Energy & LED Upgrades

This collection is about replacing older lighting with LED and making small changes that trim household energy use. It includes A21 and BR30/BR40 LED bulbs, retrofit recessed downlights from Sunco Lighting and Amico, slim flush and semi-flush LED ceiling fixtures from hykolity and others, plug-in and hardwired under-cabinet bars, dusk-to-dawn night lights and LED step lights. Dimmable floor lamps from EDISHINE and Brightech are here as well, along with a programmable digital thermostat.

For recessed retrofits, measure the inside diameter of the existing can (4, 5 or 6 inches) and check whether the kit screws into the old E26 socket or mounts with a junction box directly in the ceiling. IC-rated fixtures may touch insulation, which matters below an attic. Compare lumens with the bulb being replaced, and pick colour temperature deliberately; selectable 5CCT fixtures let you choose from roughly 2700K to 5000K after installation. If you dim, confirm the fixture is dimmable and use an LED-rated dimmer to avoid flicker. A colour rendering index (CRI) of 90 or above shows skin tones and finishes more naturally.

The largest savings come from replacing incandescent and halogen bulbs that burn for hours each day, such as kitchen, porch and hallway lights. Turn power off at the panel before touching any hardwired fixture, and look for a CSA or cUL mark when choosing products that connect to house wiring. Before swapping a thermostat, confirm it suits your heating: electric baseboard heaters, common in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, need a line-voltage thermostat, not a 24 V model.

Frequently asked questions

Which LED bulb replaces my old incandescent bulb?

Match lumens rather than watts. Roughly 450 lumens replaces a 40 W bulb, 800 lumens a 60 W, 1,100 lumens a 75 W, 1,600 lumens a 100 W and about 2,600 lumens a 150 W. Then match the base, such as E26 or E12, and the shape, since BR30 and BR40 floods are made for recessed cans.

What does IC-rated mean on recessed lighting?

IC stands for insulation contact. An IC-rated fixture can be buried in or touch ceiling insulation without overheating, which is important in top-floor ceilings below an attic. Non-IC fixtures need clearance from insulation. Many slim LED wafer lights carry an IC rating because they run cooler than old incandescent cans.

Why do my LED lights flicker or buzz on a dimmer?

Older dimmers were designed for the high load of incandescent bulbs and often cannot regulate the small load of LEDs. Use a dimmer rated for LED, sometimes labelled CL or ELV, and check that the bulb or fixture is marked dimmable. Adjusting the dimmer's low-end trim setting also clears up flicker at the bottom of the range.

Do LED bulbs work in cold outdoor fixtures?

Yes. LEDs start instantly and perform well in cold weather, unlike compact fluorescents, which are slow to brighten below freezing. What matters outdoors is the fixture's damp or wet location rating and whether the bulb is approved for enclosed fixtures. Heat, not cold, is what shortens LED life.