Energy Saving Downlights

S

setanta78

Registered User
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We recently began changing the existing bulbs in our home to the energy saving type.

We am now considering replacing the existing low voltage 35w halogen downlighters to the 11w mains voltage type. I have 17 downlights to replace.

My husband is against the idea, as the he feels that while our ESB bill may be a bit cheaper, the quality of light from these bulbs is poor.

Can anybody tell me what type of savings can I expect to see from these lights?
Also, is it only a matter of time before we all have to convert to these energy saving bulbs? :confused:
 
I did exactly that and my wife complains incessantly about the poor light. This is true CFL's aswell though they have been getting better.

The best ones I've seen (in terms of output and style, because damn, some of those greener bulbs ugly) are from... [broken link removed]

Best of luck!
 
What you need to do is find out not only the brightness/lumens and colour temperature, but also the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) / Ra of the bulbs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_rendering_index

The closer to 100 the better. Now this is were the problem starts, your cheap CFL's generally don't give this value. From memory an expensive Megaman GU10 [broken link removed] has a CRI of 82, which is not great, but it probably the best currently available. Well at least they publish their CRI :)
 
We are looking at installing quite a few downlights in our new build. We are currently considering using the Megaman GU10 units (warm white).

Does anyone have experience of these units and if so are they good?

How does the warm white light compare to an ordinary halogen downlight?

Are there any better units that we should be considering?
 
i have almost 50 of the megaman lights in our new build and have no problem with the quality of the light. the 2 problems i have are ; 1. bulb failure rate, 7 in 2 years. thankfully all replaced by the main distributor as the electrician and his supplier did not want to know and at €17 each a bit pricey to replace. 2. the drafts that come through the light fittings are unreal, if only i could turn back the clock.
 
Dunnangall said:
... the drafts that come through the light fittings are unreal, if only i could turn back the clock.
Click to expand...
If we are on the same sheet here, the lights you describe are normally supplied with canisters for the attic space and a two-part fitting mechanism, including a gasket, that "sandwiches" the plaster-board ceiling between the two parts, preventing draughts.

Note these fittings are specifically for low energy bulbs which generate minimal heat and cannot be used with normal light fittings.
 
nonsequitir said:
I did exactly that and my wife complains incessantly about the poor light. This is true CFL's aswell though they have been getting better.

The best ones I've seen (in terms of output and style, because damn, some of those greener bulbs ugly) are from... [broken link removed]

Best of luck!
Click to expand...

I bought some of these & have stopped using them as the standard of light degrades after a few months & they also over time take longer & longer to get to full brightness. Gonna wait a bit longer until the technology gets better (most likely with LED GU10's) & the pricing comes way down.
 
Good man John Gormley -- he wants to blind the people for the sake of his own environmental desires. This proposed change over has had no thoughts put into it. I for one will not be changing any of my internal lights for the sake of the Green Party. Obviously Green Brains for Green Parties.
 
mathepac said:
If we are on the same sheet here, the lights you describe are normally supplied with canisters for the attic space and a two-part fitting mechanism, including a gasket, that "sandwiches" the plaster-board ceiling between the two parts, preventing draughts.

I am delighted to hear that such a fitting exists. my fittings are just pushed up in to the hole and basically are sprung in so they dont drop out. infact after a shower you can see the steam rising up through the bulb holders. i even said to the electrician at the time that it sounded mad that you insulate floors, walls, ceilings etc. and then you cut holes in the ceiling to let heat out.
Click to expand...
 
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