More Frequently Asked Questions

LIGHTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

WHAT ARE INCANDESCENT BULBS?   Incandescent bulbs are the traditional, standard or conventional filament bulbs that we all recognise. The main advantage of these bulbs is the colour of light they emit - they give a slightly warmer softer light. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and with a selection of fittings - Bayonet Cap, Small Bayonet Cap, Edison Screw, Small Edison screw. The Edison screw bulbs are now becoming more widely used in the UK. 

Incandescent bulbs are, however, inefficient by modern standards and have a relatively short life (around 1000 hours).

ARE INCANDESCENT BULBS BEING DISCONTINUED?   The answer to this one is "YES". The traditional or old fashioned bulbs are being phased out in Britain in advance of the EU legislation. Many of the higher wattage bulbs are no longer available and the plan is to phase out all incandescent bulbs by 2012. They are considered inefficient and are being replaced by low energy fluorescent bulbs which are more cost effective and longer lasting.

Some specialist incandescent bulbs, such as the small bulbs used in cookers and fridges, are exempt from the regulations.

WHAT ARE FLUORESCENT BULBS?   Fluorescent bulbs are energy saving or low energy bulbs that contain gases in a tube rather than a filament. Traditional bulbs are being replaced in shops by energy saving bulbs as they save money and cause less harm to the planet. By replacing all the bulbs in an average sized house with energy saving bulbs, the saving would be around £37 a year.

Things have come a long way since the old fashioned fluorescent kitchen strip lights. The new breed of compact fluorescent lamps will only use about 11 watts of power to generate the same light as a standard 60 watt bulb and will last up to eight times longer. Many different shapes and power options are available and more are being introduced to fill the gaps as the standard bulbs are phased out. They now only take a matter of a few seconds to reach full brightness and the prices are coming down as manufacturers are able to produce them more efficiently.

When they were first introduced fluorescent bulbs produced a cold harsh light which was unpopular as it was far removed from the more yellow glow that we were all used to. Technology has improved and now fluorescent bulbs are available in a warmer white (yellower) as well as the standard cool white (bluer).

HOW CAN I TELL HOW BRIGHT FLUORESCENT BULBS ARE?   Most compact fluorescent bulbs give the equivalent standard wattage on the packaging. As a general rule of thumb if you multiply the low energy wattage by 4 or 5 this will give you roughly the equivalent standard amount of light you can expect. For instance if you want a compact fluorescent bulb that is equivalent to a standard 100 watt bulb you should be looking for a 20-23 watt fluorescent bulb. 

CAN LOW ENERGY BULBS BE DIMMED?   Most energy saving bulbs are not compatible with dimmer switches at present and cannot be dimmed. New energy saving bulbs are coming on to the market which can be dimmed. At present they are rather expensive and not readily available, but we expect prices to come down in the next few years as more are manufactured.

WHAT IS A HALOGEN BULB?   Halogen bulbs have a filament and contain halogen gas. They give an attractive light which closely resembles sunlight. They can be low voltage or mains voltage. They are more efficient than the old fashioned or standard bulbs as they only use half the energy to produce the same light output and can last up to twice as long. Halogen bulbs are commonly used in car headlights. The 3 main types of halogen bulbs are spotlight bulbs, small capsule bulbs and linear or tube bulbs.

The main advantages of halogen bulbs are that they are smaller in size, they last longer and they give a brighter sharper light. This bright sharp light is a good choice for reading and craft/design work. The disadvantages are that halogen bulbs get hotter than standard bulbs as they operate at higher temperatures and they are more expensive.

IS IT TRUE YOU SHOULD NOT TOUCH HALOGEN CAPSULE BULBS WITH YOUR FINGERS?   YES! You should not touch halogen capsule bulbs with your fingers. Halogen bulbs, tubes and capsules are made of quartz, rather than ordinary glass, so they can withstand the higher temperatures. If you touch the bulb with your fingers, the salts and oils from your skin will damage the bulb and cause the heat to concentrate. This can significantly reduce the life of the bulb or even worse cause it to shatter. For this reason most halogen capsule bulbs that you buy will be sealed in plastic inside the box.

To fit a halogen capsule bulb, we recommend using a paper towel to insert the bulb into the light fitting and removing it when the bulb is correctly seated. Should you accidentally touch the bulb you can clean it with methylated spirit.

