



LED downlights are up to 85% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and have a relatively quick payback on the investment.
Traditional incandescent bulbs have changed very little over 100 years and are very inefficient - less than 5% of their energy is converted into light. The balance is converted into heat.
Traditional downlights also require a significant gap in insulation around the downlight fitting. The LED downlights we use in contrast can be covered by insulation to keep your home both warmer and lighter.
The use of downlights in modern homes with incandescent light bulbs poses a challenge for thermal efficiency. Guidelines require insulation to keep up to 200mm clear of all downlights unless the light fitting carries an “IC” or “CA” classification. This clearance results in considerable heat loss around the light fitting as shown by the thermal image on the right.
Insulation can cover IC-F rated LED downlights to keep your home warm and bright in winter by limiting heat loss. For free quotes on replacing your downlights with long-life LED equivalents, contact us today.
We have financial support available to make installing LED downlights throughout your home more affordable.
EECA Energywise website estimates you can save approx $183.30 per year by replacing 10 incandescent bulbs to equivalent LED bulbs.
A $55 replacement cost for downlights would be recovered in about 4 years based on the light energy alone. The added benefit of LED downlights is that the ones installed by Smart Energy Solutions can be covered by insulation to keep you warmer in winter.
Have you ever noticed that some lights appear quite yellow (warm) versus bright white (cool)? Well LED lights are also available as warm white or cool white.
The choice is yours so choose carefully as LED downlights are a complete fitting - not just a bulb that can be swapped out. Trial a few LED bulbs in lamps to get a feel for the type of light you want.
Yes, some LED downlights are suitable for dimmers. We can let you know which ones.
Watts (100W) are a measure of the power consumed rather than the light created. Consequently the best measure to compare is "lumens" or light output.
A 100W incandescent bulb has about the same lumens as a 10-15W LED bulb or fitting.
The angle of light from an LED is also more focused so it may seem even brighter.
The workmanship was excellent. Everything was explained well and the options given helped us with the decisions. Now that we have come through the first winter after using Smart Energy Solutions, we have been thrilled with the extra warmth. It has been most noticeable. Enjoying the LED downlights too.
Anthony, Tauranga
We have free advice and estimates to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient all year round. Call us today.
Contact or call 0800 888 766