Do’s and Don’ts When Buying LED Downlights

Ceiling downlights play a major role in the overall illumination of a room. Downlights provide the main layer of light, also known as ambient lighting, which is a crucial part of any lighting design. This makes such downlights a critical addition to your space.

Below, we’ll offer some dos and don’ts for getting your LED downlights right.

 

DO:

 

Do Use LED Downlights 

LED bulbs are growing in popularity and quickly replacing the usage of halogen and incandescent bulbs. LEDs have many benefits over their traditional counterparts that makes them the ideal choice for your downlighters.

 

• ENERGY EFFICIENT. Since LED bulbs don’t have to first generate heat to create light, they make for much more energy efficient downlights. Instead of using heat, they instantly transform energy into illumination. Therefore, LED bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs by design.

 

• ECO-FRIENDLY. Lower energy consumption means that LEDs put less of a strain on resources. This makes them gentler on the environment. Most modern LEDs can even be recycled, so you won’t have to contribute to the landfills more than is necessary.

 

• LONG LIFE. Whereas traditional bulbs tend to only last around 1,000 hours, LED bulbs are rated for use for tens of thousands of hours.

 

• COST EFFECTIVE. Due to their lower energy consumption, your LED down lighting fixtures may save you money on your energy bills. Beyond that, the need for less frequent replacement also means shaving costs off of upfront LED purchases.

 

• LED bulbs come in a number of colour temperatures and lumen counts. With so many options, you can stay in precise control over the look of your lights.

 

Do Consider What CCT You Will Use 

CCT, or colour correlated temperature, is a way to define and discuss the perceived warmth or coolness of a given light. Colour temperature is arranged on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000 Kelvin units.

Lights that have lower Kelvin counts are warmer. Conversely, lights with a higher Kelvin rating are cooler and brighter.

When it comes to domestic use, warm lights tend to be preferred. They create a softer, more intimate glow that is gentle on the eyes. Warm white light between 3,000K and 3,300K are typically recommended for domestic settings.

That said, cool lights are certainly an option as well. Many homeowners prefer bright, cool lights in places like the kitchen, for example. If you want to give your space a crisp, modern look, cool colour temperatures between 4,000K and 6,000K are recommended here.

Do Consider the Beam Angle You Will Use

Beam angles are the angle in which the beam of light shines. LED down lighters, and other LED fixtures, for that matter, will have different beam angles depending on the bulb you use.

Different beam angles each have their own benefits and uses.

 

120 Degrees

A 120 degree beam angle is often referred to as a flood light. It is designed to shine an abundance of light over an exceptionally wide area of space. These are great for extra large rooms as they allow you to move light over more space with fewer fixtures.

 

60 Degrees

A 60 degree beam angle provides better coverage of light in a larger room as well. This is due to its ability to spread the illumination out over a greater expanse of space. Because of this, wide beam angles help ensure that there is ample light for medium to large sized rooms.

 

45 Degrees

Commonly seen in ceiling spotlights, 45 degree beam angles provide a more focused level of light. They create intense little circles of illumination that are great for highlighting certain features.

Commonly, surface mounted and recessed spotlights with a 45 degree angle are used for task lighting. Even so, they can work with your ambient light layer to create a balanced effect.

 

36 Degrees

Downlight ceiling lights with a 36 degree beam angle provide even more focused lighting and are particularly well suited for offices and studies. They offer a softer, more general light when paired with other 36 degree beam angle lights.

 

25 Degrees

25 degree beam angles are generally reserved for accent lighting. These lights highlight smaller details in the home and help set a mood. They make the perfect addition to your ambient light as a part of a balanced, layered lighting scheme.

 

Do Make Sure You Use Correct Lumen Counts 

Lumens are simply a way to indicate the brightness of an LED light. Where traditional bulbs usually communicate brightness in wattage, LEDs simply do so in lumens.

The main difference between the two is the way that they measure the outputs. Instead of measuring brightness alone, watts measure power consumption and heat–which are responsible for producing the illumination in traditional bulbs.

Lumens, on the other hand, measure the brightness of the light itself. They give you a better idea of the brightness levels you can expect in your space.

The lumen count your lights will need varies depending on a few factors. Primarily, the size of the room, and the brightness needs of the space. In order to determine how many lumens you’ll need, follow these steps:

 

1. Measure the square footage of the room. Multiply the length by the width of the room to know the square footage.

 

1. Understand the footcandle count. Footcandles are a way to measure the overall brightness in a room. These units can help you understand how much illumination you’re going to need.

 

3. Multiple the footcandle requirement by the square footage. The answer you arrive at will be the lumen count that you need in your room.

 

For the average space, lumen requirements for each room will look something like this:

 

• Bedrooms: 10 to 20 lumens per square foot
• Bathrooms: 70 to 80 lumens per square foot
• Living rooms: 10 to 20 lumens per square foot
• Kitchens: 30 to 40 lumens per square foot

Do Consider Using Dimmable LED Lights  

Dimmable recessed lights and other such indoor downlights can help you create an atmospheric room. Using a dimmable downlight as opposed to a fixed downlight lets you change the lighting levels on a whim. Anytime you want to set a mood in a room, you can simply brighten or dim the lights.

Dimmable lights will allow you to alter the brightness of the light according to the time of day. You can keep the lights ebbing and flowing in a more natural manner as the sun goes down. This could promote a healthier sleep cycle and help you get relaxed at night.

 

Do Have Your Downlights Installed by a Qualified Electrician 

Unless you are professionally trained, it is rarely a good idea to tinker with electrical components on your own. One mistake could lead to damages to property or physical injury. Even low voltage downlights connect to the mains power, so you should always have a qualified electrician install your lights for you.

