1. LUMENS:
You are paying for light (Lumens), not Watts, so be careful not to select a downlight just by wattage. However, this indicates that more efficient and better quality lights will have higher lumens/watts, reducing power usage. Some suppliers and their packaging will need to be more accurate and will supply the LED chip lumens rather than the actual output lumens. The output lumens will be about 15% less but sometimes even as much as half. If you are not sure about the packaging, do a comparison.

2. DIMMING:
Check whether the downlights are dimmable or not. Most LED downlights are dimmable, although the dimmer switch can affect how much they dim. Some downlights do not dim as well as others and can flicker on lower settings. Dimming can be very useful in creating the right mood and reducing glare but, just as important, will save energy usage and often increase life span. When a downlight is dimmed, it saves power according to the level at which it is dimmed, unlike the old halogen globes that did not offer savings when dimmed.

3. LIGHT COLOUR:
The following critical selection is the Light Output Colour. Most LED downlights are now offered with a 3-colour switch, enabling you to select the light colour that suits you best. Cheaper Led downlights do not give you this option and if you are not happy with the colour chosen, you would need to purchase a new LED downlight. The 3 colours selected are also important: Warm White (3000k), Natural White (4000-4500k) and Cool White (5000-6000k) are the most common.

4. CRI, LIGHT QUALITY:
Not all LED chips are the same. The Kelvin temperature given is an average value, so 2 different LED lights on 3000k, 4000k, or 5000k can look very different. It is hard to see this on the packaging, so making a comparison is a good idea. You can also compare the CRI value - CRI means the colour-rendering index. The higher the CRI, the better the light quality. Generally, a CRI value of over 80% is suitable for homes and >90 for shops and displays. I have seen some downlights with the same Kelvin, with unattractive green or pink tints.

5. IC-4 or IC-F Certification:
LED Downlights are generally safer than the old halogen fittings; however, they still get hot and must be installed according to manufacturers’ specifications. All downlights should now have IC-4 or IC-F certification - IC-4 is a higher certification. This indicates less than a 0.4mm gap, preventing any ingress of insects or materials that could add to fire risk. With this certification and built-in drivers, downlights can now be installed with abutting insulation, which means insulation gaps in your ceiling, or canisters, to prevent blow-in are not required, thus making your house safer and more efficient. Do not purchase downlights that do not have this certification, and do not allow builders to install these as it compromises your ceiling and insulation efficiency and, more importantly, your safety.

6. CORDS & PLUGS:
All LED downlights come with cords and sockets unless in a concrete slab. Electricians install plug bases in the ceiling, one for every downlight. Do not allow downlights to be hard-wired (installed without the sockets) unless in a slab, as this will void the IC-4/F certification and make it more difficult and costly to replace your downlight if it fails or if you want to change it.

7. IP-RATING:
The IP rating indicates how well the light is sealed. The higher the IP rating, the better sealed it is. The first digit indicates the resistance to dust and particles, and the second number indicates the water resistance. For outdoor use in areas that get rain, IP65 is required. A LED downlight with a higher IP rating has the added advantage of preventing insects from getting into the fitting and affecting the appearance of the light.

8. BEAM ANGLE:
Many LED downlights are installed with a flat white diffuser. This gives a wide spread of light, covering almost 180º in some cases. They provide excellent light that reaches the walls and makes rooms look brighter. If the light in a room does not reach the walls, even if the lumens are very high, the room will still look dark.

9. LOW GLARE LED DOWNLIGHTS:
This has become a highly overlooked option. With all the cheap, wide-beam LED downlights on the market, combined with people experiencing disappointing results previously from old halogen lighting, most people are more concerned initially with supplying excessive brightness. This takes away a home's relaxing feel and mood and can produce an office-like effect. Recently Low glare lighting is coming back, as people are noticing the difference and realising there are better options. These lights provide far less glare, are more comfortable, provide more mood and look nicer. The comprehensive beam downlight is still preferable in some areas, and lights can now be selected according to where and how they are placed.

10. SMART LED DOWNLIGHTS:
LED Downlights can be a very smart choice; not only can they be dimmed to save energy costs and achieve the desired mood, but the colour temperature can also be set and adjusted as required, not just to 1 of 3 settings anywhere from 2700k to 5700k. There are even full-colour options now available. Smart Downlights can also include timers and alarms as well as being able to be connected to other smart devices.

Check out our LED Downlight Products here: https://greenhse.com/products/lighting-perth/led-downlights-perth.html