Installing downlights

if efficiency is your thing then there are CFL's to use or LED's (although these have a large outlay cost)
 
Sponsored Links
yes, i see.
Apparently not.


Some people here would have you believe that the only 'good' way light a room is have the ugliest P of S hanging from your ceiling, simply to reduce the wattage used.
Some people here would have you believe that the only 'good' way to light a room is to have the ugliest Ps of S holes peppering your ceiling simply to ensure an offensively inelegant solution.
 
The pro is they look good, and if installed properly, will light your room well, despite what two members on this site will have you beleive.

The con is they are horribly energy inefficient.
Those two statements are incompatible.

If they are horribly inefficient then they cannot possibly be doing a good job.

I drive a six litre V12 ferrari enzo. It is horribly inefficient in comparison with a smart car which does exactly the same job as the enzo of getting you from A to B.

I personally think the enzo is fantastic to travel in, despite it having horribly inefficient fuel economy.

I wonder given the choice, which car most normal people would choose?
 
1) To do what? Carry 4-5 adults with 2-weeks luggage on a touring holiday of Europe? Not an Enzo, that's for sure.

2) To go to Ikea and collect a few Billy bookcases? Not an Enzo, that's for sure.

3) To sit for 2-3 hours every day in stop-start peak-time traffic? Not an Enzo, that's for sure.

4) To ferry the kids to school along suburban rat runs with width restrictions and sleeping policeman? Not an Enzo, that's for sure.
 
Sponsored Links
But there are situations where the enzo would be the preferred car?
 
Thanks for the responses. I was really concerned about breaking any building regs by having this guy install them over a qualified electrician?

I think I might need an electrician to fit them in a bathroom or kitchen but not the rest of the house...is that correct?
 
Downlighters installed in any room in a domestic property is a notifiable activity to your LABC.

Unless your handyman is a registered domestic installer, he will not be able to legally carry out this work without first getting approval from the LABC and paying their fees.
 
Sorry, more specifically extra low voltage lighting installations, other than pre-assembled, CE-marked lighting sets.
 
ah ok, so having the standard 240v 50w kind fitted will be ok and I do not have to notify anyone?
 
Depends where you are, and where they are. As said, if you're in England or Wales, please read this: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part-p.

They will be notifiable in the kitchen and bathrooms, and as they are a fixed building service your work counts as a material alteration, and I'm afraid that no matter how much RF bangs on about his Ferrari, a bunch of 50mm recessed lights is unlikely to be seen as complying with L1. (And that reg applies to all of the house, not just special locations). Installing those types of lights and saying "OK I'll use fluorescent or LED lamps then" is unlikely to be acceptable to Building Control because they know you can put 50W incandescent lamps in.

You may find that the whole project becomes notifiable anyway, depending on what other renovations you do, particularly to the existing electrical installation. Lighting a house with those lights requires masses of them, and lighting circuits can get overloaded. New circuits to allow for that will be notifiable.

If/when you sell, an obviously renovated house will likely invite questions about notifiable work, and lack of a Building Regulations certificate could be problematic.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top