Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Oct 02, 2008 4:00 pm Hi! I want downlights - but I am trying to minimise where they are used. I have been told that with eco downlights (whatever that means - feel free to shed the light on that one!) you need more. I'm just wondering what eco options are out there. Is LED the best way? If so, are costs prohibitive?
Looking forwward to answers!!! Thanks! Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 2Oct 02, 2008 9:20 pm LED is still on the high side in purchase costs, but it's a one time cost so long as you do not let them overheat they should last.
The other option is compact fluro downlights. Be careful - some people think that a 35 watt halogen - as opposed to a 50 watt halogen, is an eco downloght. NOT the case. It's a 35 watt bulb so it draws lots of power. LED is less than 4 watts typically, and compact fluros are around 11 watts. each And yes you do need more and they do shine a different light, but even at double the amount - it is still less power. and in essence 1.5 times as many seems to be what some people install, but think really hard - do you need that much light anyway. Steve Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 3Oct 02, 2008 10:16 pm Hi Yak_Chat or anyone with any knowledge on this subject, I have found the following LED for example : http://www.todae.com.au/Products/ledlig ... downlight/ and was wondering if this means I could almost use the equal amount I would of used for halogen downlights? I found in my last house that in a 3 x 3 room, 4 halogens were way too much, so would consider using 4 of these in a 4 x4 room (its only a living room and would have a lamp also for reading etc). I would really be interested in your opinion as I will need to make a decision on this relatively soon due to finalising the electrical plan.
Thank you! Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 4Oct 02, 2008 10:30 pm I like the like the lights these guys offer.
IMO put one or 2 lights per switch - that way you can choose how many you want on easily. If you want lots of light, all switches on, little light from the corner, only that switch on. http://www.lightenupleds.com.au/ As for light output - some are similar in output to 40 watt ligth, but it is a different sort of light - a bit more directional - and some of them are a bit blue, and others just a stark white. But you do get used to it. Steve Megaman CFL'S 5Nov 07, 2008 12:40 pm I used the Megaman CFL'S /GU10 downlights in my new kitchen ,dinning &bathroom reno and i'm impressed.
11w of Megaman seam much brighter than the other brands 14w/18w available at Bunnings.Ok I paid a bit more ,but for better light output and 15.000Hrs average life they work out much cheaper in the long run. They seam to have a wider angle and an even light not that spot light effect. I have cut consumption down from eg.bathroom x6 low voltage 300watts plus transformer loss say another 50 in total = 350 watts to now 8x CFL's at 11 watts total 88 watts no transformers just good old 240 volts and no heat! Also as an enviromental benifit reduced mercury about 2mg per globe to most others 5mg. and 15,000hrs life as compared to 8,000 hrs. Overall I'm very happy and would never go back to low voltage. Now to do the rest of the house. ***edited by admin*** Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 6Nov 27, 2008 3:00 pm [quote="Elzbeth"] I have found the following LED for example : http://www.todae.com.au/Products/ledlig ... downlight/ quote]
Hi. Just want to check i read the information on this site correctly, that one globe costs $99? Just wan to check im not mis-reading as Im considering installing downlights but wanted a more energy efficient alternative - but to do this in all lights would cost a fortune! Hope I'm reading it wrong. Anita Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 7Nov 27, 2008 6:01 pm Yes Anita, $99.50. I also doubt they give anywhere near the light output of a 50W halogen or 11W CFL. If you do want to get the LED lights, ask to borrow one. Then buy a 50W halogen (cheap) and a 11W CFL (pretty cheap). Then compare the ability of all three to light up a room at night. I think the LED will disappoint, but would love to hear the results.
Of course, I would only do this if you choose the LED option. If you want the safe, environmental-friendly, cheapest-in-the-long-run option, get 11W CFLs. That's what I'm getting. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 8Nov 27, 2008 8:47 pm Thanks good tip. My electrician actually dropped off two downlights (that have been converted to being able to be pugged in to a power point - he's so sweet) so I could compare a hallogen and a fluorescent (warm and cool globe). I plugged the fluro's in and the light was like a candle so unplugged it in disgust - but now I'm thinking I might not have let them warm up. I think they get brighter after a while. So I could take my plug in downlights to a lighting shop and ask to compare a hallogen lamp. hmmm, may be a weekend project.
