The sale of halogen light bulbs was banned in the UK in September 2021 to reduce emissions, and save homeowners on their energy bills nationwide. LED lighting is the best alternative and rightly so - the energy-efficient light source is the best replacement for traditional bulbs owing to its plethora of benefits and durability.
With that said, you may be wondering what the differences between LED and halogen lights are. We’re here to explain. As experts in the lighting industry, with a wealth of experience in helping customers understand the various types of lighting available, we can explain the differences between both LED and halogen lighting, as well as which is better.
You can view our full range of lighting products today. For now, here's a breakdown of halogen and LED lighting.
What is LED and Halogen Lighting?
A light-emitting diode (LED) produces light when current passes through it. An LED light is an electrical light source that produces and emits light using light-emitting diodes. Visible light is produced when an electrical current flows through a microchip and ignites the tiny light sources known as LEDs.
LED lighting is the future of lighting since it is not only better than all other lighting types in all categories, but it’s also extremely flexible and far better for the environment and our energy bills. The advantages of LED lighting are almost infinite.
Halogen lighting is an incandescent light source made up of a tungsten filament enclosed in a tiny, transparent envelope that contains a minuscule amount of halogen gas and inert gas. The halogen bulb has a tungsten filament inside of it, and when electricity is applied, it starts to give out light.
So, What is the Difference Between Halogen and LED Lighting?
Halogen lights are far superior to conventional incandescent lights, yet they are no match for LED bulbs, which overpower any other lighting source with their many benefits. The brightness of LED lights is comparable to that of halogen, yet they consume 85% less power while producing the same amount of light, and achieve full brightness in a much shorter time.
Halogen lamps are an improvement from their predecessors but, when compared to LED lights, they offer nothing but disadvantages - there is simply nothing notable that halogen offers that LED does not. LED lights last up to 50,000 hours while halogen lights only have a lifespan of around 1000 hours. That’s an average of 12 years for LED compared to an average of 2 years for halogen. The difference between halogen and LED light sources is quite big - LED offers several benefits that halogen simply can not.
The Primary Uses of LED and Halogen Lighting
LED lighting is the best and most effective light technology for a range of settings and applications. Both domestic and commercial buildings and applications will benefit hugely from LED lighting. It is also the best light source for outdoor lighting, and the only light technology that can perform well in both hot and cold conditions and environments alike.
LED lights are the most suitable option for commercial applications. Owing to their exceptional durability, long life span and energy efficiency, they make for the perfect light source for any workplace or commercial building.
In a time where everyone is making their best efforts to be more eco-friendly and use less energy - to not only protect the environment but also reduce energy costs to cope with the rising electricity costs in the UK - energy efficiency is more important than ever.
LED is far more long-lasting than halogen since it can last around 10 times more years. With an up to 50,000-hour life expectancy and low energy consumption, it is a no-brainer that you choose this technology for your business’s lighting systems.
LEDs can also be used in domestic settings for any room you like. LED strips make it possible to install LED lighting pretty much anywhere you want - even around corners. Install LED lights around the entire perimeter of your room, stick them along your desk, and put them below chairs and kitchen bench tops for a look that will impress anyone.
We’ll explain the advantages in more detail a bit later, but, ultimately, LED lights last more than ten times longer than halogen lights while using 85% less energy, so it’s clear to see why LED lights are irrefutably the best.
Halogen lighting uses
Halogen lights and lamps can also be used in a wide variety of residential and commercial applications. Halogen lights were once the favoured light source for exterior car lights, particularly headlights.
Halogen spotlights were once a great choice before the ban was imposed. They provided large quantities of light to illuminate dark workspaces, or even do a product photo shoot for a large space, as halogen lamps can offer great volumes of light.
7 Great Advantages of LED Lights
When it comes to light sources, LED lights have the most benefits (by far). LED lights have the upper hand over halogen in terms of just about anything. The most notable benefits are long lifespan and energy efficiency, which ultimately make LEDs an affordable option too. Not only that, the upfront cost of LED systems is inexpensive too.
Here are some of the most notable advantages to LEDs:
LEDs are much more durable and long-lasting than traditional light sources like halogen lamps. Compared to the average 1000 hours lifespan of a halogen bulb, an LED bulb has an average lifespan of around 50,000 hours, and can exceed this. That means an LED light can last an average of around 10 to 12 years.
