 3500K range.
Application: hotels
Similar to retail, hotel lighting can vary significantly by brand, mood and location. That said, warmer color temperatures, in the 1800-3000K range, work well in hotel lobbies.
The lights in the hallways and common areas should match each other's lights. For bedrooms, try the 2700-3000K range, which creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Application: office space
Neutral to cool color temperatures are generally suitable in offices. Try to choose LED lamps with a color temperature of 3000-4000 K.
Application: hospitals and health care
Cooler color temperatures (3500K to 5000K) are useful if you want to create a clean, crisp atmosphere. They also work to signal an alert in particular areas of the hospital or in outpatient clinics.
Application: school cafeterias and dining rooms
Warmer color temperatures tend to work well in dining rooms. Then consider lighting in the 2700-3500K range.
Common areas and classrooms require cooler color temperatures (3500-5000K) as they serve to create an energetic atmosphere and promote alertness.
Conclusions
You will have understood that a LED lamp must be chosen with care, thinking about how every detail of your environment is made and the atmosphere you want to create.
CCT technology helps you because with the same product you can vary the temperature of the light using our Smart Intec App or a remote control or switch.
In short, you can have the kind of light you want, when you want it.
If you are interested in having advice from our experts or learning more about our range of CCT technology LED lighting, see the FT catalogue .
You will find an innovative place, with the values of your home, full of technological and design proposals that can improve your life.
You can also find different offers , designed to help you with the energy crisis and the expensive bill.
We can help you invent the right atmosphere in your favorite places.
