Plenty of homes built in Point Cook, Sanctuary Lakes and Seabrook in the late 1990s and 2000s still have their original halogen downlights. They were the modern choice at the time. Today, LED downlights do the same job for a fraction of the running cost, and they’re safer in the ceiling too.
How much power do they use?
A typical halogen downlight uses around 50 watts, plus a little extra for its transformer. A modern LED downlight that gives similar light usually uses somewhere between 6 and 12 watts.
Here’s a simple example. Say you have 10 downlights on for 5 hours a day, and you pay 30 cents per kilowatt hour:
- 10 halogens at 50 watts: about 2.5 kWh a day, or around $270 a year.
- 10 LEDs at 8 watts: about 0.4 kWh a day, or around $45 a year.
That’s a saving of more than $200 a year in this example. Your numbers will depend on your electricity rate, how many lights you have and how long they’re on. Check your bill for your actual rate.
Heat and safety
Halogens run very hot. Much of the energy they use turns into heat rather than light, and that heat goes straight into your ceiling space. Halogen downlights need clearance from insulation, and when insulation has been pushed up against them, they can become a fire risk.
LEDs run much cooler. Many LED fittings are rated to be covered by insulation, which also helps keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Your electrician will check the rating of each fitting and the space around it.
How long they last
Halogen globes often need replacing every year or two. Quality LED downlights are typically rated for tens of thousands of hours, which can mean many years of normal use. Fewer blown globes means less time up a ladder.
Why we replace the whole fitting
It’s tempting to just swap halogen globes for LED globes. The problem is the old transformers. Many weren’t designed for LEDs, and the mismatch can cause flickering, buzzing, dimming problems and early failures.
Replacing the whole fitting with a purpose-built LED downlight avoids those problems. In most cases the new light fits the existing hole in the ceiling, so there’s little or no patching.
Choosing the right LED downlights
Colour temperature
- Warm white (around 3000K): a cosy, yellowish light. Good for living rooms and bedrooms.
- Neutral or cool white (around 4000K and up): crisper and brighter. Good for kitchens, laundries, bathrooms and garages.
- Tri-colour or switchable: lets you choose the colour with a switch on the fitting. Handy if you’re not sure.
Brightness and spacing
More watts doesn’t always mean more light with LEDs. Look at the lumen rating instead. We plan the number and spacing of lights so the room is evenly lit without dark patches or glare.
Dimmable or not
If you want dimmers, you need dimmable LED fittings and a compatible dimmer switch. Mixing the wrong parts is the most common cause of LED flicker.
Wet areas and outdoors
Bathrooms, eaves and alfresco areas need fittings with the right weather and moisture rating. Planning outdoor lighting? Read planning lighting for your deck, pergola or alfresco area.
Common questions
How many downlights do I need?
It depends on the size and use of the room, the ceiling height and the fittings. A kitchen usually needs more light than a bedroom. We plan the layout so light is even across the room, rather than just copying the old halogen positions.
Will LEDs work with my existing dimmers?
Often not. Older dimmers were designed for halogens. Pairing dimmable LEDs with a compatible dimmer avoids flicker and buzzing.
Can I do one room at a time?
Yes, though doing the whole house in one visit usually costs less overall. If you do it in stages, stick with the same fitting and colour so rooms match.
What about the insulation around my old halogens?
When we remove halogens, we check the insulation around each light and fit LEDs rated for where they’re going. It’s a good chance to fix gaps in the insulation too.
What does an upgrade cost?
Independent price guides currently put typical Melbourne LED downlight installation at roughly $65 to $160 per light, depending on the fitting and access. Doing the whole house in one visit is usually the best value. Every job is quoted, and you get the price before we start.
Ready to switch to LED?
We’re a family-owned, licensed electrical business based in Point Cook, with more than 25 years of experience. We work across Williams Landing, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and the rest of Melbourne’s west, and we take emergency calls 24/7. Find out more about our lighting and led downlights service.
Call us on 0405 418 132, or send a few details and a photo of the job. Every job is quoted before we start.