Lighting typically makes up a meaningful chunk of a home's electricity use, and LEDs use around 75 percent less energy than halogen bulbs while lasting five to ten times longer. Most households notice the difference on their next bill after an upgrade.

Yes. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are being phased out of the Australian market wherever an LED equivalent exists, and that shift has been picking up pace over the past few years. If your home still has the original halogen downlights from a build or renovation years ago, it's worth having them assessed as part of a broader residential electrical service.

They can, and it's a genuine risk rather than a scare tactic. Halogen downlights run hot, and if ceiling insulation sits too close to or in contact with the fitting, that heat has nowhere to go. It's a known cause of roof space fires in Queensland homes, particularly older ones. Queensland Fire Department has more detail on this specific risk on their structural fire safety page.

IC stands for insulation contact. It means the fitting has been designed and tested so ceiling insulation can safely sit against it or cover it without overheating. Most modern LED downlights carry this rating, whereas older halogen fittings generally don't, which is one reason insulation is often left with gaps cut around old downlights.

No, and this one comes up a lot. Any fixed lighting work, including installing or replacing downlights, counts as electrical work under Queensland law and has to be done by a licensed electrician. Beyond the legal side, incorrect wiring or clearance around a downlight is exactly the kind of thing that leads to the fire risk covered above.