LED Downlights

Cheap Steve on 15/08/2011 - 21:52

Hi OzBargainers,

I am building a new home and am up to the lighting stage. I have a very strict BASIX and have to use a LED downlights in all the major living areas. In total, there will be 40 downlights at $100 a pop ($4,000 total).
I am hoping to get the individual LED downlight cost to $60-$70 each.

I have been recommended the Crompton KLED12AW downlight kit and from my research it has good reviews. However, does anyone know how to buy this downlight cheaper than $100 each?

Failing that does anyone have any advice on alternative LED downlights that I could buy at a cheaper price but similar quality?

thanks, Steve

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • jsl4179 on 16/08/2011 - 08:02

    Total spend should be $17

    Buy the standard Halogen Downlight kits at $12 per unit

    Import the LED bulbs directly for $5 - see DealExtreme

    http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mr16-3w-3-led-270-lumen-6300k-l…

    • kiwipride on 16/08/2011 - 10:48

      I found the 9w excellent for our place. Paid around $5-6 each.

  • StewBalls on 16/08/2011 - 08:13

    Here's a good whingepool thread that is more about retrofitting LED to older fittings, but some of the general advice around the tech is fairly sound: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1156179

  • Austin 316 on 16/08/2011 - 10:31

    If you don't mind, can I ask why you need 40 lights? I mean, is your house really big? I recently got my house built (3 months ago) and I have 20 LED halogen lights for all the living areas. Only the bedrooms in my house have the standard energy saving bulbs. I have a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom and open kitchen living dining area house.

    My builder has actually installed the bright energy saving halogen LED downlights and I can tell you that 20 is more than enough for my house. Sorry if I am a bit off-topic but if your house is similar to my house size, may be you can try reducing the no. of lights for cost effectiveness.

    • Cheap Steve on 16/08/2011 - 23:26

      Downlight count is 16 (4 bedrooms at 4 each) + 4 playroom + 8 lounge room + 6 Kitchen + 6 open plan living room. It's a decent size two storey house but definitely would not describe as a "big house". I am not allowed to have halogen lights due to Basix. Only allowed LED or compact flouro. Will probably do compact flouro upstairs to get cost down because LED's everywhere too expensive.

  • llama on 16/08/2011 - 23:07

    Crompton is a cheapo brand. I'd recommend the Osram units, far better quality.

    The cheap DealExtreme lamps are gutless and will fade out very quickly. LED lamps aren't very powerful anyway, even the best 15W LEDs are not REALLY matching the light output of a standard 35W dichroic, despite what the manufacturers claim. So, unless you want downlights every 1m across your ceiling, you need ones with decent grunt.

    By using downlights you need to use a LOT more lighting to light the entire room. Therefore a balance of wall (uplight) and downlighting will provide more illumination for less total power. Downlights only is very "1990's" way of illuminating a space.

  • Cheap Steve on 16/08/2011 - 23:35

    Hi Llama, Thanks, you sound like you have some expertise in this area?

    I am a know nothing when it comes to building and have been on a very steep learning curve. This week it is "lights". My basic logic for downlights everywhere is that it is simple and I am not looking for lighting to be a feature + I have blown my budget in other areas of the house. I will check out the Osram LED's.

  • Garlic on 17/08/2011 - 13:36

    Clipsal should be around $80 mark.

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