Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 06, 2010 8:23 pm We are tossing up between getting the halogen down lights and the energy saving down lights (not led, cant afford leds). l know that the energy saving down lights are not as bright but is it fairly noticeable? How much do you save on electricity using the energy saving bulbs? Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 2Apr 06, 2010 8:37 pm Hi, In short - you should save a lot! A normal Energy Saving CFL is around 9-13w (11w is pretty standard). Most Halogen downligts are 50w. Plus, if your halogen were MR16 12v then you would also have a transformer that most likely uses another 10w or so. So CFL would be saving around 70-80% on power usage. However - as you have noted CFL are not as bright as 50w Halogen - and you may need a few extra lights - but still there is substantial energy savings overall. I personally think lots of 50w Halogen is way to bright for living areas - and that a CFL downlights can be more subtle and appropriate. I am not sure where you are, but most State legislate (e.g. with NSW BASIX) that you must have either CFL or LED as the primary source of lighting for a new house..... Regards, hills_builder Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 3Apr 06, 2010 8:41 pm Thanks for your response. WOW theres that much difference in the power usage. We were planning on putting in downlights in after handover. Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 4Apr 07, 2010 1:47 am Personally when I looked at them I didn't like the energy saving ones, they just didn't have a natural light feeling. I suppose it was like all energy efficient bulbs with that bright white light. Guess it depends on where you want them, they aren't something I'd want in a bedroom or home theatre or any where 'intimate' that's where you would notice them imo. But if you can get to a good lighting shop or display home with them, and try and view them in the dark, you will get a better idea. But ultimately it's personal choice and how you feel about the way they light a room Cheers, Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 5Apr 07, 2010 3:14 pm karratha they just didn't have a natural light feeling. That is why I always get warm white colour (around 3000 kelvins) for bedrooms etc rather than a whiter light (around 4000 or so kelvins).... I agree...the best way forward would be to go to a lighting shop and get them to show you the difference between the different wattage and colour options. Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 6Apr 07, 2010 3:22 pm we are using these http://www.cromptonlighting.com/cat07/s ... 2&subcat=1 you can get them in multiple sizes so you get to choose how bright you want it to be according to what you use the area for. Ie, task lighting would need to be brighter than mood lighting. They take two CFL globes, and you can choose between the bright white or the warm white. It has been quite a while since choosing CFL has meant living in something that has the stark feeling of a hotel bathroom or hospital operating theatre. Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 7Apr 07, 2010 5:39 pm depends on what you want to use the d/l for. where you need bright focused light - a halogen is a good idea. where you want the light spread around more diffusely - then CFLs are good. try going into a Beacon lighting store and asking to go into their dark room and get them to show you the difference. I have a variety of halogen and CFLs depending on the task After 4 years - we're in! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 8Apr 07, 2010 6:51 pm Thanks for everyones advice on the downlights. l have been to couple of lighting stores including and it is really hard to tell whether the halogen or the downlight would be suitable because they only have one of each on display. l dont think l have ever been to a lighting store where they have the whole room filled with different downlights to compare. We are in sydney so any suggestions of places which have a dark room would be appreciated. Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 9Apr 07, 2010 7:23 pm karratha Personally when I looked at them I didn't like the energy saving ones, they just didn't have a natural light feeling. I suppose it was like all energy efficient bulbs with that bright white light. Guess it depends on where you want them, they aren't something I'd want in a bedroom or home theatre or any where 'intimate' that's where you would notice them imo. But if you can get to a good lighting shop or display home with them, and try and view them in the dark, you will get a better idea. But ultimately it's personal choice and how you feel about the way they light a room Cheers, As said, you can get energy saving globes in both white and what i call a more yellow colour. I cannot stand the white ones either! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 10Apr 07, 2010 7:46 pm Just be careful with energy saving downlights - the cost of the downlight may far outweigh the potential cost benefits of running them. Some LED lights I have seen are nearly $100 per downlight - thats about 80% higher than the equivalent halogen, and it takes a lot of kw/h to get to $80 of electricity use per light (more then a couple years at 4-hours a day!). P1T Read about my building experience: http://secondhomebuild.blogspot.com Dale Alcock Homes - 'The Nautilus' in Bletchley Park, Southern River - WA Read about my Clipsal C-BUS Home Automation Project: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=20854 Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 11Apr 08, 2010 10:20 am janenguyen We are in sydney so any suggestions of places which have a dark room would be appreciated. Beacon Penrith definitely. Though I think Castle Hill may have one - call ahead and ask After 4 years - we're in! Re: What type of downlights did you go for and why? 12Apr 08, 2010 10:17 pm Thanks stonecutter. l will definately check it out. Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17728 Natural stone tiles like slate, travertine, and limestone add a timeless, elegant look to… 0 22268 2 1583 |