Why did this happen ?

[Ginvariant]

Are there many downlighters in your house? One of my sister in laws has ten downlighters in her kitchen that were rarely turned off between first thing in the morning and last thing at night. They were fitted with 50W halogens, but have now been replaced by 5W LEDs, so a saving of 450W for about 16 hours a day.
This alone averages out to a continuous saving of around 300W, or around half of what you have saved.

You might well be on to something here. We certainly had 2 groups of 4 12v 50w B&Q halogen downlighters in the kitchen, that I replaced with an equal number of 5w leds at about that time. Trouble is, I doubt they were ever on for more than about 6hrs a day, and it was pretty much a halving of electricity usage from one year to the next (and all subsequent ones). It's been so long, I had forgotten I changed these and only remembered when I read the bit about the kitchen.

 

[littlespark]

Never thought of downlights. That make a massive saving.

The house behind mine was the development show house, and had 60 x 35W halogen downlights on, nearly 24 hours a day for several months as the houses were built.

Now it’s a private home, I’ve been in doing some work and the plasterboard ceiling around each downlight is so brittle through heat… you just have to look at it funny and it crumbles.

I changed a lot of the halogens to LED, and the owners are so pleased with the difference in their electric bill just through that one change.

 

[brianmoooore]

My mother's kitchen was lit by a single 5' fluorescent tube, rated at 58W, and was every bit as well lit as one with 10 x 50W halogen downlights consuming nearly ten times as much. Now the halogens are replaced by LEDs, and we're back to 50W.
So much for progress.

 

[littlespark]

My mother's kitchen was lit by a single 5' fluorescent tube, rated at 58W, and was every bit as well lit as one with 10 x 50W halogen downlights consuming nearly ten times as much. Now the halogens are replaced by LEDs, and we're back to 50W.
So much for progress.

yeah... but you dont get the high frequency flicker and the annoying hum you get with a fluorescent.

LED = Instant light.... dimmable if required.... choice of colour temperature, or choice of RGB colour if so desired.

 

[brianmoooore]

the annoying hum you get with a fluorescent.

Easily cured with a bit of folded cardboard wedged in the right place.

 

[littlespark]

Easily cured with a bit of folded cardboard wedged in the right place.

fire risk, surely?

 

[pc1966]

Easily cured with a bit of folded cardboard wedged in the right place.

Uncomfortable to walk around with, surely?

 

[brianmoooore]

Fine when the sharp edges wear off.

 

[pc1966]

My mother's kitchen was lit by a single 5' fluorescent tube, rated at 58W, and was every bit as well lit as one with 10 x 50W halogen downlights consuming nearly ten times as much. Now the halogens are replaced by LEDs, and we're back to 50W.
So much for progress.

Recently I replaced the 5' fluorescent fittings in my parents kitchen (is is about 15m long but only about 3m wide at most) with dual strip LEDs, about the same power but brighter (eyes not what they were) and better colour rendering, also near-instant on.

 

[nicebutdim]

Recently I replaced the 5' fluorescent fittings in my parents kitchen (is is about 15m long but only about 3m wide at most) with dual strip LEDs, about the same power but brighter (eyes not what they were) and better colour rendering, also near-instant on.

Not a fan of downlights and have a decorative LED ceiling light in the kitchen at around 35W. Could be brighter, but on a par with 4' LED batten and under cabinet lights can be used by anyone cooking more than a pot noodle.

 

[pc1966]

Not a fan of downlights and have a decorative LED ceiling light in the kitchen at around 35W. Could be brighter, but on a par with 4' LED batten and under cabinet lights can be used by anyone cooking more than a pot noodle.

These days it seems most lights are not really designed to light the place! For example, the pitiful arrangements in many hotels, etc.

Also the likes of kitchens without light to actually prepare food with ease. Doh! Who cooks these days?!