T
Telramund22 Apr 2013 13:49Hello,
we are planning to light most of the house with LED ceiling spotlights.
Now we have the following questions:
- Is it possible to dim LEDs, and if so, what is the price difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LEDs? Do you need any special additional equipment (cost?), or is a simple dimmer sufficient?
- Are there now LEDs with true warm light? It would be nice if the light is not too harsh and cold. A few years ago, LEDs were still sold as warm light under this premise.
Thank you very much!
we are planning to light most of the house with LED ceiling spotlights.
Now we have the following questions:
- Is it possible to dim LEDs, and if so, what is the price difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LEDs? Do you need any special additional equipment (cost?), or is a simple dimmer sufficient?
- Are there now LEDs with true warm light? It would be nice if the light is not too harsh and cold. A few years ago, LEDs were still sold as warm light under this premise.
Thank you very much!
S
syrincsandy23 Apr 2013 06:24Hello, I have had the best experience with LED lights from Toshiba and Philips. These are dimmable by default and usually work well with a basic dimmer. A specialized dimmer would, however, be better.
I would always recommend high-voltage light bulbs without additional transformers.
The light color has become really nicely warm white, but you need to spend at least 25 € per LED.
If the spots are to be installed in a concrete ceiling, you will need special mounting boxes.
Best regards, Andy
I would always recommend high-voltage light bulbs without additional transformers.
The light color has become really nicely warm white, but you need to spend at least 25 € per LED.
If the spots are to be installed in a concrete ceiling, you will need special mounting boxes.
Best regards, Andy
Hello,
Until the beginning of this week, I was also facing the decision of which recessed ceiling lights to install in our new build. Junction boxes are embedded in the concrete ceiling, which would also allow the installation of a driver tunnel. However, we have now decided to go with standard high-voltage recessed spotlights with a GU10 base, into which we can install either classic halogen or LED bulbs. Pure LED recessed spotlights (without the option to change the light source) would have cost about three times as much per spotlight (€90 instead of €30), plus the cost for the driver/power supply. If you want dimmable LEDs, the cost advantage of the high-voltage spotlights is somewhat reduced, as they tend to be significantly more expensive than non-dimmable ones, as syricsandy already mentioned. I hope this was the right decision, but as with many things, only time will tell.
Until the beginning of this week, I was also facing the decision of which recessed ceiling lights to install in our new build. Junction boxes are embedded in the concrete ceiling, which would also allow the installation of a driver tunnel. However, we have now decided to go with standard high-voltage recessed spotlights with a GU10 base, into which we can install either classic halogen or LED bulbs. Pure LED recessed spotlights (without the option to change the light source) would have cost about three times as much per spotlight (€90 instead of €30), plus the cost for the driver/power supply. If you want dimmable LEDs, the cost advantage of the high-voltage spotlights is somewhat reduced, as they tend to be significantly more expensive than non-dimmable ones, as syricsandy already mentioned. I hope this was the right decision, but as with many things, only time will tell.
It depends on what you "want"...
In recent weeks, we equipped the entire upper floor with LED spotlights.
I already shared a detailed description here:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/niedervolt-spots-in-decke.7273/
Maybe it helps with your planning.
Regarding your questions:
Yes, dimmable LEDs can be dimmed.
We used non-dimmable 6.5W LEDs (GU5.3) for about 21.60 € each (lighting element).
Equivalent (comparable) dimmable LEDs from the same manufacturer currently cost 21.95 €.
However, there are also options (even from the same manufacturer, not no-name) for 14.95 €.
So, I don’t see a significant price difference between dimmable and non-dimmable.
A dimmer should be enough if you use GU10 sockets / LEDs and the LED is dimmable.
If you use GU5.3 sockets / LEDs, that should also work. However, I would pay attention to the transformer to make sure it can handle the load. Cheap transformers (often included with LED multi-sets) tend to start humming.
Yes, there are. Usually, they are labeled as “warm white” in the title or description. Up to 2700 K, the light can be considered pleasantly warm white, but from 3000 K it shifts more towards a clinical, hospital-like lighting.
Regards
Andi
In recent weeks, we equipped the entire upper floor with LED spotlights.
I already shared a detailed description here:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/niedervolt-spots-in-decke.7273/
Maybe it helps with your planning.
Regarding your questions:
Can LED lights be dimmed, and if so, what is the price difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LEDs?
Yes, dimmable LEDs can be dimmed.
We used non-dimmable 6.5W LEDs (GU5.3) for about 21.60 € each (lighting element).
Equivalent (comparable) dimmable LEDs from the same manufacturer currently cost 21.95 €.
However, there are also options (even from the same manufacturer, not no-name) for 14.95 €.
So, I don’t see a significant price difference between dimmable and non-dimmable.
Do you need special additional equipment (cost?), or is a simple dimmer enough?
A dimmer should be enough if you use GU10 sockets / LEDs and the LED is dimmable.
If you use GU5.3 sockets / LEDs, that should also work. However, I would pay attention to the transformer to make sure it can handle the load. Cheap transformers (often included with LED multi-sets) tend to start humming.
Are there now genuine warm white LEDs? It would be nice if the light isn’t so glaring and cold. A few years ago, LEDs were sold as warm light but weren’t really.
Yes, there are. Usually, they are labeled as “warm white” in the title or description. Up to 2700 K, the light can be considered pleasantly warm white, but from 3000 K it shifts more towards a clinical, hospital-like lighting.
Regards
Andi
Addition or note: (why can’t I find an "edit button" here?):
GU10 spotlights usually require a greater installation depth than GU5.3 bulbs. For GU5.3 (low voltage), you need a corresponding transformer, which typically costs between 19 and 70 € (depending on the number of spots to be operated), which in my opinion is quite reasonable.
I hope that the LEDs will be cost-effective over time.
1. LEDs inherently last significantly longer than halogen spotlights (we currently replace 2-3 halogen spots in the bathroom once a month).
2. For example, with 4 x 6.5 W LEDs (equivalent to 30-50 watt halogen spots) in the bathroom, I need a transformer for a maximum of 30 watts, not 200 watts as required for equivalent halogen lighting.
3. I also consume only about 26 W of power with 4 x 6.5 W LEDs. With halogen, it would be 200 watts... over time, this should pay off (hopefully).
GU10 spotlights usually require a greater installation depth than GU5.3 bulbs. For GU5.3 (low voltage), you need a corresponding transformer, which typically costs between 19 and 70 € (depending on the number of spots to be operated), which in my opinion is quite reasonable.
I hope that the LEDs will be cost-effective over time.
1. LEDs inherently last significantly longer than halogen spotlights (we currently replace 2-3 halogen spots in the bathroom once a month).
2. For example, with 4 x 6.5 W LEDs (equivalent to 30-50 watt halogen spots) in the bathroom, I need a transformer for a maximum of 30 watts, not 200 watts as required for equivalent halogen lighting.
3. I also consume only about 26 W of power with 4 x 6.5 W LEDs. With halogen, it would be 200 watts... over time, this should pay off (hopefully).
M
Marion00525 Jul 2013 10:34As my predecessors have already mentioned, LEDs are definitely dimmable, but not all of them. You need to check carefully. We have had good experiences with Philips LEDs, for example. We installed some Philips LEDs in our bathroom—they are also dimmable and provide a pleasant, bright light (which is certainly an advantage in a bathroom). Philips also offers many other LEDs with different color temperatures.
It’s best to get advice from an electrician on how strong the LEDs should be in each room to ensure proper lighting!
Best regards,
Marion
It’s best to get advice from an electrician on how strong the LEDs should be in each room to ensure proper lighting!
Best regards,
Marion
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