Downlights - How much to pay??

oznow · Oct 27, 2007 7:33 pm

I am not sure if i was influenced by previous posts on the light quality of the GU10. I went to several lighting stores, and all them said the same thing. One suggest to install instead a slightly bigger (recessed) downlight: regular compact fluorescent downlight. With this one can put regular 20watt regular cf.
one model is from www.sunnylighting.com.au model 59633

My question is why dont people install the regular CFL as it has better light quality (brighter) ?

Thanks.
Ozn

DeeElle · Oct 28, 2007 11:33 am

McReidy

We also live in Adelaide and have received several quotes for installation of downlights in our new home. It seems that the price varies somewhere between $100 per light to $70 per light. These prices include individual transformers for each light. Some builders will install a cheaper system that runs several downlights off one transformer. We have been told this is a less effective system, particularly if the transformer blows.

From our experience, I think you have a good price from your neighbour.

We are still looking into the LED options.

Cheers

installation inspector · Nov 13, 2007 5:50 pm

McReidy

We have a large L shaped lounge/living/dining area that is currently lit by only 2 normal lights and is quite dark..

Have you considered the option of replacing the standard globes (assuming they're 60W incandescent) with 100W-equivalent CF globes (that would be 18W CF)?

Much cheaper option that installing downlights, and you'll save a bucket in electricity bills.

Plus, if the electrician over-does the number of downlights, you'll also find they tend to heat up the room considerably (especially in summer!).

I have the same layout lounge-dining as yourself and I put some in my place when I moved in and to be honest, we rarely use them now - in the lounge room we tend to use a single uplight (from IKEA) with a 15W CF globe in it - it has much less light than 8x50W downlights, but is still enough to read with, and uses heaps less electricity.

Michelle · Nov 13, 2007 5:55 pm

Good point installation inspector

…..I won’t even turn my down lights on in summer when it’s really hot….they create so much heat!

I only use at the best of time lamps, up lamps (floor lamps) and small decretive lamps.