downlight guards

[neil_ev]

Hi there

Is it necessary to use downlight insulation guards if LED GU10 lamps are fitted?

 

[telectrix]

you need to keep the insulation away from the immediate vicinity of the fittings. how you do this is up to you. personally, i just tear it out of the way.

 

[thomas-1981]

I tend to use guards even with LED lights. I'm sure if you remove to much insulation this can create a cold spot and if the property is poorly ventilated damp marks could appear around lights. Better to keep insulation intact if possible. Obviously add the cost of the guard to the price.

 

[firemanowl]

I was in a mates loft a while ago helping him move some stuff and whoever rewired his place had used small terracota plant pots over the spot lights, seemed to be doing the job.

 

[thomas-1981]

Need to get a Dobbies account opened

 

[Guitarist]

When I fitted 8 halogen units to my house ten years ago I built boxes out of plasterboard to keep the insulation off (due to having loads of offcuts in the garage). Dropped the units down a few months ago and there's no sign of heat whatsoever. During those 10 years I've replaced 1 lamp.

 

[neil_ev]

My point was, that as LED lamp produce very little heat is there still a need to fit the guards, given that they're a tenner each. Regarding the plant pot solution it would look a little unprofessional to put plant pots in a customers attic

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Try explaining plant pots and the grow lamp you had spare in the loft....

 

[kingeri]

Just leave a gap in the insulation around the fitting. Or give the customer the choice. Regarding using LED lamps, well you could probably cover the fitting with insulation and be ok (don't actually do this), but what's stopping someone replacing them with halogens??

 

[papycompany]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiIOkZxIxaM maybe that will help but like it was said above I will keep them as far away as I can from wool insulation even with the cap on

 

[Guitarist]

My point was, that as LED lamp produce very little heat is there still a need to fit the guards, given that they're a tenner each. Regarding the plant pot solution it would look a little unprofessional to put plant pots in a customers attic

There are some units designed to allow insulation directly on top of them, but most will require a minimum air gap to maximise their lifespan. The simple answer is just that...simple.... Follow manufacturers instructions

 

[shocking_eg]

just because there LED's don't mean that they can be covered up.

the heat sinks actually give off a lot of heat and you will find your lamps wont last very long if there running hot..