Light color and brightness: How to choose the perfect LED fluorescent tube

Choosing the right LED fluorescent tube is crucial for the atmosphere and functionality of a room. Whether in the office, workshop or living room - the right light color and brightness not only influence the appearance, but also the well-being and productivity. But what should you look out for when choosing an LED fluorescent tube? In this article, we take a detailed look at the most important aspects.

Light color basics: What does Kelvin (K) mean?

The light color of an LED fluorescent tube is specified in Kelvin (K) and describes the color temperature of the light. The lower the Kelvin value, the warmer and redder the light appears. A light color of around 2700 K to 3000 K is referred to as warm white and is reminiscent of the light from classic incandescent lamps. If the Kelvin value rises to around 4000 K, this is referred to as neutral white light, which offers a balanced mixture of warm and cool light components. From around 5000 K and above, the light is referred to as cool white or daylight white. This light has a high blue component and appears particularly bright and clear.

Choosing the right color temperature depends heavily on the intended use. While warm white light creates a cozy atmosphere, cool white light ensures a high level of concentration and alertness. Neutral white is often a good compromise, especially for working environments.

Luminous intensity and lumens: how bright should your LED fluorescent tube be?

While the wattage was used as a measure of brightness for classic incandescent lamps, LEDs are based on the lumen figure. Lumen (lm) indicates how much light a light source actually emits. The higher the lumen value, the brighter the LED fluorescent tube.

For living spaces such as kitchens or living rooms, LED fluorescent tubes with around 1000 to 2000 lumens are usually sufficient. In work areas such as offices or workshops, higher brightness values of 3000 lumens and more are recommended. In warehouses or production halls, particularly bright models with over 5000 lumens are often used to ensure uniform and powerful illumination.

Warm white, neutral white or cool white: Which light color suits which area of application?

The right light color depends on the use of the room. Warm white light with around 2700 to 3000 Kelvin is ideal for living areas, restaurants or hotel rooms, as it creates a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. In bedrooms and living rooms, this light is particularly pleasant and creates a homely atmosphere.

Neutral white light with around 4000 Kelvin is ideal for work areas, kitchens or bathrooms. It provides a natural brightness that is not too warm and not too cool and ensures good color rendering. It is often used in offices, doctors' surgeries or stores as it provides pleasant yet functional lighting.

Cool white light with 5000 Kelvin or more is preferred in workshops, laboratories or production facilities. It increases concentration and enables precise color perception, which is particularly advantageous in technical professions or in medicine. This light color is also frequently used in warehouses or parking garages.

Energy efficiency and longevity: why LEDs are a smart choice

LED fluorescent tubes save a considerable amount of energy compared to classic fluorescent tubes and light bulbs. They require up to 60% less electricity than conventional fluorescent tubes and generally last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours. By comparison, a classic fluorescent tube often only has a service life of 10,000 to 15,000 hours.

Thanks to their lower energy consumption, LED fluorescent tubes not only reduce electricity costs, but also make an active contribution to environmental protection. They also contain no mercury or other harmful substances found in conventional fluorescent tubes. This makes them a sustainable and safe alternative.

Color rendering index (CRI): How natural do colors look under LED light?

The color rendering index (CRI) indicates how realistically colors are reproduced under an artificial light source. The CRI value is on a scale of 0 to 100, with a value of 100 corresponding to perfect color rendering - similar to natural daylight.

For everyday use, LED fluorescent tubes with a CRI value of at least 80 are recommended. In areas such as photo studios, print shops or medical facilities, where exact color rendering is essential, CRI values of 90 or higher are required. High color rendering ensures that colors appear vivid and natural and that no unwanted color distortions occur.

The right LED fluorescent tube for the office, workshop or living room

Depending on the area of application, there are different requirements for an LED fluorescent tube. In the office, the light should have a pleasant yet stimulating effect. A neutral white light color of around 4000 Kelvin with a high number of lumens ensures a productive working environment.

In the workshop, sufficiently bright lighting is crucial for carrying out precise work. Here, cool white LED fluorescent tubes with a high lumen value and a CRI of at least 80 are a good choice.

In the living room, a cozy atmosphere is particularly important. Warm white LED fluorescent tubes below 3000 Kelvin create a cozy atmosphere, while dimmable versions offer additional flexibility. In the kitchen or bathroom, neutral white lighting can also be useful to create a clear and friendly atmosphere.

Tips for installing and converting classic fluorescent tubes to LEDs

Converting from classic fluorescent tubes to LED models is relatively easy if you keep a few things in mind. There are two main types of LED fluorescent tubes: Models for operation with conventional ballasts (KVG/VVG) and those for electronic ballasts (EVG). Some LED tubes do not require a ballast at all and are connected directly to the mains supply.

When replacing, you should check whether the new LED tubes are compatible with the existing ballast. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the ballast with an LED starter or to remove it completely. Direct wiring without a ballast is often the most efficient solution as it further reduces power consumption.

Attention should also be paid to the correct socket. The most common sockets for fluorescent tubes are G13 (T8 tubes) and G5 (T5 tubes). The new LED tube must match the existing socket in order to be installed without any problems.

Choosing the right LED fluorescent tube depends on several factors, including light color, brightness, color rendering and energy efficiency. While warm white light creates a cozy atmosphere, cool white light is ideal for work areas where a high level of concentration is required. Compared to conventional fluorescent tubes, LEDs offer a longer service life, higher energy efficiency and a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Anyone wishing to replace a classic fluorescent tube with an LED version should find out in advance about compatibility with the existing ballast. With the right choice and professional installation, you can not only improve the quality of lighting, but also save electricity costs in the long term and make a contribution to environmental protection.