How to Tell if Downlights Are Halogen or LED?

roberttimmms on 14/03/2022 - 13:44
Last edited 14/03/2022 - 13:46

I got a flyer in the mail from Accredited Power for some government incentive to replace all the halogen lights in your place with LED's for only $33.

Is there a way to check whether or not my lights are LED already? Google says to check the bulb but my downlights are frosted so I can't tell - https://i.imgur.com/5neHqin.png - do they even make halogen lights in this style?

When I try to pull them out to look inside, they only come out about this much: https://i.imgur.com/0YrUYzK.png before they feel like I can't pull anymore without breaking something.

I don't want to call the people out to come replace it only to find out they're already LED

Home & Garden Downlight

Comments

  • poboy on 14/03/2022 - 13:48
    +5

    They look like LEDs to me. I've never really seen halogens like that.

    • iDroid on 14/03/2022 - 16:14
      +3

      I'd bet my life savings they're LED.

      ($78.62 is not a huge risk, I know)

    • HeWhoKnows on 15/03/2022 - 07:45

      Correct !

  • Hybroid on 14/03/2022 - 13:49

    They do look like LEDs as don't have the depth for halogens. Can you take a picture of them on? It may show multiple bulbs in which case definitely LED.

  • boomramada on 14/03/2022 - 13:50

    Look led to me, you can take it out bit more and double check the driver if you that worried.

    When I try to pull them out to look inside, they only come out about this much:

    You can pull out more it just tension of the metal clips that holding them. Just as these green clips https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/assets/alt_2/TPDL1C2.jpg?202…

  • Keplaffintech on 14/03/2022 - 13:56
    +16

    touch them after they have been on for a minute. if you burn your finger they are halogen, if they are a little bit warm they are LEDs

    • roberttimmms on 14/03/2022 - 14:18

      Yep warm but definitely not "hot", I could leave my finger against it for ages no problem

  • mmack on 14/03/2022 - 14:05

    LED's with external driver - you can keep pulling them out if you move the arms toward the centre of the downlight

  • vinzchang on 14/03/2022 - 14:29
    +3

    on 5 minutes
    halogen - very hot
    led - warm

  • pegaxs on 14/03/2022 - 14:44

    LED, I have exactly the same in my house.

  • jason101 on 14/03/2022 - 15:17

    They are SMD LEDs, halogens get way too hot to use that cheap plastic surround or lens.

  • roberttimmms on 14/03/2022 - 15:20
    +1

    Thanks all, from all the suggestions it sounds like they are most definitely LEDs, in which case no need to call them out to replace

    • tekisei on 14/03/2022 - 18:22

      These look like 90mm LEDs, but for your reference even if they were halogens, the fee to replace them would be something like $20 each, not a $33 unlimited flat fee which only covers MR16 and GU10 bulbs (and not recessed lights).

      • Ashless on 15/03/2022 - 10:23

        These companies that replace you whole house with LED lights then claim an energy rebate from the govt in your behalf. That's how they make money on such a low fee to the home owner.

        https://www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/browse-energy-offers/hous…

        • tekisei on 15/03/2022 - 11:25
          +1

          Yes I am aware - I have used this rebate myself.

          I am saying that the rebate essentially only covers MR16 and GU10 bulbs. (Edit: E27, B22, PAR38 also seem to be covered in NSW and VIC)

          If replaced bulb doesn't work, guess what, the replacement transformer will cost you extra. If you want an integrated LED downlight, well its going to cost you extra as well - either the rebate isn't big enough for those types, or the companies don't actually want to waste time doing these (more labour intensive, need to drill, clean up) compared to just replacing bulbs.

  • websterp on 14/03/2022 - 16:10

    LED 100%

  • kmwa on 14/03/2022 - 19:44
    +3

    Just for future reference, an easy way to check this sort of thing is to look at the light with a toy spectroscope.
    Halogens have a smooth range of colour all the way from red through to violet, but LEDs show 5 or 6 distinct bright lines in different colours, depending on the phosphors used in the lamp.

  • brad1-8tsi on 14/03/2022 - 21:12

    That's a LED

  • bamzero on 15/03/2022 - 12:41

    Definitely LED.
    Halogens would normally have an inner part to the fitting you can twist to release when changing the bulbs.
    Also that's a heatsink on the back of the fitting which halogens don't have.

  • OzHunterNSW on 15/03/2022 - 16:23
    -1

    You telling me you have absolutely no idea. What does it say on the pack…. why are you showing an image of a crack… what do you think LED stands for

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