Replacing energy-hungry conventional lamps with LED equivalents makes economic and environmental sense. LED lighting products are energy efficient and cost effective with ultra long lifespans compared to traditional units, so making the decision to change should be an easy one. Choosing a supplier, however, may not be quite so straightforward, especially with no formal performance standards against which to measure.

To help you decide what to look for in a reliable LED supplier, we at LED Eco Lights have produced a 10-point LED Buyers’ Checklist based on background, quality, performance and price.

1- Be responsible: put Health and Safety first and insist on CE and RoHS-certified products only. Using non-compliant CE and RoHS products is also against the law – products lacking a CE mark have not passed basic electrical testing and could pose serious electrical hazards during installation and use.  You can request to see copies of certificates for due diligence and your supplier should be able to provide copies on request. 

2 – Ensure that you are using a supplier who is WEEE compliant: if not, his products are illegal.  WEEE regulations require electrical waste to be disposed of properly and safely. With today’s numerous recycling schemes, it’s easy to comply and there is no acceptable excuse for non-compliance. 

3 – Protect your investment and future proof your purchase: conduct a background check on potential suppliers particularly a basic credit check and a look at their trading history. Financial standing and past performance will be important if you need to make a warranty-based claim later on or if you are anticipating a long-term supply contract.  

4 – Look for a proven track record: ask for feedback and references from previous customers on performance and service, something a good supplier will happily provide.  

Also, ask if you can try before you buy – a reputable company will allow you to trial products. 

5 – Quality of Data: do not rely on ‘grand claims’, ask to see data on product performance where you can see evidence of power consumption, light output, installation guides etc.

6 – Quality of manufacture: make sure the product is mechanically sound. Check that the body is robust and durable and, if relevant, check its IP rating. Also, enquire about stock availability – continuation of supply is essential and suppliers quoting six to eight weeks for stock can probably be avoided. 

7 – Technical Support: how well does the supplier understand the new technology? Buy from an LED lighting specialist – someone who understands the challenges you face when lighting your premises and has experience of delivering LED installations of a similar style and size. 

8 – After Sales Service: does your supplier offer a guarantee and, if so, for how long? LED lighting products offer an ultra-long lifespan, so guarantees should reflect this – a confident manufacturer will provide at least three years and should be able to support the warranty period with proof of live installations that have performed reliably for similar periods of time.

9 – Supplier Credibility: know who you are dealing with.  Manufacturers develop and produce product, and invest heavily in R&D.  Their engineers work within existing parameters of LED technology. Installers may not understand component configurations in detail, and elements that can alter performance often rely on specialised electronics.

10 – Finally, and only when you’re satisfied with everything else, look at pricing: if products seem too cheap, there will be reasons. These could include poor quality components and sub standard manufacturing techniques. Low quality LEDs will cause problems such as inadequate light performance whilst poorly assembled products can pose serious installation and safety hazards. 

LED offers a number of significant benefits, including drastic CO2 and running cost reduction, lower maintenance, long lifespan and instant switch-on.  Another bonus is that the retrofitting options offered by manufacturers such as LED Eco Lights means products fit straight into existing fittings, thereby drastically reducing the scale of the installation as well as the cost. So, having made the decision to switch to LED, our Checklist should help you make a much more informed and confident decision on the right supplier.