These lights usually have a 50W halogen bulb. Because halogen downlights don’t carry too many watts, they need to be installed in a big number to get the desired lighting effect, which is why they carry a reputation of consuming quite a lot of electricity. If you are looking for an energy-efficient lighting solution, LED downlights are the answer.
Install draft stoppers (or exhaust fan seals) to better your home energy-efficency and reduce the energy use on air-conditioning.
LED downlights we install:
Emerald Planet LED Downlights – Luna Series
These can be used with existing ballast to ensure compatibility. The new LED downlights will make your space look bright and dazzling.
Why LED Downlights?
- The popularity of energy-efficient LED lighting products is on the rise. This is because they consume less energy compared to halogen downlights, reduce risks of fire and have a longer lifespan.
- Talking about energy efficiency, a 50W halogen downlight is replaced with 10W LED downlight.
- If you are bothered about the look, LED downlights are designed to look prettier and tidier than old halogen downlights, offering unlimited options in which lights can be added to a home environment.
- Victoria government is offering Victorian homeowners an opportunity to replace halogen downlights with LED downlights. The upgrade is done under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (formerly known as VEET) scheme.
- All you have to do is call an expert LED installer who provides LED light bulb replacement service under the VEET scheme and book an appointment. Rest assured!
- However, it is important for residents to be aware of the light replacement scheme, eligibility criteria, upgrade process, LED products that can be replaced, guidance on how to choose right products for different areas of the house and best practices to help make the switch to LED lighting a success.
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Halogen Downlights vs. LED Downlights
Energy Consumption
The cost of running a bulb is calculated by the number of watts it consumes to run it continuously for an hour. LED bulbs consume 7-20 watts per hour, whereas Halogen bulbs may use from 35-200 watts per hour for emitting the same amount of light. This means Halogen downlights can consume 9 times higher energy than LED downlights. This is why switching to LED downlights can offer you huge energy savings per year.
- 1 Halogen Downlight (55W): Estimated annual energy cost = $35
- 1 LED Downlight (10W): Estimated annual energy cost = $6
- Annual savings (LED vs Halogen Downlight) = $29 or 82%
Longevity
Halogen lights have a lifespan of about 1000-2000 hours whereas LED lights last up to 50,000 hours. The initial cost of LED lights is 4-5 times that of halogen lights, considering longevity and energy savings, LEDs are a very cost-effective option in the long run.
With TIMETOSAVE, you don’t have to pay for anything – neither LED downlight replacement nor decommissioning of old lights. We offer LED downlight upgrade for Victorian households under the VEU scheme.
Quality
Downlights are mainly used in living areas, bedrooms and kitchens. Light they offer is spot on. Old, halogen lights create light by producing heat, adding an extra degree to the temperature of the kitchen. Sometimes, heat emission from these lights is responsible for household fire hazards.
LED downlights create bright light without producing heat because they don’t contain any filament that will burn out. The movement of electrons in semiconductor material is responsible for the light produced in LEDs.
Plus, LED downlights produce light in one direction, making them perfect for task lighting or reading.
Benefits of LED Downlights
- Reduced energy costs
- Reduced fire hazards
- Low/no maintenance cost
- Environmentally-friendly
- Better light distribution
Upgrading Halogen Downlights to LED Downlights: A Checklist
- Eligibility for an LED upgrade under the VEET scheme: The VEU (formerly known as VEET) scheme is only available for Victorian households.
- The type of lights you want to replace: Rebated upgrade from halogen downlights to LED downlights only applies to ceiling downlights.
- Only one upgrade: The LED upgrade happens only once for each household under the VEU scheme.
- Get the upgrade done only by Accredited Person (AP) or its representative: Choose a person or its representative accredited under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) by Essential Services Commission (ESC).
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FAQs About LED Downlights
Q: What are downlights?
Downlights are a complete electric light unit (luminaire) that light in a downward direction to highlight the object or area below.
Q: Why do I need downlights?
Most places like kitchens, bedrooms and shopping bays are ideal for downlights with LEDs. LED downlights illuminate the space with no high maintenance requirements. Hallways are another area that is well lit with LED lights. They also work well in industrial sites and commercial buildings.
Q: What are the different types of downlights?
Most downlights are round and they come in a variety of colours. The colour variation gives you the ability to adjust the downlight with your home decor or warehouse lighting conditions. Nonetheless, there are different types that you can choose from. The difference is primarily associated with the type of light bulb you use. Earlier, the most popular type of bulb was halogen, but recently, the use of LED bulbs has become widespread because they are the most energy-efficient lighting option.
