One question that we are frequently asked is “How far apart should I put my low energy downlights?” (or, how many do I need for my room) and we are happy to give you a few pointers.
Just replace the bulbs?
We would normally use the same number of low energy downlights as you would halogen downlights – and if you already have suitable fittings this is good news as you can simply replace the bulbs. You may have low voltage MR16 (12v) or mains voltage GU10 fittings so start on our Replacement bulbs > Spot bulb page to help narrow down the choice. We currently recommend LED spot bulbs as the best option for light output, longevity and price.
Simply replacing halogen bulbs for an LED alternative will save around £10 per bulb per year based on our average usage calculations – see our energy saving calculator for more details and with examples such as the COB LED bulbs (shown on the right) the only differences you’ll notice will be a reduction on your energy bill and the amount of time you don’t spend changing halogen bulbs every time one stops working!
If you don’t have suitable existing fittings, or are starting from stratch, read on – Downlights (part II) – starting from scratch