How many LED downlights for my kitchen?

[don Logan]

Hi, i'm sticking downlights in my kitchen. The ceiling measures 3150x4100mm and i'm not entirely sure how many downlights to put in. There's a lot of insulation above and not much room so i was gonna stick in LED's as they don't give off much heat.

How many LED downlights would people generally use for a kitchen this size?

I was thinking 6 (in 2 rows of 3), but am not sure if that would be too bright as i'm using LED's instead of halogen. I don't really want to pay out for dimmable LED's and a dimmer; I'd rather get the right amount of downlights.

Never used LED's before so am unsure of light output. Anyone got any advice and a link for some decent LED's?

Thanks.

 

[telectrix]

i'd go for 5watt kosnic LEDs. alternatives from diamondledlighting.co.uk. but i would go for more than 6.

 

[don Logan]

Ok, maybe i'll stick 8 in then.

Do those 5 watt Kosnic LED's fit into normal 230v downlights then? Or do i need downlights with electronics in them?

Thanks.

 

[pjcomp]

Just did a shower room 3m x 2m - started with 4 LEDs (4.5W), 2 for the shower at one end and 2 for the toilet at the other end. Next day hosueholder wanted 2 more for the gap in the middle as there was a darker area there, so ended with 6. Admittedly the fittings were IP65 so less light spread than if the lamps were lower in the fitting. Reckon in a kitchen your size I'd add another row of 3 to that.

The lamps I used were 230V EBrite and fitted into standard JCC fire-rated IP65 downlighters no trouble

PJ

 

[Pat Tester]

can you provide a plan of the kitchen and ceiling height as this will have more impact than just the quantity. I would use
decent integrated led downlights like Halers, these come with a 7 year guarantee so are fit and forget,, they look excellent and provide a decent amount of output and are available in warm white or daylight.

 

[telectrix]

as long as you buy GU10 LEDs, they fit standard 230V GU10 downlight fittings. nothing else required. it's the MR16s that require drivers.

from the dimensions you have given, i'd fit 2 rows of 4 each.

 

[don Logan]

Ok cheers, as for the kitchen plan Pat Tester- It's a square, 3150x4100mm, only one wall unit, so not much to block out the light, other than that i don't know what to say.

I was thinking, if i use LED's, then can i get away with using non fire rated GU10 fittings? Being as they don't give off much heat... I'm prepared to spend on the LED's instead of buying GU10 halogens, but if i can save on the fittings without compromising fire safety, then i will. What am i looking at per fitting for LED's? Does a standard £8(ish) pound GU10 fitting with a £20 LED lamp sound about right?

Thanks.

 

[KevinS]

I would personally go for 12 in a room that size, kitchens need to be bright

If you put less in, I would try and plan the lights so if you need to put more in you can do without filling the holes you have already cut

 

[kellogs64]

the fire shields your supposed to use are to stop fire from spreading through your house quicker,not to shield the heat givin off by the bulbs

 

[Lucas]

I would personally go for 12 in a room that size, kitchens need to be bright

If you put less in, I would try and plan the lights so if you need to put more in you can do without filling the holes you have already cut

Seriously? It would be more like Blackpool pier than a Kitchen!!

 

[kellogs64]

Why not spend a bit more and fit a dimmer problem solved more versatile as well

 

[KevinS]

3 rows of 4 would probably be right.
mark it out on the ceiling, see what it looks like.
how many spotlights is a million dollar question, it's all down to personal taste, shape of room, colour of kitchen units, the list goes on an on. That's why I say make sure you can add extra if required.
other ways - fit a dimmer (as mentioned) or put them on more than one switch.

 

[Resu]

LED's tend to be brighter but the light doesn't tend to spread as much as halogens.

 

[Octopus]

I'd recommend having at least 2 switches so you don't have to have them all on at once

 

[HandySparks]

I'd use these:
Ledlite LED Downlights IP66 Fire Rated
They're dimmable as standard and if you don't like the spread of light once they're fitted, you can always change the lenses.