Not only will they be able to do so with the utmost safety in mind–they will also have knowledge of codes and regulations that must be adhered to. Their knowledge and expertise on the technical and legal side of things will ensure that your lights are up to standard in all ways.

Trusting the installation of your surface mounted or recessed ceiling lights to a professional will ensure safe, compliant lighting throughout your home or business. You’ll also get quality workmanship from experienced electricians to ensure that the finished result is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.

 

Do Make Sure You Plan Your Downlight Lighting Scheme  

Before you begin installing your lights, you’ll want to sketch out an idea for the finished product. Take a moment to evaluate the room and determine what you want to light.

Will you need large or small downlights to match the size of your room? Will you prefer modern, flush downlights, or something more quirky, like a statement pendant lamp? Are there any areas in particular you want to focus on?

With these in mind, you can calculate the lumen count you will need. Then, start thinking about the colour temperature you want, as well as the best beam angle for the job.

After that, you can plan the actual layout. Sketch out the locations of where you want to place the lights. This will help you work out any errors before you actually install them.

 

Do Make Sure You use the Correct IP Rated Downlighters 

IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, tell you how well a light resists debris and moisture damage. The first digit indicates a light’s resistance to debris, while the second digit indicates its resistance to moisture.

 

First Digit – Solids

• 0 – Offers no protection against solid debris
• 1 – Offers protection against solid debris larger than 50 millimeters
• 2 – Offers protection against solid debris larger than 12.5 millimeters
• 3 – Offers protection against solid debris larger than 25 millimeters
• 4 – Offers protection against solid debris larger than one millimeter
• 5 – Dust resistant
• 6 – 100% dust tight

 

Second Digit – Moisture

• 0 – Offers no protection against moisture
• 1 – Offers protection against vertical drops of water
• 2 – Offers protection against drops of water falling at a 15 degree angle
• 3 – Offers protection against splashing water at a 60 degree angle
• 4 – Offers protection against splashing water from any angle
• 5 – Offers protection against water sprays from any angle
• 6 – Offers protection against powerful water spray
• 7 – Offers temporary protection against immersion
• 8 – Offers complete protection against immersion

In the bathroom, kitchen or any other area that is wet, you’ll need an IP65 rated light or higher. Anywhere else in the home, you will be fine with IP20 rated lights.

 

DON’T:

 

Don’t Use Cheap LED Downlight Fittings  

When it comes to light fixtures, you certainly get what you pay for. In order to have quality light fixtures that will outlast years of use, it is recommended that you buy the best LED downlights you can afford.

Look for high quality materials such as steel, aluminium and tempered glass to ensure overall durability and quality. You’ll also want to check IP ratings to ensure the lights are strong enough for certain conditions.

Don’t Ignore Quality Standards and Certifications 

In order to get the most out of your lights, you will need to ensure that they are the best at what they do. When shopping for lights, look for certifications of quality on the label or in the product descriptions. General quality standards should strive to be met, so do your research before settling on a light choice.

 

Don’t Forget to Maintain Your Downlights  

Regular maintenance will ensure your lights work their best throughout their natural lifespan. Fortunately, maintaining downlights isn’t difficult to do.

Simply have a look at your downlights periodically and check for signs of wear and tear. You will want to look for damages, like cracked fixtures, rust, or faulty wiring. If you notice issues like these, rectify them right away to prevent them from worsening.

You should also dust off any buildup that you notice on the lights. You can do this with a dry cloth, or a slightly dampened one if the debris seems caked on there.

 

Conclusion 

Ambient light is an important layer of illumination in any room. Having plenty of quality, ambient light sets a sturdy foundation for the rest of the lighting design. Keep the tips above in mind as you embark on creating a new lighting design scheme for your home.

 

LED Downlight Ideas

 

1. LDC201S 6 Watt Dimmable Ultra Slim LED Downlight Fitting

Enjoy a sleek, modern look in your space with the LDC201S 6 Watt Dimmable Ultra Slim LED Downlight Fitting. These downlights feature a slimline aluminium faceplate that is finished in your choice of black or white. They produce 600 lumens of warm white 3000K light, or 6000K cool white light, depending on your choice. These recessed lights have an opal acrylic diffuser that softens the illumination, reducing glare. The fixtures measure 123 millimeters in diameter.

 

2. CSL024 5 Watt Dimmable Square Recessed LED Downlight Fitting

Modernise your living space with the CSL024 5 Watt Dimmable Square Recessed LED Downlight Fitting. These recessed lights feature a contemporary square shape that enhances the style of any room. They are fashioned out of durable aluminium in your choice of chrome, rose gold, black or white colours. These lights generate 430 lumens of 3000K warm white light at a narrow 23 degree beam angle. Overall, they measure 85 millimeters by 85 millimeters in size.

 

3. LDC735 9 Watt Anti Glare Dimmable Recessed LED Downlight

Enjoy ample ambient light without any of the glare when you install the LDC735 9 Watt Anti Glare Dimmable Recessed LED Downlight. This recessed downlight features a deeply recessed bulb that eliminates harsh glare when you look at it. It pools 800 lumens of light down beneath it at a 24 degree beam angle. Durably designed, it is crafted out of aluminium and finished in white with a black internal reflector ring. Overall, it measures 85 millimeters in diameter.

 

4. LDC724 8 Watt Dimmable Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight

Light up your space without any unsightly glare when you choose the LDC724 8 Watt Dimmable Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight. This light is specifically designed to eliminate glare thanks to the deeply recessed bulb. It generates 800 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines at a 24 degree beam angle. High quality aluminium and an IP20 rating protects it from wear and tear. It comes finished in white with a black internal reflector and measures 76 millimeters by 76 millimeters in size.