Here are different types of downlights:
- Halogen, CFLs and LED downlights
- Recessed or flush downlights
- IP rated or non-IP rated downlights
- Fire-rated or non-fire rated downlights
- Rotating/tilting or fixed downlights
- The narrow, medium or wide beamwidth downlights
Usage depends on the purpose of the light source; it may be to highlight a piece of art on a wall or to lit up the dining table. There are many uses for a downlight and it is just about buying the right type with the correct specification matching your requirements.
Q: What is the difference between a downlight and a spotlight?
Downlights are used to illuminate a large area, as the light is evenly spread out over a wider area due to a wide beam angle. On the other hand, spotlights are used for highlighting a specific area or display due to its narrow beam angle.
Q: What do I need to consider when buying downlights?
When buying downlights, you need to consider the purpose of downlights; physical factors like the space in the ceiling recess, the ceiling materials and accessories you need to buy so it fits correctly; and the ceiling height. You also need to consider bulb efficiency, colour temperature, and lumen/watt output.
Q: Where is the best place to position a downlight?
The best place to install a downlight varies from space to space. For example, in the kitchen, downlight should be placed at a point to highlight the inside of the cabinets, the working area and the table. While in the living room, it would be above the coffee table, artwork or sofa.
Q: How do I install a downlight?
If you’re not a qualified electrician, we recommend you employ one.
Q: Can LED downlights be dimmed?
GU10 LED downlights can be dimmable. Check the manufacturer’s product information to ensure the dimming feature.
Q: Can I use a dimmable LED downlight with a non-dimmable light switch?
Yes. Dimmed lights mean a reduction in energy consumption and the best part is that you can use dimmable LED lamps within a non-dimmable circuit. It should be noted that non-dimmable lamps are not designed to work in a dimmable circuit as both lamp and circuit may get damaged. Users should have an easy time selecting a lamp and matching the circuit because the lamps are clearly marked as dimmable or non-dimmable.
Q: Does installing dimmable LED downlight with non-dimmable light switch cause any issues?
The answer is “no.” When installed in a non-dimming switch, dimmable LED downlights will operate at 100% output and will run just as well as if they were installed with a dimming switch. Sure, there may be a non-dimming option available for a fractionally lower cost but generally speaking, if you plan on keeping your LED bulbs for a long time, it makes sense to choose the dimmable option.
Q: What about installing non-dimmable LED downlights with a dimming switch?
If you install a non-dimming LED bulb in a circuit with a dimming switch, it will likely operate normally if the dimmer is at its 100% or fully on. Dimming the bulb will likely cause erratic behavior such as flickering or buzzing and ultimately may cause damage to the bulb. If you have to do this, we suggest keeping the bulb at full power. Again, as mentioned above, dimmable LED bulbs are overall a better investment.
Q: How to check if the existing dimmer is compatible with LED downlights?
In most cases, you would find it printed on the product information page.
Some of the issues that may occur when a dimmer is incompatible with an LED lamp are:
• Flickering
• Drop-out – no light output at minimum notch of the dimmer
• Stone dead – when the dimmer is adjusted there is no corresponding change in light output
• Not linear – light output may not go from dim to bright asynchronously
• Damage or failure – LED driver, circuit or LED bulb get damaged or fails
Q: Why install LED downlights?
The lighting system is one of the most important aspects of the interior of your home or workplace. A number of factors need to be taken into consideration in order to decide on the type of illumination, where to position the devices and spacing between the lights. Here are major determinants of the best LED downlight:
• Energy efficiency
• Better illumination
• Colour temperature
• Aesthetic appeal
• CostAfter weighing in the following factors, we have concluded that currently, LED downlights are the best choice for both interior and lighting.Brightness
The brightness of an LED light bulb is measured in lumens as opposed to the wattage rating of incandescent or fluorescent light. LED lights produce the highest lumen number for a given wattage. This basically means that you can illuminate your house or office with the same amount of brightness while consuming the least number of energy units. A dimmable LED downlight gives you control over the brightness which in turn augments energy efficiency level. Smart LED downlights take energy efficiency to another level. You don’t need to control the brightness manually; you can voice control or program it to increase or decrease the lumen level to match a specific lighting requirement.Longevity
LED downlights last nearly ten times longer than a CFL which is currently the second most economical option we have and nearly fifty times longer than an incandescent or halogen bulb.
