Smart energy saving lighting choices

These days, there are lots of different forms of lighting that can be used in your home. Moe from Electrotech discusses the various types available and their advantages and disadvantages.

The energy-saving craze has taken the lighting industry by storm. The standard convectional 100W incandescent lamp has now been transformed into 20W equivalent energy-saving fluorescent globes.

These light bulbs are arguably the best thing created since the light globe was first made. They are very efficient and give just as much light, if not more, than your standard globe at 1/5 of the operating cost. They generally fit into most of your common light fittings in the bayonet and Edison screw types.

And it doesn’t end there now. The most important and in-demand light -“the downlight” comes in 3 different forms: the 12V halogen globe, the GU10 compact fluorescent globe, and the new contender on the market, the LED Downlight.

The halogen globe
The halogen, in my opinion, gives the most consistent, brightest light of the 3, and it has a warm gold colour that suits any décor.

However, the problem with this globe is that it can really blow electrical bills out of the water as it has the potential to draw between 35W and 50W per globe.
So a room with 6 to 8 halogen downlights totals a maximum of 300W to 400W; that’s a fair bit of power for just one room, especially when considering electricity is going up in price.

The second problem with these lights is that they require a heat shield under Australian standards as they can emit a fair bit of heat, so they have to be a certain distance away from timbers and insulation in the roof to prevent fires. These globes are dimmable.

The fluorescent globe
The fairly new GU10-type compact fluorescent globe is pretty good overall but also has a few issues.

This type of globe gives the same type of light as a fluorescent tube light. It is white in colour and also bright but very hazy. In my opinion, it’s not as bright as the halogen, but at 11W a globe, it’s much more efficient to run than halogens.

The problem with these globes is that they can cost between $5 to $8 depending on the brand and quality, while halogens only cost between $2 and $4. The other problem with these globes is that when you turn them on, it actually takes about 1–2 minutes for the gas in the globe to warm up and for them to get to maximum brightness. These globes produce barely any heat and are non-dimmable.

The LED downlight
The last and newest light on the market is the highly debatable LED downlight. This downlight also has pros and cons. The LED downlight comes in various colours like cool white and warm white, just to name a few. The light is said to be equivalent to that of a halogen 50W globe, as that is considered the benchmark of the downlight design.

However, they are a very consistent light and very impressive in the amount of light produced for such a low running cost. Like the GU10, they vary between 10W to 15W a downlight, which can really help the pocket when it comes to electricity bills. But these babies can set you back a whopping $80-$100 a unit, which is a huge difference from the typical $10-$20 a unit.

The difference is that you’re getting a unit that produces great light, looks really modern and pleasant, and the globe will probably never need changing for the life of the light. Depending on the brand used, the better brand fittings come complete with the head, so if the light goes out (which it probably won’t), the whole head needs changing. For the other type of fittings, i.e. 12V and GU10 types you can probably get LED replacement globes, but I don’t believe they are as effective. LED downlights produce barely any heat and come dimmable and non-dimmable.

So, the lighting choice is up to you guys. It all depends on what suits your budget and what you find an appealing light, but if you ask me, I think the better brand LED lights are the way to go.

All the options are there regarding colours, dimmable and non-dimmable preferences, and they look impressively modern. However, they do cost an arm and a leg compared to the others. Just think of it like this – no need for global changes and lower electricity bills!

About Moe and Electrotech
Moe is Director of Electrotech Cabling Systems, a Sydney-based company, and has many years of experience as an electrical contractor. He is committed to providing the best quality of workmanship and excellence -safely and responsibly. Electrotech offers quality customer service, with the team on call 24 hours, seven days a week.

The wide range of services offered includes ALL electrical works, Switchboard Upgrades, Data & Communication Systems, Security Systems, Audio & Visual Systems, Industrial Automation & Control Systems, Air Conditioning, Service & Maintenance contracts, Renovations, Shop & Office Fit-Outs, and Safety Inspections.