Old halogen downlights drink power, run hot enough to be a genuine ceiling-fire risk, and turn yellow as they age. Modern LED downlights use a fraction of the energy, last 15 to 25 years, and the colour temperature can be tuned to the room, warm 2700K for bedrooms and living areas, neutral 3000-4000K for kitchens and bathrooms. Done well, the upgrade transforms how the rooms feel. Done badly, you end up with a grid of glaring spots that flatten every surface.
The difference is in the planning. We look at the room layout, the ceiling height, the joinery, and where you actually need light versus where you don't. A typical 4m x 4m living area is usually four to six fittings on a properly planned grid, not the ten halogens that were retrofitted in 2008. We use dimmable fittings on a quality trailing-edge LED dimmer, and we pick fittings with a good CRI (90+) so colours look right under them, important if you've spent money on benchtops, timber or art.
What the job looks like: we walk the rooms, mark up the new grid, talk through colour temperature and dimming, and quote per fitting installed. On the day we remove the old halogens or compact fluoros, check the existing cabling, install new IC-F or IC-4 rated LED fittings (so insulation can sit against them safely), and commission the dimmers. Most whole-house upgrades are done in a day or two.
We work across weatherboard cottages, 1980s solid brick homes and strata apartments, the ceiling structure changes what's possible, and we plan around it. If the original halogens have left holes that don't match a modern fitting size, we have plates and adapters that keep the ceiling neat without patching and repainting.
When to call us
- Halogen downlights from the early 2000s reaching end of life
- Renovation where the old lighting grid no longer matches the new layout
- Kitchen or living-area refresh with dimmable, tunable LEDs
- Reducing the power bill on a house with 40+ downlights running daily
- Replacing compact fluoros that are slow to start and colour-shifting
- New joinery, benchtops or art that need a higher-CRI light to look right
Our process
- Site walk-through: We look at each room, the existing fittings, the ceiling structure and how you use the space.
- Design and quote: Lighting grid marked up per room, fitting type and colour temperature chosen, dimmer scope included. Fixed price per fitting.
- Fitting selection: We recommend a quality IC-rated fitting with a good CRI, dimmable, with the right beam angle for the room.
- Installation: Old fittings removed, existing cabling checked, new fittings installed neatly with no exposed terminations above the ceiling.
- Dimmer commissioning: Trailing-edge LED dimmers installed and tested with the chosen fittings to confirm smooth, flicker-free dimming.
- Handover: We walk you through the new layout, dimmer presets and the warranty on the fittings.
Why choose Electrix all Blew
We're a family-run electrical business based in Bilgola Plateau. Over 38+ years on the Northern Beaches means we know the housing stock - weatherboard home, 1980s solid bricks, strata buildings - and what tends to fail in each.
We're licensed for electrical and air conditioning. We carry full public liability and contractor insurance. We turn up when we say we will, we call ahead when we're 20 minutes out, and we hold to 1-hour appointment windows.
Our 113 Google reviews sit at a 5.0 average. That's the result of doing the work properly the first time, not chasing reviews.
Frequently asked
How many downlights does a room actually need?
Fewer than most people think. A 4m x 4m living area is usually four to six fittings on a properly planned grid. Kitchens need more focused light over benches and the cooktop. Bedrooms often work better with two or three downlights plus a bedside lamp.
What colour temperature should I choose?
Warm 2700K in bedrooms and living rooms feels homely. Neutral 3000-4000K in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries gives you cleaner task light. Tuneable fittings let you switch between warm and cool depending on time of day, which is worth the small price premium in most homes.
Can the new LEDs be dimmed?
Yes, when you use dimmable LED fittings on a trailing-edge LED dimmer. We pair them as a matched system, that's where most cheap LED upgrades fall over and end up flickering or buzzing.
Will the new fittings match the old holes in the ceiling?
Usually yes, most modern LEDs come in standard cut-out sizes that match common halogen holes. Where they don't, we have plates and adapters that keep the ceiling clean without patching and repainting.
How much will I save on power?
Each halogen is roughly 50W. Each LED equivalent is roughly 7-10W. A house running 40 downlights for an average evening drops from about 2kW to about 350W on lighting alone, meaningful over a year.