House LED light swap overs

[D4D]

I've noticed a bunch of companies offering 'free' LED swap over of the old halogen lights, it appears to be the next government offer after the insulation rort. I was wondering if anybody had taken up these offers? I have approx. 30 halogens in the kitchen/dining/living area, they suck power and are hot so moving to LED sounds attractive.

Thoughts...

[KingBilly]

Have had LEDs down lights for 6 plus years.  Last bought spare replacement bulbs a couple of years ago so not across current prices but back then they were expensive.  I have found that the LEDs tend to fade over time.  New ones are always a lot brighter than ones that have been in for a couple of years.

KB

[archer63]

Not sure if this is relevant to your situation, but I have already replaced all of my house globes with LED globes...all good so far.
But..I also have four round Fluro tubes that I want to replace as I understand you can get round led replacement tubes...but I have heard these are hopeless and do not yet give out the same amount of light ?

Interesting to see what replies you get.

Cheers
Rob

[Wazza999]

Halogen downlight replacement with leds is also being offered in Canberra. Had them done a couple of weeks ago. We are happy with the brightness. According to the installer they should last for decades. Wasn't aware that leds lost output with time, this is certainly the case with compact fluorescents as well as the increasing time it takes to reach max brightness. The replacement leds are 6 watt ea so a big saving in power over 50 watt halogens and they should run cooler. One issue is the type of transformer you have, some won't work with leds and need to be replaced at your expense. Apparently they appear to work at first but after a short time, tens of minutes I believe, the lights begin to flicker, so it's important the installers check the trannys and have the lights on for a while before the installation is signed off. Ours were iron core nearly 20 yo which apparently work fine. There must be a period in the interim where the transformers aren't compatible. We only had 6 so not so much of a saving. Were told that globes are still around $20 ea and complete replacement lights ~$35  (much cheaper on eBay).

[scblack]

I have recently replaced the 14 downlights in my living area. They are bright and much cooler, but have a much narrower spread of light than halogens. Corners of the room and areas not directly under the globes can be noticeably darker.

[dales133]

I replaced some myselc and booked in to do the rest for free but they couldnt make it tbe day they booked.
Going to rebook next week ill let you know how it gos

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[GeoffA]

The free replacement deal is only for MR16 halogens.
Ours are all GU10, so no go for us.....

[D4D]

The free replacement deal is only for MR16 halogens.
Ours are all GU10, so no go for us.....

How do you tell what you have?

[Bill]

We replaced 46 of our halogens with LEDs some years ago.
I also had to replace the transformers as ours wouldnt work.
Wish someone would have told me "before" I purchased everything that I could run more than 1 LED off a transformer.
But I guess it isnt the light stores job to tell me that.
Oh well I know it now :-)
Bill

[Wazza999]

GU10 have two solid pins that connect to a 'twist' socket at 240v AC. MR16 have two 'fine' pins that fit into a ceramic block that you have to use a screw driver to remove and fit and are 12V DC and have a transformer. The ACT scheme covers GU10 as well.

[D4D]

Thanks Wazza, I have MR16

[GeoffA]

......The ACT scheme covers GU10 as well.

Hoping that comes to Vic as well.

[Snapman007]

Does anyone know if this is happening in Qld? I've got 72 that are are sucking up my solar dollars and need to be updated. Besides, it's a never ending job replacing the halogens.

[dales133]

I was told by the company that contacted me as long as they are 1.downlights on 12v transformers they are covered
2. There had to be 7 or more to change then it was free.
As far as i know its national.
Ive been wrong at least once before though

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[Nay-DMAX]

I sent a PM but this is the link I was looking for through Bendigo Bank (work) this is running until the 20th of this month to get the free change over you need to have more than 8 globes and they cannot be dimmable.  They will swap dimmable globes or less than 8 in a household but then there is a charge.  There is a T & C link on there too.
https://www.bendigobank.com.au/campaigns/switch-to-save?fb_keyword=switch+to+save

[teds01]

We just had something similar done in Adelaide. First, someone comes over does a free energy audit, replace shower heads, install power boards that automatically turn off equipment on standby, block off unused fireplace chimney, replace light globes with fluoros. With our 27 down lights, a sparky came back later, replaced globes with 6watt LEDs for $5 each, replaced 4 transformers for $10 each. They seem brighter than the old halogens, very happy with the service, even better if it was totally free though!


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[MDS69]

Just be careful of what colour LED they install. You want warm white not cool white. Perhaps someone who has had them done can comment.

[gronk]

Just be careful of what colour LED they install. You want warm white not cool white. Perhaps someone who has had them done can comment.

Why do you want warm white ?  All my house is in cool white as I like the light to be similar to a fluro....bright and white !!

[dales133]

Yea i prefer cool white myself.
Warm whites just trying to duplicate crappy old incandescent lighting where cool white is much better to actualy see in.
Same with headlights,change to cool white and you can see far better

[GeoffA]

Cool white is too hard on the eyes for me. Warm white is much easier to live with. We have warm white flouros too.

[GeoffA]

.....
Same with headlights,change to cool white and you can see far better

Nope.

4300k cuts through the night much better than 6000k...even more so in the wet.

[jclures]

I am with you on that one gronk, I like it as white and bright as I can get. I have a back up 12v solar, battery set up in the kitchen and dining room, (ready for the next cyclone) but I use them most nights instead of the main lights. I originally used GU10 sockets, I have now fitted adaptor to fit MR16 lights.

[dales133]

5000k lights up road markings far better than 4300k and 6000k is heading closer to blue.
Its a preference thing or theyd only make one colour.
Glad your happy with your yellow bulbs

[MDS69]

Why do you want warm white ?  All my house is in cool white as I like the light to be similar to a fluro....bright and white !!

To commercial for me. Each to their own

[gronk]

To commercial for me. Each to their own

Of course..