Can I insulate above LED gu10?

avantra

We installed six 3W halogen Gu10 down-lights in our bathroom
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Frost-Bathroom-Round-Recessed-Downlight/invt/195410

As these are recessed we need to put back the insulation on top of the ceiling, however the halogens are too hot to have insulation on them.
The forums here talk about some terracota pots and some dedicated 'hats' that sit on top of the light housing. However the 'hats' cost around £13 each :eek:.

Will it be better to go with LED's as they are not that hot and will last longer, cost less in electricity etc' etc'?

Am I correct that you can lay the insulation straight on top of the LED's or do I need to create some boxy type surround?

missile

I have a lot of halogens and my cheap skate builder cut lengths of plastic drain pipe which sit over the downlighters and insulation goes round the outside.

You could try LEDs. I have tried them and my experience the cheap ones are not nearly as bright as the manufacturer's claim and the good quality ones are very expensive.

Another alternative is low voltage halogens. These run much cooler than GU10s

sillygoose

missile wrote: »

I have a lot of halogens and my cheap skate builder cut lengths of plastic drain pipe which sit over the downlighters and insulation goes round the outside.

You could try LEDs. I have tried them and my experience the cheap ones are not nearly as bright as the manufacturer's claim and the good quality ones are very expensive.

Another alternative is low voltage halogens. These run much cooler than GU10s

Agree with all above and would add that what if someday you sold the house and had forgotten all about it? The new owner thinks hmmm a 50 watt Halogen would be brighter and changes it over. The fitting overheats catches fire and its discovered. Could leave you huge liability. Wherever possible I prefer to do the proper thing so for example if I got run over tomorrow I wouldn't leave my wife or next of kin with unknown dodgy things.

The alternative is not to put anything over the back, I just kept the insulation away from mine and where the loft is boarded over cut 6" square holes in the boarding above the backs of the fittings. OK its teeny bit non eco by a few percent, but at least its safe.

deano72_2

also dont rule out compact floresent.i have 11w ones & give out a good light & not much heat & these days dont take long to reach there max output

avantra

deano72 wrote: »

also dont rule out compact floresent.i have 11w ones & give out a good light & not much heat & these days dont take long to reach there max output

I need them to be 51-53mm in length otherwise they will not fit.
I did not see a CF GU10 which is like to like lengthwise to a bog standard halogen GU10.
Can anyone say if LED's (whichever output) get covered directly?

missile

avantra wrote: »

can anyone say if led's (whichever output) get covered directly?

yes ............ you can cover LEDs