Just How Much do Halogen Downlights Cost to Run ?

ormus

as a rough guide, a 60w bulb cost approx 1p per hour.

Hintza

moonrakerz wrote: »

Absolutely no regrets now, instant full output as soon as you switch on, low power consumption, 7 year warranty.

Good to hear, mine are still stuck on a box waiting fitting soapart from seeing a test one I was/am still worried about the amount of light.

As I say the architect thought they were an un-necessary expense but I reckon they will pay for themselves in about a year.

But to me the long length of the bulbs would virtually swing it on it's own. Normal downlighters seem to blow far too frequently.

ailuro2

In our kitchen we have 7 x 50w halogen lamps - but we also have a lamp that was about a fiver from Asda with an energy saving bulb in it that uses about 5W. When it's darker at nights we have it set on a timer to come on and go off, this means we can go into the kitchen and make a cuppa without turning the other lights on. While I'k cooking in the kitchen , or when we're eating, the other lights are used, it's very good quality light, I'm not ready to substitute it for LED ones just yet, they will come down in price and get better in quality over the next few years. I can wait;)

We have another 4 in the bathroom, again I really like the light quality so will hang off before substituting. We have energy saving bulbs everywhere else in the house, are quite energy efficient with heating etc, so it's not the end of the world to be burning 200W in the bathroom - in the old days my bathroom had a single 150W bulb so it's not such a big deal.

Lotus-eater

We have 3 lots of 5 x 50 watt Gu10 bulbs downstairs. I was told when I put them in that they would blow all the time, but they don't. In 6 years, we've maybe lost 4. Not a bad percentage.
Work that out with the cost of buying LEDs, I'll stick with them for the moment, we don't have them on that long and only usually 5 at a time.
I agree with the above, I'll wait for the price to come down and the quality to go up in LEDs before changing.

moonrakerz

Hintza wrote: »

apart from seeing a test one I was/am still worried about the amount of light.

That was a concern of mine. The electrician left me a sample light with a 13A plug on to try when it was dark - but this didn't really give a realistic impression - even when I taped one to the top of the kitchen cabinets !

When he installed the lights he cut a couple of extra holes in the (old) ceiling and ran cable to these (where I thought there wouldn't be enough light) - just in case..........

Not needed. He was correct...........believe your expert !

howzurfath3r

Mine have been In quite a while now, Not one has blown yet... Just as well soon as we have such high ceilings, ex-local authority also do round here !.
TBH tho I was concerned that after 3 years when the warranty expired they would all blow, but touch wood, 4 years later they are all still going strong.

darich

Lotus-eater wrote: »

We have 3 lots of 5 x 50 watt Gu10 bulbs downstairs. I was told when I put them in that they would blow all the time, but they don't. In 6 years, we've maybe lost 4. Not a bad percentage.

You're lucky then....or maybe I'm unlucky!

We have 2 sets of 4 50W GU10 halgoens...or rather had. I was replacing a bule approximately once every month. It was ridiculous how often they were blowing.

I replaced them with LED equivalents. At least as bright and a box of 5 cost £25.

Lotus-eater

I know I've heard various different ideas why the GU10 bulbs blow so frequently.
One of them, is that they overheat. I know when I put mine in, I think I left out the heatshield or something like that, or I may be imagining it, I'm not sure.

SilverSix

I'll be using the Halers EvoLED when my new build is complete as part of a second fix.

http://www.collingwoodvideo.com/Halers%20website/Cost-Co2%20saving%20calc/HL_EvoLED%20Cost-Co2%20saving%20Calculator.htm

You can enter in the amount of lights and how many hours per day along with your energy cost per unit to get a better idea of how much you will save.

Tommyboi78

Just got my new LED GU10 bulbs through that I ordered, from Finbright LED, Went for these ones in the end Finbright Pro LED
TBH, I'm more impressed then I anticipated, The brightness is good and colour of the light is almost the same as my halogens,I'm now looking forward to seeing the next electricity bill !..... Now theres a first!, All I need to do is heat the house for less now !.