Do my downlighters need changing?

[User5274959]

Do these look like old downlighters in my first floor bathroom? Should I upgrade them?

Been in this house about a year and the survey did mention some older style downlighters which weren't fire safe.

I did notice the bulb was really hot after not being on long.

Lots of the bulbs have gone so it's whether I just source the right bulbs and change them or time to get an electrician in and replace them. Don't want any fire risks.

I would replace them. You will get lower wattage LED lights which are far more efficient and don’t get hot.

And I guess that's a job for an electrician rather than a matter of just changing the bulbs myself?

Yes, the whole units need changing, nee ones have transformers, and circuit needs to be checked.

To sell you need it done/checked by an electrician, but if it is for yourself anyone reasonably handy can change them my husband did all of ours ( there were a lot). Screwfix sell them in large sets - we had around 50 to change.

These appear to be be 12v mr16 bulbs which you can get led bulbs for.

If they are old you sometimes find that the lights flicker because they don't draw enough current for the transformer they are attached to...

I think nowadays they’re supposed to have fire hoods on. Not sure any of mine do but we had to have ours all changed at work to meet new safety requirements.

Just had a look about fire hoods - seems like it's not strictly necessary where there's not living accommodation above (it's just the attic above the bathroom) but still recommended.

Hmm I'm not sure now, I might try to get LED bulbs for them and see if that works, as someone said that's possible.