Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Jul 03, 2011 10:58 am Hi, I've been reading the other threads about GU10 & LEDs but it is VERY confusing! Some people in here are putting GU10 fittings into their new houses, but I've also read other people who say it's a bad choice!! We moved into a (renovated federation) house with GU10 fittings. All had 50W mirabella halogens and all kept blowing quite frequently (Have replaced at least one bulb twice in 3 months!). Celiings are fairly high at 3.5 m and we have 16 downlights in the living area in total. They are all on most evenings from 5-11pm. My other concerns are the fittings are at least 10 years old and the inside fittings (they swivel) are yellowing, and I am not even sure if they have heat caps (and yes, we have insulation). So, I have been investigating and finally found someone in person yesterday who showed me a few downlights. It seems like my options are: 1). Keep GU10 fittings. Use 'good quality' 35w halogens and add heat caps if not there - cheapest upfront but not in terms of power costs 2) Use GU10 LEDs - cheaper ones from $40 but apparently they can have much shorter lifespans than advertised (this store tested them some blew in a few months, I didn't ask which). More expensive (eg phillips with fan) $70 each. 3) Change entire fittings to MR16 (fittings with heat cap $35 each), and use either 20w IRC $8 ea or newer leds for mr16 as they come in (these are slightly cheaper than Gu10 but stil $60 for good quality phillips) 4) Change entire fittings to LED standalone fittings. I was shown trend 13w and crompton 18w and another 9w unsure brand but it was a bit recessed. Range from $130 to $270 per fitting! Most expensive upfront but meant to last for ages however - technology may not be there 'yet' Does anyone have any pros and cons for these options? Do you have better options? We would like a light "most like" halogen - a warmer white eg 2700k. Dimming would be nice, but not essential (the gu10s have burnt out our current dimmers). Should we just "wait" a couple of years till the led fittings or globes are cheaper and more palatable in terms of the look of the light? CFLs are not yet for us as we need the instant light and I haven't found one yet that quite replicates the warmth of halogen... Can all of these options be done on ladder from under the ceiling? We can get into roof but some of the downlights would be VERY difficult to get to as there is an attic conversion over the top... Last question. Do 18w LEDS use almost as much power as the 20W ircs - or is there extra energy involved in the transformer you need for mr16? Otherwise the IRC seems like the cheaper option... Thanks, and sorry if I have posted anything incorrectly, it has been a lot of information to take in! PRices are approx and at a retail store in Sydney (I know it would be cheaper online). M Re: GU10 downlights want lower energy option 2Jul 03, 2011 12:37 pm Hi, Have a look at the Brightgreen D700 This should fit your existing fittings as MR16 and GU10 bulbs are the same size. You will need to get an electrician to install a transformer for you. The bulb costs around $70, so it still isn't going to be cheap once you include the electrician, but I the Brightgreen products have a good warranty and excellent light output. Paul Re: GU10 downlights want lower energy option 3Jul 04, 2011 12:18 pm He's right brightgreen are one of the best and to change them with an electrician they will change 20 per light plus I'm an electrician but it depends if the holes need to be recut ... Etc I wouldn't try change the whole fitting by urself but by the sounds of it looks like those fittings u got are cheap and on there way out. For all your electrical questions please pm me! Happy to help anyone Re: GU10 downlights want lower energy option 4Jul 04, 2011 12:44 pm I've just finished a new house and specified GU10 fittings everywhere. Why? Because these fittings can take everything (halogen, CFL and LED) and don't need a transformer. I've installed CFLs everywhere and one day when the right GU10 LED bulb comes on the market, I'll progressively change over to LED. For your case, 35W IRC halogens will reduce the power consumption and heat generated, while still giving the same light output as a standard 50W halogen. Why not consider 13W CFLs? These give enough light, but do take a minute to warm up and give full light output. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Hi there, We’ve recently had plans approved to add a 1st storey addition to our existing house for a growing family in Sydney. With the current cost of building… 0 4410 I am looking to design an entry door to a lower ground basement that has 2200mm between the external entry height to FFL of the ground floor. This door will provide an… 0 11829 Hi, I'd like some advice on the best option please on the estimate options we've been provided from our builder. This is for the… 0 4105 |