ARE HALOGEN BULBS BEING PHASED OUT?   Halogen bulbs are still considered to be wasteful of energy and expensive to run and many halogen bulbs are being phased out. The target is to phase out all of the inefficient halogen bulbs by 2016. Energy saving halogen bulbs are now coming onto the market and these are a good option if your fitting uses halogen bulbs. The energy saving versions consume around 30% less electricity than the standard versions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAINS AND LOW VOLTAGE HALOGEN? 

 Low Voltage - the first thing to say is that low voltage does not mean low energy. Low voltage lights operate at 12 volts and this means that a transformer is needed to reduce the voltage from the usual 240v down to 12v. The transformer can either be incorporated into the light fitting itself or fitted separately. The advantages of low voltage over mains are that they are safer and more cost effective to run. The low voltage halogen bulbs last longer than mains halogen ones and are often cheaper to buy. They are up to 20% brighter and for this reason lower wattage bulbs can often be used to achieve the same light output, thus reducing the running costs. The main disadvantage is that they are more expensive to purchase initially if you need a separate transformer.

 Mains Voltage - these lights operate at the usual 240 volts direct from the main electricity supply. Mains halogen lights give a good overall spread of light. They are cheaper to buy in the first place and there is less to install and less to go wrong.

CAN I DIM MY HALOGEN LIGHTS?   Mains halogen bulbs can be dimmed with any standard dimming system or dimmer switch. We recommended that the dimmer should have a 25% higher wattage rating than the fittings to allow for any increased load which can happen when the bulbs are coming to the end of their life.

It is a little trickier with low voltage halogen as these lights can only be dimmed if you have a dimmable transformer and a compatible dimming device. Most of the low voltage halogen lights on the market with integrated transformers are not suitable for dimming. Your electrician may be able to change the transformer to allow you to dim your light and he can then help you select the correct dimmer. If you have a separate dimmable transformer always make sure you check the compatibility of your fitting with the dimming device and that the dimmer has sufficient capacity to control the load on the circuit. Again if you are in any doubt please consult your electrician.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS - WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER?   Down lights are becoming very popular and when installed in a room can help to create an uncluttered look with a feeling of space. The fitting is largely out of sight as it is hidden in or above the ceiling. The only part on show is the decorative rim with the bulb in the middle. They are especially popular in kitchens and bathrooms as they give a modern sleek appearance to a room. The current trend is to put recessed down lights in other rooms as well - contemporary sitting rooms, bedrooms and hallways all look good with recessed down lights. When selected carefully and in the correct numbers they give an even shadow free light.

They come in many finishes including white, chrome, satin chrome, satin nickel, polished brass, antique brass and satin brass. Usually down lights have a pressed steel or cast aluminium lamp holder with a decorative rim that is held into the ceiling using spring clips or compression clips.

There are 2 basic down lights available- fixed or adjustable.

 Fixed down lights - these are the basic down lights which have a fixed centre. The bulb is fixed into the lamp holder and held in place by a spring clip or a twist and lock mechanism. The twist lock mechanism is normally used in higher quality cast aluminium fittings where the front has a removable section that twists and locks holding the bulb in place.

 Adjustable down lights - these are constructed in the same way as the fixed down lights but the main difference is that the centre of the fitting can be tilted allowing some adjustment of the spotlight beam. These can be useful of you want to direct the light at an angle towards a kitchen worktop or sink.

Down lights can be expensive to run, so make sure that you know how much power they will use before embarking on putting down lights in every room. Remember it is the watts that count and not the volts.

If you are building a new property or renovating an existing one there will be various rules and regulations that you must comply with. Regulations cover all manner of things from sound insulation (how far sound travels through a down light), draft proofing, fire rating (how long they will prevent a fire spreading to the room above), how much space is needed around and above the fitting in the void or ceiling above, as well as how efficient they are (how much light is produced from the power used). Your local council will be able to advise you on the regulations that apply in your area.

Although it is probably stating the obvious, you will need to cut holes into your ceiling in order to install down lights, so you need to be sure this is the way you want to go. If you decide you do not like them afterwards, you will be left with lots of holes in your ceiling which will be difficult to disguise.  To view The Lighting Company's recessed ceiling lights just click

http://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/spot-lights-c21/recessed-ceiling-spots-c22

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SHOULD I CHOOSE MAINS OR LOW VOLTAGE RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS?   There are a number of different choices here and each has it's own advantages and disadvantages:-

 Low Voltage Halogen Down Lights - low voltage down lights run at 12 volts rather than the at the mains voltage of 240 volts. Low voltage bulbs give a crisper whiter light, tend to last longer, are safer and can use a lower wattage for the same light output. 

