Energy Efficient LED Downlight Benefits
The top 8 reasons to choose LED lighting.
✔ LED Downlights cut down your electricity bills.
✔ Safer lighting option. LED’s downlights reach safe temperatures of up to 50°C. Halogen lamps reach dangerous temperatures of >370°C which can lead to house fires.
✔ Greater choice of colour; warm white, cool white, daylight.
✔ Low maintenance. LED downlights last about 20 times longer than traditional lights.
✔ Superior robustness means LED downlights are shock resistant and less fragile than traditional globes.
✔ LED downlights are high quality and achieve full brightness in microseconds.
✔ LED downlights reduce the power of your cooling system in summer.
✔ LED downlights are eco-friendly and mercury free, eradicating the health and environmental issues associated with the traces of mercury found in various lamps available on the market.
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LED Colour Range
Sapco’s LED downlight colour range consists of the three most popular colours.
6000-6500K=daylight
4000-5000K=cool white:
3000-3200K=warm white:
Warm white is the colour the general public is accustomed to as it is a very similar colour to halogen lamps.
Cool white and daylight LED downlights are bright white colours. The main difference is the light that daylight (6500K) emits has a slight blue tinge and as the name suggests, it provides a true light comparable to the sun.
Colour Range Examples
LED Beam Angle advice
When replacing existing halogen downlights with LED downlights, a 90 degree beam angle in our opinion, is the best option. A 90 degree beam provides an even spread of light, acceptable for retrofit purposes in the average Australian household with a floor to ceiling height of 8ft.
For higher ceilings and above work benches, to achieve maximum brightness we recommend using a 50-60 degree angle. Sapco’s 50-60 degree beam LED downlights provide fantastic light at work bench level. 15-50 degree beam angle lights create a spot light effect and therefore can be used for decorative purposes and mood lighting.
LED Spacing Advice
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) has set new lighting regulations as of late 2011.
For new homes and renovations, you are only permitted to install:
- 5 watts per square metre (5W/sqm) of lighting indoors
- 4 watts per square metre (4W/sqm) of lighting in outdoor areas (including verandas)
- 3 watts per square metre (3W/sqm) of lighting in garages
E.g. 3 x 4 m indoors room is permitted 5W/sqm)
3 x 4=12M (Sq)
12 x 5w =60w. We are allowed to use a maximum of 60W for this room.
If installing high powered halogen lights, it would be difficult to achieve an acceptable light level.
When installing energy efficient LED lights, the regulations are feasible. Generally when installing LED downlights, it is recommended to install lights 1m from the walls and space the lights between 1.2m and 1.5m apart. Positioning can alter depending on the amount of light required and the design of the room, which should be taken into consideration when planning lighting positioning. E.g. Task areas such as kitchen benches may require smaller spacing between the lights. Some rooms may aesthetically benefit from installing an even number of LED downlights as opposed to an odd number.
Light Per Room Guide
| LED light | lumens | Beam angle | 2 x 3m room | 3 x 3m room | 3 x 4m room | 5 x 4m room | 5 x 5m room |
| 6W GU10 downlight | 445 | 60° | 3-4 lights | 4 lights | 6 lights | 6-8 lights | 9 lights |
| 8W GU10 downlight | 465 | 90° | 3 lights | 4 lights | 6 lights | 6-8 lights | 9 lights |
| 15W 12V downlight | ≥1000 | 50° | 2 lights | 3 lights* | 4 lights | 6 lights | 6-8 lights |
* We would recommend choosing a lower wattage to achieve an even number of lights)
What is the difference between 12V and 240V?
Most existing homes with recessed downlights installed use a MR16 connection. This downlight connection runs on a 12V circuit, and requires transformers to drop the voltage level from 240V to 12V.
Many new homes now use a GU10 connection especially when installing LED downlights. This downlight connection runs on a 240V circuit and therefore does not require transformers. Transformers and LED downlight drivers draw power as well as the light, therefore 240V downlights are more energy efficient.
12V connections can be recognised by the two vertical pins at the end of the downlight.
240V connections can be recognised by the two vertical plugs at the end of the downlight.
Sapco LED globes and LED candle globes are connected to a 240V circuit and are available in two connection types; Edison screw fitting and Bayonet push-and twist fitting.
An Edison connection can be recognised by the screw fitting at the end of the globe. Sapco generally stocks two sizes: E27 commonly found on globes used for ceilings or lamps, and E14, commonly found on globes used in chandelier lighting.
A Bayonet connection can be recognised by the two horizontal side pins at the end of the globe. Sapco generally stocks two sizes: B22 commonly found on globes used for ceilings or lamps, and B15, commonly found on globes used in chandelier lighting.
Can you replace your existing halogen downlights and incandescent globes with LED’s?
LED globes with a bayonet or Edison connection are retrofit and therefore can directly replace your existing Edison screw and Bayonet fittings.
240V LED downlights are retrofit and can directly replace your halogen GU10 lamps. If you are converting your down lights from 12V to 240V, electrical work must be performed by a qualified electrician.