Cost
High energy efficiency and longest lifespan ensure that you don’t have to buy lights frequently, lowest maintenance cost and that less money is spent for the same amount of lumens.
Aesthetics
LEDs in the roof give your workplace or home a more sleek and elegant appearance. Because the area is immersed in ambient light, the overall atmosphere is greatly improved.
Material
LED lights can have either aluminium or plastic frames and heatsinks. Aluminium is obviously the most expensive option, but worth the price. Heatsinks help to dissipate the excess heat produced during use. Aluminium makes the overall equipment much more long-lasting and efficient.
Frame
The frame for the LED downlights can be either fixed or adjustable, round or square. Fixed downlights are cheaper and radiate a general ambiance that isn’t focused on any particular area. Adjustable frames can be used if you want to direct the light in a particular direction.
Colour
LED downlights come in a very wide range of colours. You should choose the light of a certain colour temperature based on the functionality of the room/space. Warm white light is considered good for relaxing, whereas cool white is considered good for reading/working.
Colour temperature indicates whether your light source will emit rather “warm” or “cold” light. The lower the number, the “warmer” the colour. 2700K can be described as warm white and 5000K may be considered cool white.
Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). LEDs can produce white light in a number of “shades” or “colour temperatures”– from warm-white (2700 to 3,300 K) or cool-white (3,00-5,300 K) to cool daylight (5,300 to 6,500 K). The lower the number, the warmer the light appears.
Beam angle
You can opt either for a wide-angle beam, which spreads the light around at an angle of greater than sixty degrees. This creates an atmosphere where the light is evenly spread out all across space. Or you can opt for a narrow beam angle where the light is more focused, for example in the case of a spotlight.
Q: Are LED downlights safer than halogen downlights?
House fires have been attributed to halogen downlights because halogen lights and their transformers produce a lot of heat, which can ignite substances like paper, dust and insulation batts, especially in case of bad fittings. LED lights produce 80% less heat than halogen bulbs, so they never get hot enough to burn your fingers or ignite any materials that might come into contact with them.
One of the reasons to upgrade to LED downlights is to eliminate the risk of fire. Various governments and regulatory and safety organizations throughout Australia have issued warnings about the use of halogen downlights due to the very high operating temperatures (up to 250°C), which can cause fire. Other sources cite an operating temperature of 370°C – 500°C, which is the temperature close to the point where some timbers can instantly ignite.
Q: Are LED downlights better than halogen downlights?
LEDs downlights offer a strong, focused light to rival that of a halogen or a softer, more diffused light. Some of the other advantages of LED downlights include:
• High energy efficiency
• Longest lasting: An LED light bulb lasts for up to 50,000 hours. The most you can expect from halogen or CFL bulbs is 5,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs last only about 1,000 hours.
• Reduced energy costs
• Reduced fire hazard
• Low to no maintenance cost and time
• Better for the environment
Q: Which LED downlights are the best?
With a range of options available, it can be confusing to determine which light is right. You need to look for the following parameters before buying new LED downlights:
Wattage
Energy-saving lighting is about reducing the wattage used in a light fitting while maintaining a similar light output. For example, a standard halogen downlight uses 55 Watts, but you can replace it with LED alternatives ranging from 4.5 Watts to 14 Watts.
Lumens
Lumen is the standard unit for measuring the amount of light produced by a light source. It is equal to the amount of light hitting 1 square foot surface one foot away from the light. Essentially, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Lumens per watt
This truly shows the efficiency of the LED product. For example, a 200lm product consuming 3 watts of electricity = 66 lumens per watt. Lumens per watt vary from product to product depending on the LED chip used, how hard the product is being run, and the construction of the fitting and how effective the heat sink is at minimizing the heat emission.
Beam angle
The beam angle is something you need to pay attention to when choosing the right LED lighting for space. This is as important as the Lumens. Beam angle indicates the spread of light from the light source. A narrow beam gives a concentrated light which is better for accent lighting. A wide beam gives a more general, softer light.
Warm white and cool white
The colour temperature of a product is a linear scale of measuring the colour of light. Measured in degrees, Kelvin, warm light is measured in lower numbers and cool white in higher numbers. It is down to personal preference whether you choose warm white or cool white.
Cool white is ideal for areas like kitchen and laundry and areas that have a warmer climate as the lighting will help the area feel cooler. Warm white helps to create a warm ambiance suitable for bedrooms and living rooms, as these colour temperatures create a more relaxing and comfortable environment. All you need is to stick to one colour throughout the area, otherwise, different colour tones can be distracting to your eye.
