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One of the questions we are always getting asked is: "can I get low energy bulbs for my inset spotlights / ceiling lights?" Inset ceiling lights are now really common in kitchens and hallways, and although they may only be 30 or 40 W each, the sheer number of them tends to mean that together they burn a lot of energy. Low energy spotlights are available, but they are very varied in quality, and its hard to know which are any good without buying some and testing them. Here we have an overview of these types of lights, since it turns out it all gets a bit complicated when you look into it! Types of fittings:The two types most often seen are the catchily-named GU10 and the MR16. The main difference between these two chaps are their fitting types, and the voltage they run on. - MR16's have two pin-like fittings and run on low voltage (12V), and if you have these, you'll also have a transformer somewhere.
- GU10's which has two knobbly, cylindrical fittings and runs on normal mains voltage (240V AC).
There are also some other less common types about such as the MR11's and MR8's, which are smaller versions of the MR16's. You can also get some LED spotlights with standard ES and SES fittings which we stock in our shop.
What about LED versions? You might have come across LED lights, which use very little power (maybe only 10% of the energy normal bulbs use). They're probably going to be the future of lighting, since they produce loads more light per watt of energy used than other bulbs. For only a couple of Watts you might get the light-equivalent of 15-20W of a halogen and produce hardly any heat. LEDs also have very long lifetimes and can last as long as 80,000 hours.
So why isn't everyone using LED lights? Well unfortunately, the technology isn't quite up to the job yet. First of all, most LEDs are non-dimmable, and their light tends to be more white/blue than the standard white/yellow colour lights. But the main thing is they just aren't really bright enough - yet. They seem very bright when you look at them directly but they lack projection. So while they are perfect for traffic lights and bike lights, they're often not as good for casting light down. Hence most honest suppliers will recommend LEDs like the one above are used for aesthetic use (that's marketing speak for not very bright). But if gentle light is all you need, they're perfect, and cost pennies to run. Where can I can I get some?Energy saving spotlights are widely available these days - you can source them at your local DIY store or even supermarket, websites that sell them include Amazon, Ethical Superstore, and Your Welcome who supply a particularly good range of affordable spotlights.
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