"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
Over the past few months, I have been gradually swapping some of the most
used lamps over to LED versions. 3.5w for those areas where a bit of
background light is needed, leaving 20w CFL's in place where occaisional
bright lights are needed. 2x 3.5w LED's to replace a 38w double D CFL
which originally illuminated the drive and is on a solar clock.

My latest change has been to swap some ancient kitchen ES downlighters.
When I originally installed these I intended them for 100w ES reflector
flood lamps. These tended to be in use much of the day, when the kitchen
was in use, so they needed frequent replacement, expensive and were a
large consumer of watts. Several years ago I replaced them with 22w CFL's
but due to the recessed fitting, the light was never that good, so I ended
up supplementing it with a concealed 70w tube.

I recently ordered up some 12w ES LED flood lamps hoping they might
provide a better light, better economy and last longer. I don't yet know
about the 'lasting longer', but they provide a much better, more even
light and brighter light than either the 100w floods, or the CFL's gave.
In addition, due to the overall lamp swapping - consumption has gone down
quite markedly.

The only problem that I've had is with the angle of beam coverage. We have
GU10 mini reflector lights in the bathroom (three aimed vertically downwards
through different parts of the ceiling) and in the kitchen (five on a
horizontal strip so each one can be aimed individually).

When we changed from tungsten to LED we found that there were dark patches
in between the areas lit up by each lamp, and a much sharper cutoff at the
edge of the beam.

If GU10s could be made with a wider beam coverage and a softer edge to the
beam, they'd be even better. We've got used to the ones in the kitchen,
though when we have the kitchen cupboards changed I might see it we can have
small LED lamps fitted under the cupboards to provide more light on the work
surfaces in addition to the overhead spotlights.