An alternative to the ubiquitous halogen downlighters

[jac-in-a-box]

Trying to get the nitty-gritty of a new kitchen sorted out. Lighting...I don't want these power hungry 50w halogen downlighters, what are my options for general lighting?
LED's seem to have a lousy light output so they're out. Strip lighting is a no-no too as is a bulb on a wire!
I've heard of CFL lights but have yet to see what the light output is like - any good?

Kitchen is 4m x 3.5m with a 2.4m ceiling is ther some sort of formula for determining how many would I need and what spacing is needed between each lamp?
Pointers for a good source of fittings would good too

Thanks!

[Distant]

Have you actually seen any LED's in action? The power output in wattage is not tht comparable to halogen.

I suggest you pop down to your local DIY shop and see the LEDs before you rule them out completely.

[caziques]

There is a CFL version of a halogen downlighter, or there is in NZ.

The power usage of the downlighter is only part of the problem - you can't put any insulation near them due to the heat - and then they act as chimney sucking heat out of the room. I've heard someone did a test in NZ, room with downlights needed 5.3 kW to heat, without them it was 3.5kW.

The CFL version is an enclosed unit, so it doesn't act as a chimney.

[OldSkoolRS]

I just had some CFL types put in my kitchen. They were supplied by the electrician but I think the bulbs themselves are Megaman 'Warm white'. They take a few seconds to come on (not unlike the old flourescent tubes) but they seem to warm up much quicker than previous types I've had. Once they've been on for a minute it's really bright in there and I only have 6 of them at the kitchen end and another 4 at the dinning room end. I think they're 7 or 9 watts each so a good reduction on the 50 watt halogen type. They also have intergral smoke hoods which I believe is a requirement for a kitchen/downstairs installed lighting, so no drafts caused by the lights/holes.

I also got some LED under cabinet lights from B&Q, but these do have a noticable 'bluish' tint to the light, although they do come on instantly (the spark has wired them to come on from the main light switch) compared to the CFL ceiling ones.

[YarisSi]

Isn't a CFL lamp just an energy saving bulb? Does anyone have a link to these types of lamps for kitchens as I would be interested in them for home.

[OldSkoolRS]

YarisSi said:

Isn't a CFL lamp just an energy saving bulb? Does anyone have a link to these types of lamps for kitchens as I would be interested in them for home.

I think these are what I have, though my electrician got them a fair bit cheaper than this, using the 11 watt Megaman lamp so higher wattage than I said above, but still way less than 50 watts per lamp from halogen:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GUFRD11C.html

[YarisSi]

Thank you

[dugt]

There is good leds and bad leds. We've had 4 on test for a bit over a year, on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We've only turned them off 3 times to see what happens (They have a battery back up)

There very bright, you couldn't look directly at them with out feeling uncomfortable/looking away, hardly use any power at all, we have a power consumption reader and it doesnt regester on there. And they don't get hot, you can easily hold the unit in cupped hands for a long period of time.

Ours are meant for lift interior, but should be avaliable else where.

[rhinochopig]

The latest phased lattice array LEDs can output 2000 lumens, which is far brighter than a car headlight. LEDs are the way to go. Just make sure you pick some decent ones.

[nokio]

We have just had a sample from this company www.halers.com sent to us at work, they are comparable to halogens but are expensive (retail at £55 each), with LED's at the moment you get what you pay for imo.

[jac-in-a-box]

Thanks for the replies - food for thought!

The only LED type lights I've seen are in B&Q...had a display set at eye level, pressed the button and instant blindness from a dozen or so lamps. It was suggested that these lights were more for decorative/task effect than general lighting (ie for under cabinet lighting)

If those LED units linked too at £55.00 each are good enough for space lighting that's going to make a big hole in my budget! Anyone any idea on how to calculate how many are needed for my space...dont want to get in the situation of having too few and that cost not wanting to over do it.
Seem to have a narrow beam pattern which suggests a reasonably close spacing may be needed?

Thoes Megaman CFL's look as though they're worthy of a further look as well...OldSkool at what sort of spacing are yours fitted?

[Plotloss]

LED is alright for accent but cack for task lighting.

We're doing a lot of retail downlights in kitchens, either the 2x1 or the 2x2 units.

Easily angled for task based lighting, throw a nice light especially if you're using galaxy black granite or similar.

[snotrag]

Sorry if this is a blatant plug - but the question was asked so im trying to help out!

http://www.hightechnologylighting.com/applications...

There seems to be a broken link on that page but if you PM me I'll email anyone the catalogue, or I could post one out no bother.

Many people have experience of very poor LED solutions - part of what I have to do in my work is prove peoples preconceptions wrong.

You CAN get very, very good LED lighting.

These are state of the art units - so there not cheap. but when you factor in the maintenance of replacing GU10's, and the energy usage, then they add up. The Quartet range is guaranteed for 50,00 hrs output. That is probably 20 times that of a GU10.

http://www.hightechnologylighting.com/product.php/...

Big range of fittings, Gimbals, Downlights, Spot. IP rated fittings, different beam angles, colour temps, and light outputs available. All the details on the website/catalogue.

Edited by snotrag on Monday 10th May 10:17

[monthefish]

Recent thread on the same subject - might be of interest