Advice - Bathroom downlights

tonyfaestoney

Hi,

I am clueless when it comes to this and have searched previous threads which has confused me further.

I am in the process of refitting a bathroom and en-suite in my house. Have decided on downlights in both. Can anyone tell me the options I have with regulations in mind and living in Scotland. The lights will be fitted in the loft with insulation on top of them.

I take it the Sparky just uses the exisitng single light fitting and wires off to individual spots?

Sorry but am confused about what i am required to do/buy.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks

tired_dad

have recently done a new bathroom and fitted 5w leds. Gives a very contemporary effect and I would strongly recommend. Look for zone 1 rated packages. Mate of mine used a well known company which I also used. V happy.

fluffpot

I would ask the electrician to supply the lights - that way he/she will buy the right ones and will also be responsible for changing them if there are problems.

No Part P in Scotland - but make sure you get certificates.

Not a good idea to put loft insulation over downlights - they get VERY hot

Good luck!

minniemaus1970

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-X-BATHROOM-SHOWER-RECESSED-CHROME-DOWN-LIGHTS-IP65-/221052535986?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Lighting_Lamps_Lighting_SM&hash=item3377c204b2

i bought these for both my bathrooms, please don't buy the cheap ones, they re not suitable for damp rooms and cut out ( I made that mistake a few years ago :rotfl:)
I have also invested in LED bulbs ( 3 watt each) which cuts down on the electricity-bill, most normal bulbs are 50 watts or higher and suddenly you re sitting at 200 watts everytime you switch the light on

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gu10-2W-38-LED-White-spot-down-Light-Bulb-lamp-195-240V-/221092336187?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item337a21523b
(it takes upto 3 weeks delivery but I didn't mind, they re very expensive in the UK
Hope this helps
MM

MEC_Group

If your looking for a saving money lights go for LED downlights, Then actually last long and cheap. Thats what my electrician in Melbourne told me about downlights. If you want, you can call a reliable electrician for some advice.

ListysDad

Personally I'd NOT go for LEDs yet. As a bathroom designer they simply do not give the light output. Further, although they state they will last for 200million hours (or whatever!) that simply means they will light at that point NOT that the output is usable! If you look at a graph of light output over time LEDS fall off pretty quickly and become unusable not that much longer than compact fluorescents.

Seems to me there are three issues that people concern themselves with:
1 - running costs. Simply fact of the matter is that compact flouri's are more cost effect to run than LEDs as the cost of purchase and usable life means LEDS lose.
2 - Heat out put. Halogens produce more heat fact. When fitting them in any space where the back of the lamp is enclosed or covered upi must ensure they are given adequate ventilation. This is simply achieved in an insulated loft by products readily available. The other MAJOR issue is the type of lamp fitted. Dichoric lamps were originally designed for the fashion industry who wanted a daylight type colour WITHOUT the fabric damaging heat. A dichroic lamp therefore puts its heat out through the BACK of the lamp. So, put these lamps in an enclosed space and lamp and control gear life shortens by a factor of 10! Any halogen lamp used in an enclosed space must use an ALUMINIUM reflector. This means most of the heat is projected forwards.

For overall brightness halogens are still the way to go - in my view - but if you want it to be cheaper to run then compact fluorescents all the way.