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

 

[buckeyefarmer]

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

Yes i got the GU10 base. I thought it showed the 2 pin base.

 

[Looking4new]

I have made the same mistake myself.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I missed it, it says GU10, I didn't know what that was. I was looking at lots of different ones and missed it. Only ordered 1 to try, so probably will just keep it. going to order one of the pin ones now.

 

[newbury]

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

Eddie - Are you using them for yourself and/or clients? Why 4" not 6"?

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.

"Can" lights (recessed light fixtures) can be LED.

 

[PILOON]

I think we need to see a few changes happen to home wiring B4 LEDs will actually be really an effective alternate.

Currently we wire for 110/220 and LEDs want low voltage DC.
We'll probably need to see dual systems like 110/220 as well as a 12(?)vdc circuitry for the LEDs.
Currently each LED device has to incorporate a conversion and voltage dropping circuit all which adds $$s and that to simply adapt. Not really efficient and much more chances for faults and defects.

One transformer and rectifier bridge could power a whole house of LED lighting and be much more efficient and also minimize maintenance.
Naturally newer problems get introduced such as contacts at low voltage and amperage get more critical as corrosion becomes your worst enemy.
In AC circuitry brass is excellent for contacts but at 3 volts gold becomes a norm with silver 2nd best.
The other option is all soldered contacts.

110/220 demands a licensed electrician while low DC does not. (industrial machinery uses 24VDC which eliminates that need)

Were I to build a new home I'd be strongly inclined to incorporate some sort of dual style system. Perhaps a DC circuit around the ceiling perimeters for area lighting and perhaps stairwells as well.
Reading areas and specific task sites would probably want to stay conventional.
On the other hand rechargeable LED devices could satisfy that need.