Efficiency Matrix Halogen Mitt and LED Mitt

Halogen downlight fittings are a popular lighting option; however, by their nature they can be inefficient and dangerous. The major inefficiency effects include draughts, convection currents and thermal bridging (bypassing insulation). From a safety perspective, trapped debris in recessed light fittings can also create a potential fire hazard.

The Halogen Mitt and LED Mitt have been designed to help prevent these inefficiencies by changing the whole dynamics of recessed lighting.

The Halogen Mitt is a sealed downlight cover made from an intumescent material and is suitable for retrofit of existing 50 W halogen light fittings. The Halogen Mitt has two key certifications: an R-value of 0.514 and a fire rating (which is very different from being fire resistant). Insulation can be installed directly up against the downlight cover, helping to prevent draughts and completely removing the amount of exposed plasterboard within an insulated roof cavity.

As a retrofit, the Halogen Mitt downlight cover comes with an energy-saver halogen lamp that changes the dynamics on where the lamps dissipate their heat. The lamp is available in 35 and 20 W with 60 and 38° beam angle options. Featuring a silver backing, the lamp design reduces heat build-up behind the fitting by forcing light and most of the heat downwards, enabling the cover, with an R-value, to be fitted behind it.

With the LED Mitt, the cover acts as a shield to protect the LED lamp from the high temperatures produced in the roof cavity during summer.

The benefits of installing the Halogen and LED mitts include: fire-rated cover that is capable of repelling and smothering a fire; energy savings of up to 25% for heating and cooling; and a lower wattage lamp can be used, saving around 30% on energy while providing equal light output to a 50 W lamp.

The covers are easy to install from above or below the ceiling, making it suitable for DIY applications. In a low-voltage application, an electrician’s licence is not required for installation.