Q: Do LED downlights come with a transformer?
MR16 downlights work with transformer (external) before and after LED upgrade. If you want to replace them with LED MR16s, the installer will only replace the bulb as the existing transformer will work perfectly fine with the freshly installed LED downlight.
On the other hand, GU10 downlights don’t work with a transformer. So in case of an LED upgrade, the installer will simply replace the halogen GU10 with LED GU10.
Q: Can LED downlights be covered with insulation?
LED lights run at much lower temperatures than halogen/CFL lamps, which are still widely used in Australian homes and businesses. However, even the small amount of heat LED lights generated must be carefully considered while installing the downlights.
To address this issue, IC-ratings are applied to LED lights to ensure that the light fits correctly to the environment.
IC-rated light can be used without the possibility of overheating in a ceiling that is insulated. Usually, the recessed IC lights are rated at 75 watts. The IC output lights are usually powered at up to 100 watts. The IC rating will help reduce the risk of a fire as long as the wattage limit of 100 watts is met.
Importance of IC rated recessed light
Here is why IC-rated downlights should be your buying choice:
1. Safety- That’s the biggest reason. The IC-rating ensures that fire threats are not likely to occur.
2. Save money – You eliminate unnecessary repair costs with IC-rated enclosed lighting. IC-rated downlights (that are IP65 rated) reduce moisture condensation, which is a common cause of many electrical problems.
3. Efficiency – Because the fixtures are insulated, the IC-rated recessed lights save more energy due to no heat loss through the fixtures. Moreover, they minimize the problem of flickering, a problem associated with overheating bulbs.
Q: Is halogen downlight replacement free under the VEU program?
No. The Victoria government has removed incentives for residential and commercial lighting activities (with an exception for T8/T5 tubes in commercial units) with effect from 1 February, 2023.
Q: What are the best LED downlights?
LED downlights are a direct (and earth-friendly) replacement to conventional halogen downlights. There are a host of factors that you need to consider before swapping old lights with LED downlights. Consider quality of light production, dimming capability, lifespan, colour temperature, beam angle, anti-glare display, design, adjustability, fire and safety standards (IP and IC ratings) and energy efficiency before swapping halogen downlights with LED.
Q: Can I replace halogen downlights with LED downlights?
Yes. If you have low voltage MR16 halogen downlights installed with a ballast (transformer), find the maximum load that the transformer/driver can handle. For example, if you have 35W halogen downlights installed with 10-60VA (equivalent to 40 Watts) transformers, we can replace them with 5/6W LED downlights.
Replacing GU10 halogen downlights is pretty straightforward. Halogen GU10 downlights are direct swappable with LED GU10 downlights. You don’t need to worry about the transformer’s load ratings in this case. We can replace 35-40W downlights with 5/6/7W downlights.
Q: How energy-efficient LED downlights are? Are they better than halogens downlights?
Yes. LED downlights use 75-80% less energy than their halogen counterparts. Halogen bulbs produce light by heating a filament wire to the point that it starts glowing. The 90% of the energy used by halogen downlights is lost as heat.
Q: Are LED downlights fire rated?
Yes. The LED downlights we install under the VEU program are fire-rated.
Q: Are LED downlights safe?
Yes, because they run on cool temperatures. Whereas halogen downlights produce light by heating its filament, causing high temperatures, which can get as high as 380 °C, making them unsafe.
Q: Do LED downlights get hot?
When compared to incandescent or fluorescent lighting, it’s only a small fraction of it. The maximum temperature at which LED downlights work depends on the room temperature and the mounting fixture.
LED bulbs have many components inside the housing to convert high voltage electricity into a lower voltage required by the LED chips. As a result, they are much more sensitive to heat than incandescent or halogen bulbs.
Q: What are fire-rated LED downlights?
Fire-rated LED downlights ensure that the lighting hole is properly plugged in. When the light hits a certain temperature, the coating around the downlight swells, deterring the fire.
In the event of a fire, the downlight hole is like a doorway through which the fire spreads. When the fire spreads, the adjacent frame, usually made of wooden ceiling glasses, gets heated up. Fire-rated downlight case is made of materials that prevent heat from spreading easily.
Q: What are the best LED downlights for my kitchen?
Low glare natural white LED light of 4K to 5K colour temperature is perfect for kitchen and under cabinet lighting.
Q: Which LED downlights should I choose for my bathroom?
Dimmable lights with gimbal frames are the best option for the basin area. IP65 rated LED downlights work best in the moisture-laden air of bathrooms.
