Blog
LED downlight installation tips
August 12, 2022
This week, our electricians in Moorabbin are putting LED under the spotlight!
We’re uncovering some of the best advantages of this modern, contemporary, and highly energy-efficient lighting solution, and sharing some simple tips to help optimise your layout.
What are LED downlights?
LED downlights are a modern alternative to the traditional halogen light bulbs.
LEDs are renowned for their incredible energy efficiency as well as improved safety, particularly when compared to halogen lights, which can heat up significantly and pose a risk of electrical fire.
Over the past decade, home and business owners all across Australia have been making the switch to LED, enjoying a more energy efficient environment and more natural, gentle, and effective lighting.
Benefits of LED downlights
Lifespan
LED lights can last an astonishing 5 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb, lasting anywhere from 10-20 years!
Many LED lights also come with a warranty, depending on the brand. Best of all, even as they approach the end of their lifespan, they may continue to emit up to 70% brightness.
Energy efficient
LED lights use on average 70% less energy than traditional light bulbs, making them a hugely efficient feature of your home.
Because they also last longer, they also greatly reduce the impact on the number of bulbs ending up in landfill.
Additionally, LED lighting doesn’t waste any energy lost through heat, unlike incandescent bulbs, which may only convert a mere 10% of their energy into light; the rest is lost as heat!
Aesthetics
Enjoy greater design flexibility with sleek and contemporary LED lighting. LED lights can be installed within your ceiling (called recessed) to create clean, modern lines.
No heat
As touched on above, traditional lighting methods tend to emit a lot of heat, which not only drives up your energy costs but can also increase the risk of an electrical fire.
Where can LED downlights be used?
LED lighting can be used in almost any room of the home, from living areas and kitchen to bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry.
How do you lay out LED downlights?
There are a few methods and strategies your electrician will use in order to create a customised layout designed for the specific size and dimensions of your room.
We’ll also take into account the type of lighting required (e.g. task lighting or ambient lighting) as well as the purpose and function of the room.
How far apart do you put LED downlights?
Downlights are placed strategically to prevent any unwanted shadows, while a simple formula helps us optimise placement: divide the ceiling height (in feet) by two to determine the ideal space between bulbs.
In Australia, the average ceiling height is 9ft (2.7m), so if we divide that by two, we would look to place bulbs approximately 4.5m apart.
How far should downlights be from the wall?
In order to reduce the chance of creating unflattering or distracting shadows, you do need to think carefully when it comes to installing downlights near walls.
Generally, we recommend at least one metre from the walls, to avoid creating ‘cone’ shadows, particularly in corners.
Want to make the switch to LED lighting?
Unleash the power of LED with Prokop Electrical!
We love educating our customers about LED lighting and helping them to make the simple switch so that they can start enjoying the advantages immediately.
LED lighting can also be generally easy to retrofit, so even if you’ve been in your home for years or live in an older property, you too can experience the many benefits associated with this modern, efficient solution.
If you’d like to learn more about LED downlight installation, we invite you to contact our electricians in Moorabbin today.
We work extensively across Melbourne’s Bayside region, helping homeowners just like you optimise your electrical systems so you can enjoy a safer and more efficient living environment.
Get in touch with our residential electrician today for a free consultation. Call us on 0437 766 770 or fill in this form, and we’ll get back to you soon!