On the down side you will need a transformer to reduce the voltage which adds initially to the cost and is an extra thing that could go wrong. If you choose low voltage down lights, we recommend using one 60 watt dimmable transformer for each 50 watt down light. If a problem does then occur it will be isolated and if a bulb goes you will not shorten the life of the other bulbs if you do not replace it immediately. If you want to dim your down lights ensure that your dimmer is compatible with your transformer. 

The 12v spotlight bulbs used in down lights are generally MR16 (or GU5.3) bulbs which have 2 straight pins on the bottom. They are available in many brands, wattages and beam angles. These spotlight bulbs do generate a lot of heat.

The option to replace these bulbs with energy saving ones is a little limited at present.

 Mains Voltage Halogen Down Lights - these down lights give a good quality of light and can be dimmed using a standard dimmer. Most mains voltage down lights generally use a GU10 halogen bulb (the twist and lock type with 2 small bolts on the bottom) that is either 35 or 50 watts. They are relatively cheap to buy and easy to install as they do not need transformers.

There are a variety of energy saving GU10 bulbs available. A word of caution here though as it can be a little complicated to find the best one for your down light. Not all low energy GU10 bulbs are equal in terms of size or light output and most are considerably longer and often fatter than a halogen GU10, so may not work with your down lights. Not many of the energy saving GU10 bulbs are capable of being dimmed. Low energy GU10 bulbs are available that are the same size as halogen bulbs and will fit into any light fitting that uses GU10 bulbs. Please take care to select bulbs that will work in your fitting and give you the light output you want. 

A recent introduction is the LED GU10 bulbs. These have a number of advantages over halogen GU10 bulbs. They are cool to the touch, very low energy which gives you huge savings on your electricity costs and are very long lasting (over 35000 hours). A good quality 3 watt LED GU10 will roughly equate to between 35 to 50 watts of standard light output. The main drawback at present is the cost as the better quality LED bulbs will cost in the region of £20.  Be careful if you find bulbs considerably cheaper than this as they may not give the light output you are expecting. If you want to dim your down lights you will also need to check that the LED bulbs you purchase can be dimmed.

 Dedicated Low Energy Down Lights - these down lights are designed and manufactured to use low energy bulbs only. They are energy efficient and a good compromise between price and the amount of light produced. They use compact fluorescent bulbs which provide a good light and a wide beam angle which gives a better spread of light in the room. At the same time they will save you money on running costs. At present the majority of compact fluorescent bulbs cannot be dimmed.

DO MY RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS NEED TO BE FIRE RATED?   Most ceilings have a fire rating that is used to calculate the time it can hold back flames from spreading to the upper floor - a normal rating would be 60 minutes. When you cut holes into your ceiling to install down lights you reduce this fire stopping capability and fire can spread between floors though the holes in your ceiling. By installing fire rated down lights you ensure the ceiling remains an effective barrier. 

For commercial applications, new builds and rented properties, all down lights must be fire rated when installed into a ceiling with living accommodation above. Most electricians will use fire rated down lights throughout regardless. The minimum fire rating for down lights is generally 30 minutes but 60 or even 90 minutes is a better option. The choice is yours, but we would always recommend using fire rated down lights where there is living accommodation above. Your local council will be able to advise you about the regulations applicable in your area. 

Down lights are often manufactured with integral fire hoods which may also have an acoustic rating which is often required for building regulations. Again your local council will be able to advise you. If down lights do not have an integral fire hood, separate fire hoods can be purchased relatively cheaply and these simply fit over the top of the down light.

HOW MUCH CEILING SPACE DO I NEED FOR RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS.?   The instructions provided with the down lights that you purchase will usually specify the minimum space needed in the recess above the ceiling in order to be able to fit the lights. As a general rule aim for a minimum of 120mm of space in the recess above to allow for any movement of directional fittings and to accommodate any fire hoods and to ensure ease of installation. Allow for a minimum of 50mm clearance all around in other directions for good ventilation. The insulation should be cut back not pushed back as it will creep back if not cut. If you have low voltage down lights do not cover the transformer.

