Replacing GU10 Halogen Bulbs with LED

Arfa__

I haven't tried LED GU10's for a few years now. The ones I had were far too dim to use as the main light to cook underneath. In the end I went for CFL's, yep huge, stuck out loads and that annoying slow start. But much less electric used.

One big point for me, wasn't just the energy used by bog standard halogen GU10's, but their short life span. I have a row of 4, but was replacing 1 every couple of months! The CFL's went in about 6-7 years ago and are still going strong. Maybe when they do finally die, I'll look at LED replacements. The difference in power usage between a CFL and a bright LED bulb just isn't enough to justify the outlay. (at the moment)

vaio

Arfa__ wrote: »

I haven't tried LED GU10's for a few years now. The ones I had were far too dim to use as the main light to cook underneath. In the end I went for CFL's, yep huge, stuck out loads and that annoying slow start. But much less electric used.

One big point for me, wasn't just the energy used by bog standard halogen GU10's, but their short life span. I have a row of 4, but was replacing 1 every couple of months! The CFL's went in about 6-7 years ago and are still going strong. Maybe when they do finally die, I'll look at LED replacements. The difference in power usage between a CFL and a bright LED bulb just isn't enough to justify the outlay. (at the moment)

Modern ones are smaller and pretty much instant start, have a look at the CPC ones mentioned in post #9

ed110220

However you do it, those lights are a rather expensive way of lighting a room (electricity costs for the halogen ones, short bulb life meaning you have to replace them all the time or lamp costs for the LED ones) and a bit of a fashion fad. What's wrong with a plain fluorescent fitting for a kitchen or bayonet fitting lamps for other rooms?

spannerzone

The TLC led GU10's I've got do not run warm let alone hot.... they do have a big metal heatsink grill all around the edge to remove heat but even this doesn't get warm.

However at the price they are I expect them to stay cool and last a long time!

ListysDad

I think it was Which that did a report recently about different light fittings. Compact flories came out best by a country mile.

LEDs will eventually take over but not yet and they do not represent VFM as their light output is currently poor compared with a compact Flouri.

The one thing not told to you too about LEDs is that whilst they do indeed last a very long time, the light output falls sharply after approx a quarter of their stated life. Whilst they still 'work'they will need replacing to continue to be usable.

blisteringblue

As horrified as I am by my current electric bill I want to do something about it. Obvious choice is our GU10 spotlights upstairs. Mrs Blue in her infinite wisdom has them put in every room upstairs, which is around 24 bulbs.

Happy to spend a little outlay because the recoup time is quite good but can't justify £32 for the Philips ones? I bought a couple of £5 testers from eBay (80 LED 4w Standard Bright (50w equivalent)) which do appear very "blue" and Mrs Blue hates them already. Already on the back foot my next attempt needs to come up with the goods but I need some middle ground around the £10 mark if possible, but they need to match the Halogens?

Any recommendations from anybody? Or is it the age old add-age of you get what you pay for?

I see mentions of Compact Flories? Are these just low energy GU10 bulbs rather than LEDs?

rachelandgromit

I can't recommend a particular brand, however to get away from the 'blue white' light I think you need to look for 'warm white'. I was in my local CEF store the other day looking for extractor fans and they had some on display (lit up ones).

blisteringblue

Thanks, just checked and the ones I ordered were "standard bright" which they stated was closest to standard halogens. The also did a "High Bright". I will look towards "warm whites" then.

spannerzone

Yes the warm white LED's I've got are quite similar in appearance to regular GU10's except at the edge of the beam as I mentioned earlier, I notice a slightly green tinge at the edges of each beam, it's only noticable on white items such as when I'm ironing my shirts

partan

i put finbright gu10 led's in my kitchen and bathroom and im impressed with them. got warmwhite in the kitchen and i prefer them. the coolwhite in the bathroom is a bit blue and takes a bit of getting used to. keep an eye on the angle of the beam as well, some of them are very focussed, but the finbrights are about 135 degrees beam i think. dam expensive tho, about £14 each