Downlights in loft conversion - LED, Halogen, other?

[JP_]

I am having down lights in my loft conversion, mostly due to lack of headroom (about 2m ceiling).

I have them in the kitchen on a dimmer switch, but notice that when stood directly below them (they are positioned nicely over work top areas) they are really hot. Not sure I want that in the bedroom, especially with lower ceiling.

I have a dimmer-able LED bulbs in the living room chandelier (sounds post, but I am not!), and although I have not actually reached up to touch them, they do not seem anywhere near so hot.

Are dimmable LED ceiling lights an option for loft conversion ceilings? There will be solid insulation above - I guess the bulb casings will require some sort of additional protection?

Any suggestions for the best bulbs / lamps for a low ceiling. I want dimmable bulbs, not too hot.

Pleased to say that the dimmable LEDS I put in over 2 years ago are still going strong. Spent £35 on 5 bulbs, seemed steep at the time, but they have not failed me yet (touch wood). Still not convinced they will last 25 years though - maybe I will pop back in 2038 with an update ....

 

[ericmark]

There is a L2 version of GU10 designed for complying with building control which only allows use of LED lamps. Well should also allow cold cathode but never checked if there is a dimple in cold cathode lamps. I personally think they are daft as not all LED GU10's have the dimple.

To dim a LED lamp there are two ways.
1) The lamp is very basic and wastes a lot of energy in a resistor.
2) The driver inside the lamp reads the chopped wave form as a signal to reduce output.
The problem is it's hard to work out which is which. We are looking at 50 lumen per watt to 100 lumen per watt so one is twice as efficient to the other number 2 is the best method. It also means more or less heat from the lamp.

I would personally not use dimmable LED lamps. If wiring from scratch then split 1/3 and 2/3 so three levels of lighting on two switches far better than a dimmer.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Are dimmable LED ceiling lights an option for loft conversion ceilings? There will be solid insulation above

Will you have to cut into the insulation to install these lights?

If so, expect huge pain trying to ensure moisture- and air-tightness, and grief (quite possibly refusal to allow it) from Building Control.

I guess the bulb casings will require some sort of additional protection?

From what?