What are Downlights?
Whether you're considering installing LED downlights or already have them, here's how to choose the best one for you. Downlights are one of the most common lighting fixtures you'll find in any modern home due to the fact that they provide warm general lighting that is less noticeable than a traditional light fixture. However, there are many factors to take into account when looking for the perfect one, such as whether to use halogen or LED bulbs, as well as the ideal wattage and spacing.
Led Downlights vs Halogen - Wattage
For wattage, you want your downlights to be energy efficient yet still generate a high beam. For this reason, we urge you to utilize LED downlights. The average 10W LED downlight can create a beam twice as brilliant as halogen can require up to 55W. The optimum option in terms of energy conservation can range from as low as 4.5 watts to 14 watts in LED.
Colour Temperature
Cool white LED downlights are often the best option for rooms that frequently get heated, such kitchens or laundry rooms. However, warmer downlights are a better choice than their cold white counterparts if you desire warmth and intimacy in your area, such as a living room or bedroom.
A natural white 4000K is an excellent all-arounder, in our opinion. It seems clean, cool, and warm without being overpowering; it's as if there is a natural skylight shining through the roof. You can see the change in color temperature in the picture below.
What are Lumens?
The brightness of LED lights is now measured in lumens (lm), which measure the total amount of visible LED light from a bulb; the higher the lumens, the brighter the LED light. Previously, you could determine the brightness of a light bulb by looking at the watts on the bulb's packaging. This is still true for halogen and fluorescent lights, but because LED lights use energy-saving technology, their wattage is typically always low.
Energy Efficiency - Lumens Per Watts
The LED choice for downlights strikes a compromise between brightness (lumens) and efficiency (watts). For instance, you should definitely select an LED downlight with a brightness rating of 800 and a power consumption of 8 to 12 watts if you typically use a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
But don't worry if you don't understand lumens! The lumens per watt brightness in comparison to incandescent lights is shown in the chart below.
Downlight Beam Angle
The quantity of light that spreads from the light is called the beam angle, and it is expressed in degrees. Because they are recessed, the majority have a 45° beam angle. A standard lightbulb, on the other hand, would have a beam angle of 360°.
If you want gentle, diffused illumination, such in the living room, we advise choosing downlights with a broader beam (60°) because they are recessed. However, if you are considering downlights for the kitchen, a narrower beam (25°) angle is better since it will provide a focused light, which is ideal for illuminating surfaces and highlighting finer features in the space.
Pools of light always look better than glaring light in your eyes, and they will add a lot more ambiance to your area, regardless of how big the room is.
In most situations, anything between 60 and 120 degrees will work well if you're not sure which beam angle to use. To assist you visualize beam angle, here is a picture.
Downlight Spacing for Beam Angles
Be sure to consider the beam angle while determining the appropriate spacing between them prior to installation.
You may usually position the downlights 1.2 to 1.5 meters apart if you're utilizing a larger beam. Try placing them one meter apart if you're utilizing an intense beam of light.
Determine how many recessed downlights your room will require and then place them all precisely the same distance apart.
Colour Rendering Index (CRI)
In contrast to natural sunshine, CRI refers to the light source's capacity to accurately display an object's color. A perfect score of 100 on the index, which ranges from 0 to 100, means that colors seem exactly as they would in direct sunshine. A CRI of 80 to 90 is often considered to be within the range of realistic color rendering.
A high CRI (90+) and a middle-of-the-range color temperature (4000K) are recommended if you want your lights to produce stunning, rich tones over the complete color spectrum.
Downlight Lifespans
Naturally, this depends on the type you purchase. Halogen downlights typically last 2,000 hours, and many customers find that they replace most of their halogen globes within 12 to 18 months. In contrast, LED downlights have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, or about 27 years if they are turned on five hours a day. As you can see from the picture below, the majority of LED downlights these days are built in with a fixed light and driver separate with a plug, meaning that you can only replace the entire fixture, including the downlight driver, since the driver is designed to work with this light alone; you cannot simply purchase a new driver to run the light; you have to replace the entire downlight kit.
Changing Downlights
If the globe on your downlight is like the one in the photo below, you may replace the LED downlight globe by twisting the center ring to pull it out. The globe can then be removed from the rear and replaced.
Insulation Contact (IC) Rating
When selecting recessed downlights, make sure the warranty is for at least three years. When purchasing halogen downlights without an IC rating, avoid placing them close to insulation or wood. The IC rating is used to determine whether a recessed downlight is suitable to come into contact with your building insulation.
Final Tips for Choosing Your Downlights
Although the list is lengthy, selecting and installing downlights is a significant choice. Here are a few last things to think about.
1. Compared to darker, light-absorbing surfaces, light-colored walls look brighter and better illuminated. When thinking about beam angle, brightness, and light spacing, bear that in mind.
2. To conserve even more power, use light level dimmers with your downlights. Note that not all dimmers and dimmable LEDs work together, though. Seek compatibility tables from reliable LED vendors that detail the many types and brands of dimmer.
3. Use a push-button dimmer if you decide to add dimmers. They appear sleek and serve as an on/off switch when flush with the wall.
4. Only purchase from reputable Australian wholesale manufacturers that provide genuine warranties and high quality. There are a number of inexpensive imports available online, however these downlights may not meet Australian regulations, which might be quite costly if something goes wrong with them.
5. To avoid the requirement for an electrician, look for a plug base that is Australian-standard so you can plug in and flip.
6. The 90mm size is the most popular size for LED downlights, so you should seek for it when purchasing them. This will save you money since they are manufactured in larger quantities and it will be simpler to replace the fixtures when you alter the size.
7. You should only look at reputable wholesalers when deciding where to buy. Because there are so many various grades available on the market, always purchase from large firms that meet Australian requirements and offer genuine warranties.
8. Look for warm white to match the same color temperature when switching from halogen to LED.
9. After you've bought your lights, you'll need them installed. Make sure you work with a reputable electrician; each installation will cost between $50 and $70.
10. To avoid breaking the gyprock and to prevent your fingers from being struck by the springs, carefully remove the LED downlights from the roof.
