Even though incandescent and halogen lights have been banned since 2016, there are still plenty of them out there squandering energy and depleting the earth's resources. These power-hungry artefacts from the past need an update to LED. LED has a 90% higher efficiency and a ten times longer lifespan. The sort of downlights and halogen bulbs you already have will determine which of the three primary alternatives for switching from halogen to LED is best for you.
Retrofitting an MR16 LED is choice one.
The simplest and most apparent choice is to swap out low voltage MR16 50W halogens with low voltage 12V transformers for something like an MR16 LED. Your current transformers should be able to power these retrofit bulbs. You don't need to utilise a separate LED driver since these specific LEDs run on AC (Alternating Current) rather than DC (Direct Current). However, MR16 LEDs aren't always compatible with everything, so this isn't always the case. You often end up needing to replace your transformers as a consequence. But...You don't realise they're incompatible with your transformers until they begin to flicker or flash erratically. This occurs more often when you dim them. Then, it's time to start again, which requires swapping out the outdated transformer with a new one that is compatible with LEDs, such as the Varilight YT transformers.
Nobody wants to spend more money, time, or effort on something they don't want to. If you do want to dim them, another thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to make sure that the LED, transformer, and dimmer switch are all compatible with one another. Both the Philips MR16 LEDs and the Varilight YT transformers working with the Varilight V-Pro dimmer switches are compatible. An effective mix! However, you've already paid more than you would have with choices 2 and 3 for these things.
Option 2: Switch to GU10 LED lighting
Once again, if you wish to preserve your current downlights but are replacing low voltage halogens, you may convert them to mains voltage GU10 by obtaining some basic GU10 lamp holders, a GU10 lamp holder with connection block, and GU10 LEDs. This requires unplugging the transformer and rewiring, both of which need to be done by a licenced electrician.
Option 3: Change the downlights
Set up fresh downlights. You now have access to a vast array of possibilities thanks to this choice. Either brand-new GU10 downlights or integrated LED downlights might be installed. In essence, integrated downlights feature an embedded LED that cannot be replaced, while GU10s are often less expensive and include a changeable LED. In terms of light brightness, life expectancy, or guarantee periods, GU10 LED downlights are inferior. For the newest promotions on downlights, LED light bulbs and more, check out our sale goods.
Halogen GU10 replacement
Because LED GU10 lights may be switched out directly without any wiring or transformers to take into account, this is now simple and quick to perform. If you want to swap out your 50W halogen GU10s, below are some possibilities for you to think about:
Philips CorePro 4.6W GU10 - An affordable, non-dimmable lighting alternative Philips Master Value 4.9W GU10 - Perfect for simulating the dimming effects of a halogen with the Dimtone version
The Aurora Ice 5W GU10 offers a great broad beam angle of 60 degrees and is available in dimmable and non-dimmable versions.
View all of our premium GU10 lights right here.
