So soon enough I’ll be moving into a small studio and was wondering. Would a long LED strip through my Studio be cheaper than the actual lights? For sure I’d know their gonna be more fun but looking for an alternative to save money on electricity.

  • Kethal@lemmy.world
    4·
    6 months ago

    I don’t see numbers on efficiency, but LED strips need AC to DC power supplies to operate. New ones are pretty efficient, but I don’t know how you’d ensure that you’re buying an efficient one.

    For efficiency, buying the LED bulbs that fit standard sockets is probably the best way to go. Maybe you could get a really efficient power supply to maximize efficiency with some strips, but I doubt you’ll do much better than getting regular bulbs. You’re better off investing time and money into other things. Insulation is usually lacking. It sounds like you’re renting so that’s possibly not an option.

    • glimse@lemmy.world
      3·
      6 months ago

      Don’t LED bulbs have transformers built in? As far as I know, all LEDs run off DC power

      • DocMcStuffin@lemmy.world
        3·
        6 months ago

        LEDs are diodes; so, yes they need DC power. They don’t necessarily need a transformer. Modern bulbs use an integrated circuit with some discrete components that handle the conversion. Some cheaper bulbs use a capacitive dropper circuit with a bridge rectifier; they’re not as efficient. The really cheap ones omit the capacitor in the rectifier; they flicker.

          • DocMcStuffin@lemmy.world
            2·
            6 months ago

            When I took electronics, transformer meant a pair of coils of wire wrapped around some magnetic material. Their purpose is to step the voltage up or down. You still need components to convert from AC to DC. The easy way to do that is a rectifier with a capacitor that holds the charge.

            • glimse@lemmy.world
              1·
              6 months ago

              Makes sense, I never looked up the definition and my only experience with them is with power bricks so I had the wrong idea

      • Kethal@lemmy.world
        2·
        6 months ago

        Yes, and I don’t think you’re going to be able to put together any system that is better than what those have built it. I am all but certain that it’s technically possible, since although the ones in a decent bulb are probably pretty good, I doubt they’re that close to peak efficiency. However, just using a different wall wart one with strips is at best going to be very slightly better, and you’d need a good bit of research to find a high efficiency option, and it probably would cost more for a fairly small gain. You’d be better off spending the time and money on easy, sure-shot things, like better insulation or more efficient appliances.

        It would be nice if someone worked out a centralized high efficiency AC to DC converter for all the low voltage LED lights in a house, or if you could start with DC, like solar, and convert just the voltage. There’s probably a decent efficiency gain with those options, but it’s not something someone is going to work out for a studio.