Recommendation for ceiling led lights

[newbury]

I'm putting a 3 room, about 600 sq ft addition on a house and the Architect is wanting most of the new lighting to be "can lights". We are going the Architect/Permit/Contractor route.

I hate some can lights. We had a stairway put in at one house in Mississippi and while I was away the contractor convinced SWMBO to have halogen can lights put in. All the expense of LED's plus the added heat.

Since LED prices are dropping I'm looking for pointers to some good LED ceiling lights, preferably not cans.

I did run across this article dumping on can lights. Kick the Can! - No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope.

 

[Opti-Mist]

We've replaced some of the recessed can light bulbs with LED bulbs. Better light and less heat without having to replace the cans.

 

[JimRB]

It is your house. Don't use can lights if you do not want to.

 

[Scooby074]

Im swapping in Phillips Par30s when the CFLs in the cans burn out. There are 2 versions of the Phillips bulbs though, one is cheaper and much lighter while the one Im using is considerably heavier and more money. http://www.homedepot.ca/product/led-13w-par30-bright-white/926040 To me that means that there is more metal and a better heatsink in the heavier ones. Heat is the enemy of electronics. Two of the Pars are over a year old now and no problems. 4 CFLs down, 3 to go.

 

[leveled]

I have had some good and some bad ones.

I have bought GE's from Sams club the best dimmable led bulb I have ever used.

I have had horrible luck with Cree did not like it and it broke, I returned it.

GE the bulb type from Walmart, I do not like these. They do not dim well.

You also could just put some cheap florescent bulbs in there temporary, and then try some out or wait for a sale or price drop.

 

[jk96]

We used Lithonia recessed cans and put in Feit Electric par 30 for most of them. Great light output. They've only been in a year so far so not much of a track record but no problems so far.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've started using the 4 inch LED recessed lights and really like them. I just get what they have on the shelf at either Lowes or Home Depot.

Eddie

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I ordered an LED bulb from amazon that is supposed to replace the 50W halogens. It came today, and has a different base, has 2 knobs instead of pins like my Halogens. Not sure what kind of fixture it fits, but not mine.

 

[Looking4new]

I wouldn't have a can light in my house. All my lights have now been traded for LED's. The CFL bulbs are in the bathroom cupboard for just in case the LED's burn out, not likely but better safe than sorry. There are 2 incandescent bulbs left in the house. One in the oven and the other in the fridge. They weren't cheap, but at least the hydro usage might go down. Three adults in the house and not a one of them know how to turn off a light when they are not in the room.

 

[Looking4new]

I ordered an LED bulb from amazon that is supposed to replace the 50W halogens. It came today, and has a different base, has 2 knobs instead of pins like my Halogens. Not sure what kind of fixture it fits, but not mine.

This is what they sent you?EcoSmart 50W Equivalent Bright White (3000K) MR16 GU10 LED Flood Light Bulb (E)*-ECS 16 50WE WW FL GU10 120 TP - The Home Depot

and this is what you need?EcoSmart 50W Equivalent Bright White (3000K) MR16 LED Flood Light Bulb (E)*-ECS 16 50WE WW FL TP - The Home Depot