Replacing Halogen Downlights with LED

cool_dude_2000

Hi

I currently have some halogen downlights in our living room which use the GU10 bulbs (as below). I have heard that LED are much more economical and brighter and would like to replace these.

Can I simply just replace the bulbs with LED ones, or do I need to change the entire unit?

xyz123

Are they mains voltage gu10? U got any dimmers?

searchlight123

like for like swap with gu10's. they are mains powered so no transformer issues.
just decide on your light output colour.
cool white (4000k) is usual for kitchens / bathrooms while warm white (around 2700k) is more popular in living rooms / bedrooms etc.

buy decent quality branded ones and aim to get a lumen (light) output of around 400 which is achievable with a good quality 5w lamp.

Ectophile

The LED GU10's are intended to be a simple plug-in replacement. I haven't had to replace either of the fittings when I swapped lamps.

Be aware that the higher power LED lamps need some ventilation, and may overheat and fail prematurely if used in a sealed light fitting.

cool_dude_2000

Thanks all. I have no dimmers and as far as I am aware they are mains powered. I'll probably replace with cool white as I believe they are closer to natural sunlight whereas warm white mimick artificial light.

almillar

2700K is warm white - and is what your halogens will be. Cool white might be a bit blue or clinical (it is for me) but it's down to personal taste. You might want to look at some. You need to make sure with LED that you're getting the same amount of light - and for spotlights, the same beam angle. Check for markings on the halogens you remove for what they are.

Xeorix

Think about what the lighting is used for. Are they angled at walls, highlighting artwork etc, or are they simple straight down flood lighting.
25 degree angle will give you a nice focused beam of light for specifically targeting areas of the room, whereas something like a 40 degree angle bulb will give off a more flood like beam

My personal preference is to go for something like 2700k with a narrow beam in living areas, combined with floor lighting etc. In kitchens, go for something a bit more functional like 3000k

cool_dude_2000

All my downlights are straight down flooded. The ones i'm looking at are 6000k. Do you think these would be too clinical?

Jonesya

6000k - yes, too blue for a living room.

If you don't like the normal warm white, I'd look for something around 3500k - that's a typical fluorescent light, white.

Plus get a good quality brand.

cool_dude_2000

that's great - thanks!:)

Xeorix

These are great by the way:
http://www.energybulbs.co.uk/philips+4.5w+dimmable+gu10+led+value+range+-+cool+white+(36%b0)+(c1)/469670474