We are about to move into a new project home. I have an electrician friend who will help me install downlights. I am energy conscious but of course I also want to light the rooms sufficiently, I also want to dim the lights. I have borrowed a sample of the new compact fluorescent lamps in a downlight fixture and with it temporarily wired to an extension chord whilst I held it at the ceiling in a dark room my wife and I were not impressed with the light out put, it was 11W supposedly the equivalent of a 60 Watt but it was more like our camp light in our tent and of course was not dimmable, this lead us to borrow a new Infra red coated dichroic 12 V lamp, which of course is dimmable, the one we borrowed was 20 W but there is a 37 W available that is more like a 55W lamp (apparently) this seemed to give a better light and is the way we are thinking of going, as it has power consumption advantages and gives good light, our dilemma now is how many to fit to a room, getting advice from the internet has confused me no end as some say better to fit more and use dimmers and others suggest 6 is plenty for an average room.

I have light fittings which take 3 candle globes. One fixture which is in the lounge room has a dimmer switch attached.

Could you let me know if there is an energy saving dimmable candle globe that can be used. If not what type of replacement dimmable energy saving globe would be appropriate?

I need some advice on what type of globes would be suitable. Possible your firm could supply them for me if there is anything suitable.