Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Apr 05, 2012 3:02 pm Hi all, We recently signed up with a builder and have a question in relation to the new lighting restrictions. We are building a double storey house and would like downlights installed. The builder is charging an arm and a leg for LED downlights which we thought we are restricted to using but reading up on the new home lighting restrictions, it appears that we could still use halogens so as long as we fall within the 5 watt/sq mtr rule? If I’m interpreting the rules correctly, if the ground floor of the house is say 180 sq mtrs, as long as we restrict ourselves to 900watts of lighting i.e. 180 x 5, then we are ok? Is this how it works? i.e. we could still use a combination of halogens, LEDs and other forms of lighting….so long as we fall within the limit? Is it judged on a room by room basis? Or is it judged on the floor area as a whole? I’ve tried looking at the BCA website, and they use a 6 x 4 m room as an example but I’m not sure if that is to simplify the explanation or it is indeed a room by room basis rule. Wondering if anyone could shed some light ? New home lighting restrictions… 5Apr 05, 2012 4:44 pm It goes by total living area, so you can have more w/metre in one area, if you reduce in another. So a 200sqm house could have a total of 1000w lighting. Remeber also the figure is based on the proposed bulbs, not the fitting (so you could by a pendant that can take a 100w globe, but only fit it with a 10w LED, and it would count for only 10W). Re: New home lighting restrictions… 6Apr 10, 2012 11:37 am Further to my initial query, I was wondering what the difference is between having the builder install LED downlights kits vs having standard Halogen downlight kits installed and then replacing the bulb with retrofit LED globes? The builder is quoting close to $200 a pop for installing LED downlights and from memory, the halogen ones were about ½ the price…. Re: New home lighting restrictions… 12May 04, 2012 5:23 pm We are going with one of the major volume builders, whilst we are yet to have our electrical appointment - I doubt they would let us supply our own products. I might try bringing it up. I suspect this is how they make their $$, through upgrades / markups etc... The markup on some upgrades might be fair enough, but I can't see justification in paying close to $200 for a downlight (it probably would be a cheapie as well)!! Re: New home lighting restrictions… 13May 04, 2012 8:14 pm Your building surveyor will look at the lighting on a per room basis, so a 10 square meter bedroom can have 50 watts, which is one solitary halogen downlight. @builderforlife Building inspector and passionate about construction When you need an expert to take a look. New home lighting restrictions… 14May 04, 2012 8:34 pm I believe that the lighting is based on total watts and total habitable floor space ( ie excluding garage), so you can go "over budget" in one room if you are under in another. Re: New home lighting restrictions… 15May 06, 2012 7:52 pm I goy my LED lights of ebay, cost me $7 each including postage, there is a place in Moorabin that sells LED 240V ligts for $20, BUT they have Aust electrical certification. LED 240V lights are new BUT they are the way fo the future, no transformers, etc. Some outlets are still selling them as "hi tech" ..... with the associated margin $80 per light for 700 lumen ... what are they smoking. Things to look for is the lumen value, and how they are measured it based on spread and distance. A bit more time and you'II see them at Bunnings, 240V with bayonet or edison screw replacements, mine are edison screw, have had them for 12 months (11 of them) and only one has died............. shop around, LED lights are great, and the 240V ones don't need a transformer. At the home show they had ones for $20each .... A talking dog, don't worry what it's saying, it's amazing it can even speak. Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board 2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it… 1 28813 I have a really long hallway which is 1100mm W x 11500mm L I would appreciate if anyone can give suggestions to light it up with Linear LED lights that goes from wall to… 0 8814 What? It's a lighting question, the control joint is only needed at 12m centres, a bulkhead or change of direction will suffice as a 'break' in the ceiling, just make… 8 8572 |