Cost to install downlights

[starlyte]

How much do you think it will cost to fit a house with downlights, approx 30 lights throughout house

I am waiting on quotes from a couple of electricians, but the inlaws have warned it could cost $3k as a ball park figure

Do you think it would much much of a dent if i made the holes in the ceiling and mounted the lights so the electrician can just wire them?

or is that more hassle then its worth. The job sounds easy...

[Jumpin]

Hi Starlyte,

Dont know what they would cost, but they are terrible things. They provide a nice set of holes in the ceiling where all your heat can escape from. In particular you should not do this if you have the hot air blower type central heating or DVS. And they require more wattage per floor area to light a room properly.

If you decide to 'help' the electrician, you could cut the holes in the ceiling if you are confident of getting it right, but probably wont save you much. - do you know how many lights you will need? A half decent sparky will advise you about that. No point putting the lights in, they just click in afterwards. The sparky would need to get them out to wire them anyhow. Best saving would be to buy them cheap yourself, while the lighting shop is having a sale. If the electrician supplies them he will add a % on top.

My personal bias - dont do it!!! :-)

[spurner]

Not that I'm an expert, but IME those recessed downlights seriously suck.

The angle of light from them is quite narrow, so you often end up needing 4 spotlights in 1 room instead of 1 regular light-fitting; even then, there are bad shadows in the corners of the room. Also, the halogen lights need some kind of transformer hooked up to them into the ceiling, and for some reason the lights often tend to turn on and off sporadically, not sure if this is common but I have seen it several times. Some of them use more specialised bulbs which are harder to find.

I now have Jumpin's post to add to my list, re the heat loss.

If it's a rental then forget it, if it's your own home then you might need to take some things into consideration.

[whitt]

I have had second thought on them also. Have them in my own house and dont really like them.
For a cheap renter I would stick to chinamen hats.
If it is something nicer maybe you could just install a nice fitting or shade in same spot, bonus is no eletrician required.

[starlyte]

Just to clarify!
the downlights are not the halogen spotlight type things

They will be the normal type that can take a bayonet/ES bulb

Im going to be using R80 CFL bulbs

Reason im going for them is that i cant find a light fitting that i actually like... Im not a fan of hanging ceiling lights

Seems the best option

[rockran]

I've been toying with this myself.. downlighting actually give me a headache after a while.. dunno if others have experienced that.
The lack of variety in NZ makes the case for downlighting. Plus it seems like the mordern way of doing things.

However try a store like Bardsleys in Takapuna. I recently found something nice there I will may use instead of downlighting.

[JohnL]

I find the bulbs don't last very long either!!!!

John

[Wayne]

Just to clarify!
the downlights are not the halogen spotlight type things

They will be the normal type that can take a bayonet/ES bulb

Im going to be using R80 CFL bulbs

Reason im going for them is that i cant find a light fitting that i actually like... Im not a fan of hanging ceiling lights

Seems the best option

if you want to use CFL bulbs then you would be better to choose the correct downlight. The cost depends on the quality of the fitting - they range from $5 (and all the heat disappears as wekk as they need the insulation cleared for approx 100-200mm all around) to around $30 for the proper thing. I used the Superlux SF125F in my new house - they are specially made for CFL bulbs (a reflector that actually works properly - it is made for it and comes with a bulb) and is sealed (no heat loss). As well as that it is rated to have close fitting insulation and has over-heat protection (covered 'normal' cheap downlights can cause fires).

The disadvantage of the CFL is that you can't dim them (well you can get special dimable CFL at a price) but you don't have to nag the kids as much to turn off lights.

[Wayne]

I find the bulbs don't last very long either!!!!

John

use better bulbs - the cheap packs in Bunnings etc don't seem to last very well.

[Wayne]

Not that I'm an expert, but IME those recessed downlights seriously suck.

The angle of light from them is quite narrow, so you often end up needing 4 spotlights in 1 room instead of 1 regular light-fitting; even then, there are bad shadows in the corners of the room. Also, the halogen lights need some kind of transformer hooked up to them into the ceiling, and for some reason the lights often tend to turn on and off sporadically, not sure if this is common but I have seen it several times. Some of them use more specialised bulbs which are harder to find.

I now have Jumpin's post to add to my list, re the heat loss.

If it's a rental then forget it, if it's your own home then you might need to take some things into consideration.

retrofitting downlights would be a bit of work. For a start normal hanging fitting screw into the ceiling batten whereas for a downlight you want them as far away from a batten as possible. Also as Spurner comments you will need more lights so then need to run a bit more wire.

If they turn on and off then you have a problem. Turning on by themselves - poldergists. Turning off on their own - overheating?

[Wayne]

A good article on CFL
http://superlux.websitedevelopment.n..._Web_file2.pdf

[starlyte]

if you want to use CFL bulbs then you would be better to choose the correct downlight. The cost depends on the quality of the fitting - they range from $5 (and all the heat disappears as wekk as they need the insulation cleared for approx 100-200mm all around) to around $30 for the proper thing. I used the Superlux SF125F in my new house - they are specially made for CFL bulbs (a reflector that actually works properly - it is made for it and comes with a bulb) and is sealed (no heat loss). As well as that it is rated to have close fitting insulation and has over-heat protection (covered 'normal' cheap downlights can cause fires).

The disadvantage of the CFL is that you can't dim them (well you can get special dimable CFL at a price) but you don't have to nag the kids as much to turn off lights.

Indeed, I have not purchased the lights yet, But i have had a look in lighting direct, For $25 they are selling a downlight that comes with the R80 CFL bulb, So i can only presume that it has the correct reflector and that its in fact designed for the bulb!

I will keep a look out for the Superflux though, Where did you buy them and how much do they cost?

I have an electrician coming this afternoon to give a quote

[Wayne]

Indeed, I have not purchased the lights yet, But i have had a look in lighting direct, For $25 they are selling a downlight that comes with the R80 CFL bulb, So i can only presume that it has the correct reflector and that its in fact designed for the bulb!

I will keep a look out for the Superflux though, Where did you buy them and how much do they cost?

I have an electrician coming this afternoon to give a quote

Superlux - I got them from the Hamilton Lighthouse but they had to order them in. When I purchased them (6-8mths ago) they were the only DL on the market specifically designed for CFL. They cost around $30 each but I got a little discount for an easy sale. Bunnings stock Superlux but not the SD125F (there is a SD125 and it isn't the same) but they may get them in on order and do a good price.

If not designed properly (ie a CFL in a 'normal' DL housing) you will get worse light than a normal bulb and many people consider normal bulbs to give insufficient light - so you will end up with less than insufficient.

[Mentorman]

Your own home

If this is a renter I would only use standard fittings , to difficult for many tenants and the bulbs cost to much so they dont replace and they leave on all the time in winter ...

[starlyte]

Not renting, I own the house (well the bank does)

Unfortnatly the electrician never showed... Now i need to arrange someone else to quote..