Anybody here gone to LED Garage lighting?

[pwd72s]

2 car garage currently lit by two 8' fluorescent fixtures, two tubes each, 75 w. tubes.

I'm wondering if going LED would yield brighter light? Home Depot website lists 4' fixtures, so maybe buy 4 of those?

Anybody here been there done that? Open to suggestions...

[stealthn]

My buddy showed me his LED after he replaced tubes, about 80% brighter, so now I'm doing mine.

[MBAtarga]

I suspect that the 4' fixtures will even fit for the ride home in a Mustang, unlike the 8' variety.

[OldSpool87]

Yes. I did LED bay style (2) hung appx 18ft high. My garage is roughly 18 x 18. It's like daylight. The caveat is shadows. Additional work light(s) help greatly.

I also swapped in LED tubes in regular fluorescent fixtures. You just need to be mindful of ballast requirements or lack thereof.

[Robert Adams]

Beware, as I understand it the really flat LED squares and rectangles need to be hard wired from the back, there are no provisions for hookup on the their sides. So if you are doing an installation on an existing drywall ceiling with no existing electrical box you may not be able to hook them up unless there is access to the back from an open floor attic or second floor. The 4' & double 4' LED tube lights can be hooked up either from the back or side. They are fantastic though, almost feels like a sky light.

[red-beard]

LEDs are far more efficient than any other present lighting. Make sure you pick the right color temperature for the application. For a garage, the harsher "cool" lights will provide more Lumens per Watt.

One of the best thing about LEDs is they use multiple LEDs to provide the light. Unless the driver dies, loss of a couple of the LEDs will barely affect output.

[Nickshu]

I have the 4' LEDs that look like regular hanging fluorescent fixtures. They are awesome.

[SpyderMike]

Home Depot has 4 footers for $25 each that can be daisy chained, hung or flush mounted. I bought 8 for my 3 car garage and it is really bright with no shadows. No regrets at all.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

I have the 4' LEDs that look like regular hanging fluorescent fixtures. They are awesome.

Same thing. Got em at Costco. Around $30 each.

The light output is much, much better, brighter and whiter (perfect for a garage, esp. a working garage). They never go out, no humming, flickering, etc. ever.

I can't believe anyone would use regular 4' flourescent lights in their garage anymore.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

2 car garage currently lit by two 8' fluorescent fixtures, two tubes each, 75 w. tubes.

I'm wondering if going LED would yield brighter light? Home Depot website lists 4' fixtures, so maybe buy 4 of those?

Anyways, yes, 4 of those 4' LED fixtures is good for a 2 car. Since they use practically no energy and last forever, you could go with 6 if you really wanted it lit up. But even 4 will be a huge improvement over what you have now.

[regency]

we converted our shop to LED's a few years ago. Everyone likes them and they seem fine. However, our SMUD ( local utility ) is about the same as before.

Steve

73 911T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by red-beard

LEDs are far more efficient than any other present lighting. Make sure you pick the right color temperature for the application. For a garage, the harsher "cool" lights will provide more Lumens per Watt.

One of the best thing about LEDs is they use multiple LEDs to provide the light. Unless the driver dies, loss of a couple of the LEDs will barely affect output.

Very good advice here. Color temperature is important, different temps for different living areas. Otherwise walking into areas of your house can be like walking into a 7-11 at 3am after leaving a dimly lit bar.

[pen15]

I have looked at 4' led strip lights at Costco and Home Depot and none of them even come close to the output of a 54 watt T5ho bulb. I have all led in my home but have still not found any decent fluorescent replacements for the garage

[gshase]

Just do it......You will see the difference

[rusnak]

I installed the type that uses 6 tubes (T5 I believe). I used two fixtures inside, and two more in the barn area. Shiny mirror-like backing to help concentrate the light.

Insane amount of light. Just from a functionality standpoint, far superior to anything else.

[wildthing]

I don't see a difference between the Costco ones and the regular fluorescent lights, but I got them anyway as they were on sale.

[pwd72s]

Thanks everybody...I do believe I want to do it.

[RF5BPilot]

I got tube replacements from Amazon for existing fixtures and additional complete units from Costco.

Better light, better coverage, no flickering. Very pleased.

[speedster911]

Installing the 4" Halo cans in my new garage. The light bulbs from HD are expensive - 25 -35 each. Broad range of color spectrum. I am installing 12 of them - an overkill but I am getting older and cannot see as well as when I was a young pup.

[berettafan]

linkable LED's at HD or Sams Club. Perfect for garage use.