HOW MANY RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS WILL I NEED?   The first thing to say here is that this is largely a matter of personal preference and there are not any hard and fast rules. However we can offer some general guidance that may help you decide how many down lights you will need and where to position them.

As a first step you will need to calculate the amount of light needed in your room. Do this by following the formula explained in our earlier question -simply click the following link to this question http://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions-i40

Once you have done this, you can then calculate the minimum number of down lights that you will need - for example if you have calculated that your room need 500 watts of light, then you will need a minimum of 10 x 50 watt halogen down lights. As down lights provide directional light only, we would recommend using more than the minimum number. This is particularly important in a kitchen where you will need a good level of light. Also take into consideration any other  lights you have in the room - under cabinet lights, table lamps, floor lamps etc. It may also be worth having some of the down lights switched separately so you can create different lighting effects - for example, if you have the down lights over your kitchen work tops on a separate switch to the ones in the centre of the room you can create good task lighting for food preparation and mood lighting at other times. If you are able to dim your down lights this will extend the effects you can achieve.

WHERE SHOULD I POSITION MY RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS?   Before deciding where to place your down lights it is important is work out where the ceiling joists run. Once this has been established it will become clear where they can be placed. You are aiming for an even spread of light across the room and as a general guide the down lights should be between 90cms to 180cms apart in all directions. Exactly how far apart will depend on the room in question. Kitchens will need down lights closer together whilst those in hallways and bedrooms can be further apart. Try to keep down lights at least 80cms from a wall otherwise the light will run straight down the wall and show up any imperfections in the wall. If you are placing down lights over kitchen units they may need to be a little closer to the walls as most standard depth kitchen units are 60cms wide. In kitchens and other work areas try to position the down lights to ensure you are not working in a shadow - for example position over or to the side of your sink or desk rather than behind where you will be standing or sitting.

We would recommend that you plan carefully, making sure you are certain exactly where to position the down lights before you start cutting holes in your ceiling.

If you are planning to use LED down lights then you may need to have more down lights and position them closer together to offset the reduction in light output.

CAN I USE RECESSED DOWN LIGHTS IN MY BATHROOM?   Recessed down lights are perfect for using in bathrooms. They create a sleek stylish modern look and a crisp bright light which reflects off polished surfaces and tiles. Down lights work well in nearly all bathrooms as well as wet rooms, saunas or steam rooms.  If you have a white ceiling you can select white down lights to blend in, or alternatively select chrome or satin chrome to match in with the taps or shower. 

Take care when selecting recessed down lights for your bathroom as you will usually need special bathroom rated ones which are designed to offer protection against water penetration.

Down lights for a bathroom are not overly expensive and and are especially good for providing light over a shower or bath tub, over a sink or above a mirror or vanity unit or in any alcoves. Bathrooms need a good level of light and normally most bathrooms have only one central light. This is probably acceptable for smaller bathrooms, but if you have a reasonably sized room you could be left with darker areas and down lights could make all the difference. When looking at the lighting for your bathroom, consider the lighting levels you will need both during the daytime and at night. It is possible to use only recessed down lights in a bathroom or to mix and match with other styles of bathroom lighting. Using coloured bulbs in some of the down lights can create a lovely atmosphere for that long soak in the bathtub.

We have a good selection of bathroom lighting which can be viewed by clicking on the following link

http://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/bathroom-lights-c1/spot-lights-for-bathrooms-shower-rooms-c44

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HOW BRIGHT ARE LED BULBS?   LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been around since the 1960s and used in coloured fairy lights, display text, indicator lights, torches, traffic lights and car lights, etc. Until fairly recently LEDs have not been used for general household lighting but this is changing. LED lighting is undoubtedly the way forward for home lighting because energy use, and therefore running costs, is so much less than conventional bulbs. At present LED lighting is less commonly used due to the higher initial cost but as the technology improves they should become cheaper and more readily available. Modern super bright LED bulbs and spotlights give a strong light which compares favourably with less efficient lighting sources such as halogen or standard filament bulbs. As LEDs are fairly new, many manufacturers are giving slightly exaggerated claims regarding the light output and efficiency of the bulbs.

