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[Taxi_Driver]

Fitted these today, in the kitchen...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0076R4LS2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ok not as bright as the 50W halogens they replaced....probably about 35W, but certainly ok at 10% power consumption of the halogens.

Had to rewire 2 of the fittings....as the transformers wernt LED compatible....i just disconnected the transformers...that didnt like the leds bulbs and connected the light fitting to the transformers that were ok with them....result 

Fitted these to my bedroom, to replace the halogens....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BQQNUYK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Same again....not quite so bright....about 35W brightness....but fine in the bedroom.....and again 10% of what the halogens 

[plym ian]

We sell led bulbs at our place, trying to convince customers to part with £10-£15 for one bulb is easier said than done

But saying that we do some good light output LEDs for not a lot of power also hardly any heat at all

[Rods2]

Earlier this year I replaced my 12v 20W halogen desk lamp with a couple of 1.5W LED desk lamps a £3.99 from Lidl. Excellent lights and with both on using next to no power.

[chrisgixer]

How can I tell if a transformer is led compatible...?

[Varche]

Well I have a hate relationship with new fangled bulbs. I used to think I embrace new technology but on bulbs I am disappointed. Our garage has a 100watt light bulb that probably has been there since 1996. A few years ago I bought eight expensive low energy guaranteed light bulbs for outside lights(correct ratings) and half have already gone. Can't find the receipts. Can't find bulbs either that give off the same light(colour or intensity).

Last week we bought a new ceiling light fitting. 60 euros. Asked the shop for two bulbs like the ones on display. 15 euros each - ten year guarantee or these are better 30 euros( about £25) with a lifetime guarantee (whatever that is?!!) We bought the two cheapest Osram (low energy) bulbs in the shop 6 euros for two.

I'll need some convincing that the capital outlay for LEDs and possibly transformers will pay back before I die.  And that is living in a country with the third most expensive electric bills in the EU

[Taxi_Driver]

How can I tell if a transformer is led compatible...?

If its an old type....ie transformer (and will be round in shape) then it will work with LED's

If its a newer type (oblong shape) then it will be a switch mode power supply and will need a load on it to work and should say on the label its load range. ie 20W to 50W. LED compatible would say on the label 0W to 50W for example.

Theres nothing stopping you using the 20W to 50W type, but you would have to rewire the bulb holders so you have at least 5 LED bulbs in parallel (if the LED bulbs were 4W) to achieve a combined load of 20W to enable the transformer to work 

[aaronjb]

I recently replaced all the lights in our house with LEDs - actually started the process some time ago in the livingroom with Ikea bulbs.. which were awful.

Now I have every GU10 & MR16 spot lamp replaced with "MiniSun" brand lamps that are, I reckon, as bright as their halogen equivalents and mean the kitchen now uses 24W rather than 400W.  I think the main bonus being the south facing kitchen/diner doesn't get another ~350W of heat thrown into it on summer evenings!  These are the GU10s.

Ditto upstairs; in the office I tried out the 5W versions of the above - even brighter.. but honestly I think overkill unless you only have a few lamps.

The livingroom got two big 6W LED 'globes' - these - they're fine for everything but reading at night as the light is in front of you so the pages of a book (well, kindle) are in shadow.  Really need a reading lamp behind the sofa for that.


Still, the kitchen lights get left on a lot as we're always in & out of there, as do landing lights etc so hopefully there's something of a saving to be made there.

[Kevin Wood]

Replaced our 8 50w halogen lights in the kitchen with GU10 CFLs a couple of years back and I can't wait for them to fail so I can replace them with LEDs. Seems as they age, they take longer and longer to reach a sensible level of light output. Yes, they save energy, but you need to leave the things on all evening on the offchance that you might need to go into the room.

It seems LEDs are finally becoming a viable replacement so we will soon see the end of the CFL with a bit of luck.

[Taxi_Driver]

I recently replaced all the lights in our house with LEDs - actually started the process some time ago in the livingroom with Ikea bulbs.. which were awful.

Now I have every GU10 & MR16 spot lamp replaced with "MiniSun" brand lamps that are, I reckon, as bright as their halogen equivalents and mean the kitchen now uses 24W rather than 400W.  I think the main bonus being the south facing kitchen/diner doesn't get another ~350W of heat thrown into it on summer evenings!  These are the GU10s.

Ditto upstairs; in the office I tried out the 5W versions of the above - even brighter.. but honestly I think overkill unless you only have a few lamps.

The livingroom got two big 6W LED 'globes' - these - they're fine for everything but reading at night as the light is in front of you so the pages of a book (well, kindle) are in shadow.  Really need a reading lamp behind the sofa for that.


Still, the kitchen lights get left on a lot as we're always in & out of there, as do landing lights etc so hopefully there's something of a saving to be made there.

You dont actually say aaron, but i assume, doing a quick bit of sums, you replaced 50W halogens.

I had to google the LED type, you bought against the LED type i bought....
Yours 3257 LEDS GU10, mine 3258 LEDS GU10.....the number just refers to the size of the chip (ie 32mmx57mm)....mine have 60/lamp, yours 58/lamp ......so you would expect them to be the same brightness......however mine are certainly not as bright as 50W halogens....but you have twice as many bulbs as me.....depends on size of room i guess 

One thing i have noticed is, that the LEDS bulbs dont cast a hard shadow, that the halogens did....ie if the bulb is behind you, with halogen the shadow in front of you was quite defined, with LED it isnt.......

Maybe its just different makes  But price difference is quite considerable....yours about £6/bulb....mine about £2.50/bulb

[Taxi_Driver]

Replaced our 8 50w halogen lights in the kitchen with GU10 CFLs a couple of years back and I can't wait for them to fail so I can replace them with LEDs. Seems as they age, they take longer and longer to reach a sensible level of light output. Yes, they save energy, but you need to leave the things on all evening on the offchance that you might need to go into the room.

It seems LEDs are finally becoming a viable replacement so we will soon see the end of the CFL with a bit of luck.

Kinda defeats the reason for them, doesnt it 

[Taxi_Driver]

A further note to LED bulbs...

After experimenting with a few different type of LED bulbs...

I have come to the conclusion that 'COB' LED bulbs are the way to go. I bought 4x 8w 'COB' bulbs for the kitchen.....and i reckon they are quite a bit brighter than 50w halogens.

An example of 'COB' bulbs, but i didnt get them from this supplier, just so you know what they look like 

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6W-9W-MR16-GU10-COB-Warm-White-LED-Light-Bulb-Energy-Saving-High-Power-Lamp-Bulb-/321382672074?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&var=&hash=item4ad3e666ca

5W cobs are probably equal to 50w halogens, but i dont know for sure, as i havent bought any.

But a point to note, the higher the wattage of them, the bigger they are, so if you are buying mr16 bulbs, check that they will fit your mr16 fitting before buying. GU10 fittings shouldnt be a problem, as they are generally not recessed in the ceiling