I am looking to change the spotlights within my house from Halogen fittings to LED. I've been reading up and I think that the cost saving on our bills could be quite significant! I've read some things that put estimates at around 80-90% saving on lighting, with lighting estimated to make up about 2/3 of your average bill!
The previous owner was an electrician, and must have got a bumper deal on fittings because they are splattered all over and probably costing us a fortune!
We have MR11 and MR16 fittings (I think I counted about 80 in the house in total!) and as far as I know each and every one is on a separate electronic transformer.
I have checked the some transformers and they are rated from 20watts min (I'm assuming that they are generally similar throughout) and I've worked out that the new LED lights will not work with the existing transformers.
So, I am now at a position where I could either choose to;
1 - buy new LED transformers (drivers) to run new LED lights installed into the existing fittings and have them wired up into appropriate new combinations.
2 - buy new GU10 mains powered LED fittings and do away with the separate transformers completely.
I'd like to hear what peoples thoughts are on this and particularly what they think would be
a) the easiest
b) the most cost effective
c) the most energy efficient
option to take. Also, do I need to be aware of any further repercussions to my electrical system?
I'd also like to know if anyone has any recommendations for where to buy lights, fittings and or LED transformers from. My house is in Hertfordshire so brick and mortar stores not a million miles away - or websites would be great.[/u]
The previous owner was an electrician, and must have got a bumper deal on fittings because they are splattered all over and probably costing us a fortune!
We have MR11 and MR16 fittings (I think I counted about 80 in the house in total!) and as far as I know each and every one is on a separate electronic transformer.
I have checked the some transformers and they are rated from 20watts min (I'm assuming that they are generally similar throughout) and I've worked out that the new LED lights will not work with the existing transformers.
So, I am now at a position where I could either choose to;
1 - buy new LED transformers (drivers) to run new LED lights installed into the existing fittings and have them wired up into appropriate new combinations.
2 - buy new GU10 mains powered LED fittings and do away with the separate transformers completely.
I'd like to hear what peoples thoughts are on this and particularly what they think would be
a) the easiest
b) the most cost effective
c) the most energy efficient
option to take. Also, do I need to be aware of any further repercussions to my electrical system?
I'd also like to know if anyone has any recommendations for where to buy lights, fittings and or LED transformers from. My house is in Hertfordshire so brick and mortar stores not a million miles away - or websites would be great.[/u]