LED lighting is great for energy efficiency. LED light bulbs convert more of the energy used into light, meaning very little energy is wasted through the production of heat. For example, a 5W LED bulb with a 120Lm/W efficacy would produce 600 Lumens. Meanwhile, a halogen bulb with the same spec - 20 Lm/W efficacy - would need to be 30 Watts. This shows just how little energy LEDs consume for the same output.
Since LED lighting consumes less energy, you'll reduce the CO2 emissions associated with your electricity use if you choose to install them.
Not only does LED lighting last for a long time, but it also doesn’t cost much to run either. LED light bulbs use very little energy, so switching to LED lighting can significantly reduce costs on your energy bill.
LEDs light up instantly - they operate at full brightness from the moment you turn them on. They are very bright too and most products can be dimmed or even changed to any shade or colour.
LED technology has top-notch safety ratings and can come with a list of luxury features.
LED energy-saving light bulbs have an impressive fuel economy rating.
Are There Any Advantages of Halogen Lights?
When comparing halogen bulbs with LED, there’s nothing much halogen has over LED, and instead, just offers several drawbacks. However, when compared with even older light sources, halogen is an improvement on more traditional incandescent lamps. While operating at the same brightness, a halogen lamp uses around 20% less energy than an incandescent lamp.
Halogen lamps are known for their clear, sharp illumination, which enlarges spaces and makes colours appear more vibrant. Halogen lamps are a great choice for houses and buildings where variable light levels are required since they dim very well - perfect if you want accent lighting. They also have a relatively good light output. If you want dimmable bulbs, halogen can offer this option.
Which has better brightness and colour range?
LED lights can light up instantly without having to undergo a ‘warm up’ period - unlike halogen lights, which need time to reach full brightness. To measure which is the brighter light source for yourself, and pick the right bulb, you need to know the units of measurement for each. LED brightness is measured in lumens rather than watts, for example.
Halogen lighting is incredibly cosy and warm. In contrast, LED bulbs can be produced in all shades of colour temperatures for a wide range of applications. LEDs can provide warm and cold temperatures or even an ambient temperature thanks to their semiconductor material.
A dimmer switch can also be included with LED bulbs, which can come with the initial investment.
LEDs are better for the environment and our bills
LED lighting is undoubtedly a far more energy-efficient and greener alternative to other types of lighting, which is particularly important at a time when energy consumption is a primary concern around the world. Because LEDs require significantly less energy and give off far less heat than other light sources, they not only contribute to energy savings but also minimise greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
Note: The majority of energy for halogens is lost through the heat generated by the bulb, whereas LEDs give off far less heat, which is what contributes the most to minimising greenhouse gas emissions
Additionally, LED lights are completely recyclable (important that you follow WEEE regulations for correct bulb disposal) and do not contain any hazardous elements or materials - the materials used in LEDs are far from combustible. Likewise, they practically emit zero UV emissions too, which is just another of the many environmental benefits associated with LED lamps.
On the topic of cutting emissions, in 2018, the UK started to phase out the sale of higher-energy halogen light bulbs. Now it’s becoming clear that LED lighting is the way forward, the government announced last year that the sale of halogen light bulbs would be banned in September of last year.
This follows the government's aims to cut emissions, and help homeowners save on their increasing energy bills. Research has found that 1.26 million tonnes of CO2 will be reduced by switching to LED lights, which is the same as eliminating more than 500,000 automobiles from UK roads.
Explore Our Range of LED Lighting Products
For many businesses and homeowners that need LED products, we are their first choice provider since we have a wealth of expertise and experience in the industry. We take great pride in providing a variety of lighting products that can be used for several applications. Here are just a few of the products that we sell.
Our LED strips offer a versatile and bespoke lighting solution that is reasonably priced. As a result, they allow for innovative lighting setups, for instance, in locations where it is challenging to place light fixtures.
Our GU10, GLS A60 and C35 LED bulbs are a cost-effective, durable and energy-efficient lighting solution to help illuminate the realms of your home or workplace while also allowing you to cut down on emissions.
Hours of illumination are provided with LED floodlights, which are also excellent for securing your property. We have a broad selection of LED floodlights available, all in different sizes, so you can pick the best option for your requirements.
We hope this guide helped you, but if you have any further questions, get in touch with us today to speak to a member of the team.