Member Comments

We have installed these and so far are impressed. http://www.lightingplus.co.nz/lighting/recessed-lights/ceiling-fluorescent-240-volt/vida-140-fluorescent-downlight-white-2700k.html
The frosted glass cover hides and diffuses the ugly spiral bulb and would seem to prevent heat loos as the diffuser is tightly sealed (threaded mount). The bulbs are 23W and the units are spaced @ 2.0m in a 2.7m ceiling

I refitted my whole house with the Halcyon R633 W. Firstly you can insulate right up to AND over the top of it. Yes it has all the approvals and ratings to allow insulating over the top. I've had mine about 1-2 years and run fine with about 150mm of pink batts over the top. Also they run 240V with a normal fluroescent bulb, so you dont have to keep replacing some stupid 12v transformer which always tend to fail.To insulate over you must use a fluro light and non flammable insulation (like pink batts) cutout size is dia 125m. You can contact halcyon.co.nz to see where to get the light... *Disclaimer- Take this advice at your own risk and check manufacturers instructions before installing!

slightly confused. i know i have old style downlighters (dozens of the blighters) and they are sucking heat out of my ceiling. I want to be able to put the loft insulation over them. So I know I need to replace them with newer ones.
I also use CFL bulbs (havent used incandescent in years....from UK). I know the light doesnt all come out when use standard cfl in recessed but i dont find its a problem.
I dont want to buy a 'CFL downlighter' as these appear to come complete with bulb and thus are likely to be expensive everytime bulb needs replacing.
So I need to know what is the cheapest replacement downlighter that I can insulate over (need 2 year payback max)? Am now confused by all my research and comments here.
Can anyone help please?

I have been searching for a replacment downlight to fit 115mm holes our old CA rated downlights use at home. We have found a Halcyon R755 LED light that hit the market in the past couple of weeks that does the job beautifully. Is 14W /1000 lumens and IC rated. They come in 3 sizes. Got them through an electrical supplier at much cheaper price than the retail lighting shops. I understand there are more coming onto the market as manufacturers and suppliers catch up with market demand.
We have reinsulated and double glazedand this was our weak point.
GT Central Plateau

Hi all,
There are now new classifications for all downlights that are installed in NZ. A downlight must be classified as either: IC-F, IC, CA-80 or CA135 The best possible rating is IC-F, this means the product is sealed and runs at less than 80deg C while completely abutted and covered with insulation.
Switch Lighting, a Nelson based company are manufacturing an LED that complies with this IC-F standard. it is on the market in October. Large trim will be avaliable for those with holes up to 145mm diameter. This will be the best solution on the market. safe, bright, dimmable instant light.

Are there any closed downlights ot retrofit existing. Also would covering with 10L buckets in loft be safe with low energy lamps.

General comment: to anyone thinking about replacing downlights, DO IT; we have replaced 29 fittings in our 240 sqm home & noticed an immediate difference in warmth & comfort. Our power usage and bill 6 weeks later, mid-winter, is lower too :)

We were planning to install surface lighting and re-gib ceilings but then found Halcyon F-Hat rated fittings (thanks Dominic Hines) which can be covered by some insulation types eg pink batts.

There may be other suitable products too; whichever you choose, it is worth getting rid of the old un-covered fittings coz it makes a BIG difference.

Is it necessary to also use Transformer Isolators?Are there suppliers in New Zealand and any insallers in Auckland area? General feedback would be useful. Thanks
Gordon