Is 11watt cfl the brightest they come in? Anita Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 10Nov 27, 2008 10:46 pm Anita,
Yes, let the CFL warm up for at least ten minutes. Then switch it off and switch the halogen on. This is the only way to compare. You can flick between the two fairly quickly as the CFL will take a minute to cool down. Maybe leave them both on and cover one up to compare. We all want to know the result! Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 11Nov 30, 2008 9:49 pm Elzbeth Hi! I want downlights - but I am trying to minimise where they are used. I have been told that with eco downlights (whatever that means - feel free to shed the light on that one!) you need more. I'm just wondering what eco options are out there. Is LED the best way? If so, are costs prohibitive? Looking forwward to answers!!! Thanks! Some articles about lighting: http://www.elflist.com/ http://www.energy-toolbox.vic.gov.au/in ... need?.html http://www.heat.net.au/action-advice-pa ... me_web.pdf http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs63.html http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/lightopt.asp The efficiency in which a light fitting converts energy into visible light is determined by its luminous efficiency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_efficiency LEDS > Fluorescent > Incandescent However, this can be concentrated into a narrow beam or a diffused wide beam. This affects its illuminance which is the amount of light per unit area. (measured in lux). Downlights by nature of their position cannot spread the beam as wide and you need more to provide the same level of illumination. They are also harder to insulate because a gap needs to be left to prevent the material catching fire. This is also true for CFLs downlights. The science and physiology of lighting is quite complex. It needs to be bright enough to see and perform tasks but not too bright to be fatiguing or to lose contrast. Task lighting needs higher levels of illuminance than general lighting but should not be in line of sight to the operator or cast shadows onto the surface. Spot lighting uses light and shadow to accentuate specific items. General lighting requires lower diffused levels. Other considerations are cost, longevity, colour saturation and cycle time. CFLS don't like to be turned on and off frequently. Follow this thread: http://forums.envirotalk.com.au/Energy- ... l=Lighting Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 12Jan 08, 2009 2:33 pm Someone tried to tell me that LED lights were the wrong colour for indoors and that this meant rooms looked "wrong", but I was very suss about this claim considering there's loads of commercial offerings designed for homes.
I am also hoping to go for the most ECO option. Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 13Jan 08, 2009 8:54 pm It's all about expectations.
LED is different, so are fluros, Halogen and incandesant. yes the colour is different, but what colour do you like? Sunset, sunrise, midday, 10am, 11am or any other sunlight colours? Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 15Jan 10, 2009 7:44 am 14W CFL is roughly equivalent to a 75W incandescent in overall light output...
The problem is when you try and compare CFL's to low voltage downlights... To get the same working surface light it's around a 3 to 1 ratio required... i.e 3 cfl's where 1 halogen would have done... You do the math, 3 cfl 11w, or 1 35 low voltage halogen.... Hmm I know I'd rather have just 3 lights over my kitchen benchtop than 9!! Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Downlight options - going as eco as possible 16Jan 10, 2009 11:23 am A 15W CFL should give about the same light output as a 50W halogen (or 35W IRC halogen. By CFL I mean one of those lights that is roughly the size of a normal lightbulb.
The problem comes with the GU10 CFL that are the same size as downlights. Due to the very small size you just don't get the efficiency needed. So you end up needing, as chuth mentioned, three times as many lights. If you want the best energy efficient option available today, nothing beats a 15W CFL in a larger than GU10 size. These are one-for-one replacement for halogen downlights. That is, you'll need one for every 4 square metres of floor space (4 for a 4 x 4 m room). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 You can wash over existing pavers with 10% solution of water and hydrochloric acid, then wash off. The acid will provide for required bond key with new concrete. 1 36963 0 9823 In Qld it is a requirement that a builder must have a cost breakdown, for building a home to the same specification, with the same inclusions and the same finish. So ask… 1 4350 |