PRODUCTS > Lighting > Lighting Solutions > Down-light Solutions
Down-lights have become one of the most stylish ways to shed
light on your home’s best features and an integral part
of a designed interior. They illuminate a room and are used
to create lighting effects in many areas of the home. Some
of the key reasons for using them is the way they enhance
and fit with any décor, making rooms appear larger
and avoiding shadowing. They are a good way to add extra light.
A down-light is a small, ceiling-mounted recessed light fitting
that casts its light downward in narrow or semi-narrow beam.
Consequently, when used for general lighting it is necessary
to fit many down-lights in order to provide an even spread
of light.
However, “low voltage” halogen down-lights are
not low energy. The standard halogen down-light uses 50 watts
of power. The transformer in the ceiling uses a further 5
– 10 watts – but that’s still extra power consumption
on top of the 50W lamp. So every down- light (and many people
have eight or ten in a room) is using around the same amount
of energy as an ordinary (incandescent) 60watt light globe.
Ten or twenty years ago the same space would probably have
been lit by a couple of 60 watts bulbs, or a fluoro strip
using a fraction of the energy.
Down-lights enhance and fit with any décor, but
halogen down-lights are high energy consumers, polluters and
a fire hazard. There are excellent viable alternatives available.
The other major problem with any down-lights, and halogens in
particular, is the effect they have on insulation. It’s
illegal to lay insulation over the top of any recessed down-light,
so there will be a gap in the insulation wherever one is installed.
This reduces the effectiveness of the ceiling insulation dramatically,
allowing large amounts of winter heating and summer cooling
to escape your home, exacerbating the use and cost of energy.
Additionally, because halogens give off so much heat, they
can be a fire danger. There have been many house fires caused
by combustible material being set alight by halogen down-lights
(Melbourne Fire Brigade alone states that there are an average
of 30 house fires each year in Melbourne caused by halogens).
You can buy special protectors to put around the down-light
in the ceiling that enable the insulation to be placed right
up to the protector (see Isolite
Down-light Guards).
If you must keep your halogen down-lights, protect your
ceiling from fires and your home from draughts with Isolite
down-light guards.
There are many viable alternatives in two types:-
1. Ultra Compact Fluorescent down-lights with fittings
2. LED’s
1. Ultra Compact Fluorescent down-lights and fittings
The Ultra Compact Fluorescent down-lights run on mains power,
not 12 volts.
The light they give is different to a halogen, they are more
diffuse and less directional. It’s best to install a few
more, particularly in spaces such as kitchens and workrooms
where high intensity light is needed. Even with installing additional
lights they are still much more economical to run.
They take a minute or so to attain their full brightness when
switched on from cold. As they only use a sixth of the power
of halogens, you can leave them switched on for longer and reduce
the need to turn them on and off.
The UCFL lamps run on mains power so the 12 volt fitting and
transformer have to be replaced with a 240 volt fitting. This
must be carried out by a licensed electrician.
In replacing a halogen lights of 50 watts each with 9 watt compact
fluorescent down-lights total energy used in lighting the area
will be reduced by 82%.
They are available in a ‘warm’ white and a ‘cool’
white. The warm white is more suitable to living areas and bedrooms.
The cool light will generally suit bathrooms, laundries and
kitchens.
Once installed, the ceiling insulation can be refitted to within
25mm of the down-light fitting. The down-light fitting must
not be covered with insulation.
TIP: Use the ‘warm’ white CFL’s in living areas
and bedrooms and ‘cool’ white in kitchens, bathrooms
and laundries.
| Solution 1:
ecoMaster down-light solution light and fitting
kit |
| If your existing
fitting does not accommodate the 240 volt GU10,
or you are installing down-lights, buy our 11 watt
lamp and fitting and save. Have your electrician
install them.
Suitable for replacement of Low Voltage fixed
or gimballed halogen down-lights.
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| Solution 2:
ecoMaster down-light solution kit for canister down-lights |
Stop the draughts and reduce your energy usage in
one go with our canister down-light kit. The kit
comprises a good quality compact fluorescent reflector
lamp and draught cover. The cover fits over the
face of the down-light fitting to completely stop
draught through to the attic.
Use this kit to treat your older style 165mm diameter
240 volt down-lights. |
|
| Solution 3:
ecoMaster down light solution surface mounted Palm
kit |
This is a specially
sealed low-profile surface mounted Megaman Palmlite
fitting with a 13 watt CFL lamp. This will neatly
cover and seal the hole of your down light and give
you 40% more light than the 11 watt down-light lamp
with a better spread of light.
If you have the larger older style 240 volt down-lights
then use our Palmlite with the Adapter Plate. It
will replace the old fitting without the need to
fix the ceiling. The light will be better too.
Both ready for an electrician to install. |
|
| Solution 4:
ecoMaster down-light solution slimline T5 Oyster |
This round fluorescent oyster fitting is perfect
for covering over the ceiling hole left by a large
240volt down-light. The base is fitted with a
compressive seal to stop draught into the attic.
The T5 tube is the latest technology with a highly
efficient electronic ballast. The tube is rated
to last 16,000 hours. Just 22 watts of power for
the equivalent of 150 watts of incandescent lighting.
The light colour is cool white.
This fitting is 300mm in diameter and easily installed
by your electrician. |
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2. LED
Another alternative is the LED (Light Emitting Diode). They
are VERY efficient at less than 3 watts. They come in 240 volt
and 12 volt versions so it’s as simple as replacing the
lamp. The 12 volt version fits in the same lamp that fits in
normal low voltage down-light fittings. It is advisable to try
one or two before deciding on mass replacement of your halogen
down-lights.
There are a lot of advantages in using LED lamps:-
| - |
They produce more light per watt than do
ordinary (incandescent) lamps. |
| - |
They can emit light of an intended colour
or multi-colours without the use of color filters that
traditional lighting methods require. |
| - |
They are solid state components and are
therefore quite robust in comparison to fluorescent and
incandescent lamps. |
| - |
They achieve maximum brightness instantly
– no warm up time. |
| - |
They have a very long expected life at 35,000
hours. |
| - |
The cost of ownership is very low when the
long life of the lamp and the low energy use is taken
into account. |
| - |
When replacing a halogen 50 watt down-light
lamp with a 3 watt LED the total energy saving will be
94%. |
| Solution 1:
ecoMaster down light solution 48 LED GU 10 |
| If your existing
fitting does not accommodate the 240 volt GU10,
or you are installing down-lights, buy our 11 watt
lamp and fitting and save. Have your electrician
install them.
Suitable for replacement of Low Voltage fixed
or gimballed halogen down-lights.
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 Incandescent
(standard) replacement solutions
New
lighting system solutions for your new home.
Suggested
lighting solutions
Contact ecoMaster to help you find the right solution for your home.
Find out how we can help you
Call 1300 326 627 or email
ecoMaster
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