The number of LEDs is not the issue in determining how bright the bulb will be. The brightness of LED bulbs is measured in lumens or lux. Lumens are used to measure the total amount of light emitted by the bulb and lux measures how bright the light is on a surface at a specific distance. A candle generates 13 lumens, a 100 watt filament bulb will generate 1200 lumens and a 50 watt halogen spotlight bulb will produce about 600 lumens. The new breed of super bright LED lights produce about 80 lumens per watt of power. When choosing LED bulbs the important thing is to compare how many lumens the new bulb produces with how many lumens your old bulb produced. Available LED bulbs vary in brightness from less than 50 lumens up to around 1200 lumens. The brightest LED bulbs, that are roughly the same size as an ordinary incandescent bulb, use about 25 watts to produce light comparable to a 120 watt incandescent bulb.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LED LIGHTING?   The main advantage of LED lighting is undoubtedly the reduced power consumption. With all the Government bans and efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, LED bulbs tick all the boxes. The efficiency of the newer LED light bulbs is more that 5-6 times higher than standard incandescent bulbs which, put another way, means that LED bulbs use only about 1/6^th of the energy to produce the same amount of light. Because LED bulbs direct most of their light where it is needed they can be up to 10 times as effective in many instances, thus reducing energy use by up to 90%. LED bulbs are not only highly efficient but last considerably longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. The operational life of LED bulbs can vary from 40.000 up to 100.000 hours. Even at 40,000 hours this is 4.5 years of continuous operation which under average usage means these bulbs will last over 10years. Compared to a halogen spotlight bulb, LED spots last up to 24 times longer. LED bulbs do not burn out like other bulbs they just gradually decrease in light output.  The lifespan is based on time it takes for the bulb to fall to 70% of its original output although of course the bulb will still continue to function after this. LED light bulbs are eco-friendly. They contain no harmful mercury, do not emit any CO2 and can be recycled without harming the environment. They do not produce damaging UV radiation. Because LED bulbs approach 90% efficiency i.e. 90% of the energy is converted to light and only 10% is lost as heat energy, they are cool to touch. Compare this to an incandescent bulb where 80% of the electrical energy is lost as heat, making these bulbs very hot to the touch. Finally LED bulbs come on at full intensity, perform well when frequently switched on and off, can be used with a dimmer switch and there is no “buzzing” or “flickering”.

ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES WITH LED LIGHTING?   The initial cost of LED bulbs or light fittings is much higher than conventional alternatives. However when you look at the energy saved and the cost of replacing conventional bulbs the payback is enormous. Because LED bulbs are not available in very high wattages you may need more LED lights to produce the required light level. However you will still be using up to 85% less electricity.

WHERE CAN I USE LED LIGHTS? LEDs can be used anywhere other forms of lighting are used and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They are best used where directional lighting is needed – spotlighting for bathrooms and kitchens, flood lights and track lighting, reading lights etc. They are also a good choice where lights will be left on for long periods e.g. shop window lighting, exterior garden lights etc. The long life of LED lights makes them a perfect choice where access for maintenance is difficult. Low level LED lights can be used for mood or accent lighting and are ideal for lighting plinths in kitchens, for insetting into stairs or for using under shelves. For outdoor use, LED lights can be recessed into decking, used around or inside swimming pools, for lighting drives or pathways or to highlight garden features. LEDs are available in a number of different colours. Warm white and cool white tend to be the most popular but there are blue, yellow green, red and colour changing options as well. Have a look the possibilities and be inspired by clicking on the following link to view our selection of LED lighting.

http://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/search/led-lights

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DO YOU HAVE A LOW ENERGY GU10 SPOTLIGHT BULB?   Yes we have a LED retro fit GU10 bulb that will fit any lights that take a standard GU10 bulb including recessed down lights and kitchen spotlight bars. It is exactly the same size as a standard GU10 halogen bulb so is a direct very low energy replacement. It will save a massive 90% on running costs when compared to a standard 50 watt halogen GU10 as it only uses 3 watts of power. The light output of our GU10 LED bulb is equivalent to a 50 watt halogen bulb and will last considerably longer. The LED bulb supplied by the Lighting Company is guaranteed for 2 years and should last anything up to 10 years. Our LED GU10 is available in a warm white, cool white or natural white. Our warm white LED GU10 is also available in a dimmable version. The cool white gives a sharp colder white with a slight bluish hue that makes a great light for reading. The natural white is similar to daylight whilst the warm white gives a more yellowish light that is similar to an old fashioned incandescent bulb.  Just click the link below to view our LED GU10 bulbs.

http://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/search/led-gu10-bulbs

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