What is LED lighting?
Whether it’s your bedroom or a retail outlet, one thing that you will find in common is the lighting system. Most modern-day setups prefer using energy-efficient and durable bulbs. And nothing can top the chart in these two aspects other than LEDs.
Made with semiconductors, these do not possess filaments like conventional lamps. When current flows through the internal circuit, energy is emitted in the form of light rays. Depending on the semiconductor material used, LEDs can emit light of varying colours, like white, red, green, and others.
In the context of hazardous areas, LEDs are preferably used over other lighting technologies. That’s because of their commendable durability, advanced control features, and low maintenance needs.
Advantages of LED lighting
- In the comparative study of LED vs halogen lighting, the former is the most energy-efficient. It consumes about 80% less power, making it a suitable choice for sustainable lighting.
- The internal circuit and semiconductor devices used in constructing LEDs can supply power for 25,000 to 50,000 hours. This reduces the replacement frequency in hazardous areas.
- As the heat generated is significantly less than that of halogen, using them in flammable areas will reduce the risk margin.
- Modern LED models feature smart control integration, varying colour temperatures, and adjustable brightness.
- Thanks to the solid-state design, the LEDs are resistant to shocks and vibrations, which is indeed ideal for hazardous areas.
- They do not require any warm-up time to produce illumination after powering on.
Disadvantages of LED lighting
- The initial purchase cost will be pretty high as the LEDs are made with solid-state technology.
- If not of the premium-grade, the bulbs can flicker or become dim automatically, which will further hinder visibility in hazardous areas.
- As they contain rare earth elements, disposal will require special considerations.
What is halogen lighting?
Consider a regular incandescent bulb. Although it emits a mighty glow, performance efficiency hits rock bottom most of the time. That’s why many prefer using halogen lighting. As the name implies, it comes with a tungsten filament and a halogen gas inside the glass or plastic casing.
Once switched on, the current flowing through the circuit causes the halogen gas to emit energy and glow brightly. To top it off, the device has further redeposited evaporated tungsten molecules on the filament, thereby prolonging the usage duration.
Advantages of halogen lighting
- Most lights are designed to emit a warm, bright light which mimics daylight ambience. That’s why using them in poorly lit, hazardous areas is better for visibility.
- The upfront purchase costs won’t be as high as those of the LEDs. This can reduce the overall expenses and fit tighter budgets for small-scale projects.
- Thanks to the commendable colour rendering index of 100, halogen emits bright light with accurate colour visibility.
- The halogen lights feature an outstanding compatibility with most dimmer switches. Hence, controlling the brightness is hassle-free.
- Like the LEDs, these too don’t require any extra warm-up time. Once switched on, they will emit an instant glow, lighting up the area.
Disadvantages of halogen lighting
- If we talk about energy efficiency, halogen isn’t the ideal choice. It combines way more electric current to produce the same brightness as that of the LEDs.
- As there’s no additional built-in heat tank, halogen lights become extremely hot. This can increase the risk margin at hazardous areas, especially those with flammable gases.
- Lifespan is extremely short, ranging somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 hours only. Thus, you will need to replace them quite frequently.
- Halogen lights also emit CO2 gases when used continuously. As a result, the carbon footprint will automatically increase tenfold.
Side-by-side comparison of LED and halogen
To help you understand further, here’s a brief comparison of LED vs halogen lighting.
| Features | LED | Halogen |
| Efficiency | Highly efficient | Less efficient |
| Lifespan | Can last between 25,000 to 50,000 hours | Only for 1,000 to 2,000 hours |
| Color temperature | 2700K to 6500K+ | Warm, usually between 2700K to 3200K |
| CRI | 80 to 98 | Typically 100 |
| Upfront costs | High | Average |
| Operating costs | Less | High |
| Heat output | Less | High |
| Dimming compatibility | Yes but limited options | Excellent |
| Environmental impact | Minimal with no CO2 emission | High due to carbon footprint |
Energy consumption & cost savings
Comparing LED vs halogen lighting based on energy consumption is crucial for your selection. After all, no one would willingly invest in something that puts a dent in the pocket every month through high utility bills.
Now, an LED consumes much less power, between 8 and 15 watts for the same brightness generated by a 60-watt halogen light. Although purchasing LEDs is costlier, they have a payback period of only one year. Maintaining them in the long run will be wallet-friendly, unlike halogen bulbs.
To top it off, you will need to replace the halogen lights frequently. It will automatically incur higher costs in the coming years.
Light quality: Brightness, colour temperature, and CRI
- Lumen output
- For LEDs, the rated brightness is about 80 to 120 lumens per watt.
- Halogen lights feature only 12 to 18 lumens per watt.
- 2.Color temperature
- You will find LEDs with a warm glow (2700K) and also in the cooler range (6500K+).
- For halogen, the colour temperature varies between 2700K and 3200K, meaning a warmer glow.
- Colour Rendering Index
- LEDs usually have a CRI ranging between 80 and 98.
- Halogen lights are known for their high CRI, which typically amounts to 100.
Durability and lifespan
LEDs have a much longer lifetime compared to regular halogen lights. These can function for 15,000 to 50,000 hours, depending on the usage frequency and build quality. To top it off, their sturdy, robust housing makes them highly resistant to physical shocks, vibrations, and impacts. Owing to this, they are perfect for hazardous areas.
Halogen, on the other hand, has a very short lifespan, ranging between 1000 and 2000 hours only. As a result, you will have to replace them now and then. It increases not only the maintenance costs but also the risk factors when used in hazardous areas.
If we consider LED vs halogen lighting based on their performance, the former is the evident winner here. That’s because LEDs deliver consistent brightness for years while halogen bulbs degrade faster.
Environmental impact and sustainability
- LEDs use 75% to 85% less electrical power than halogen lights. Hence, they are the best choice for sustainable lighting. Also, they do not increase the carbon footprint.
- Most components present in an LED light are recyclable, except the rare earth elements. On the contrary, the glass and metal parts of a halogen light are only recyclable.
- As LEDs do not emit too much heat, the HVAC system doesn’t experience high loads. However, the same can’t be said for the halogen because of excessive heat generation.
- Although halogen lights do not contain mercury or rare earth metals, waste generation due to frequent replacements can’t be ignored.
Use cases: where can each lighting be used?
LED lighting
- Hazardous areas due to lower maintenance needs and stronger build quality.
- Outdoor surveillance and security, owing to high brightness and consistent night visibility.
- Commercial spaces benefit from seamless integrations with IoT devices for more intelligent control.
- Retail displays, owing to adjustable CRI and colour temperatures.
Halogen lighting
- High CRI allows accurate colour visibility in photography and studios.
- Warm glow enables accent lighting to highlight architectural features.
- Suits lighting needs for low-budget uses.
- Lounges and bedrooms require customizable dimming.
How to choose: LED or halogen?
LED lighting will be perfect for:
- Low energy needs with long-term cost saving plans
- Intelligent control and variable colour temperatures are required.
- Hard-to-reach areas or hazardous areas.
- Longevity and durability matter over the initial costs.
Halogen lighting, on the other hand, will be suitable for:
- Limited upfront budget.
- Lights won’t be used too frequently.
- Natural warm light and high CRI are required.
- Need to fit in a traditional dimming switch.
Installation and maintenance tips
- Always use certified fixtures for both LED and halogen lights to prevent any compatibility or insulation issues.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for recycling and disposal.
- Ensure there’s a proper ventilation window for halogen lights to prevent overheating.
- Choose proper dimming switches that will be compatible with the LED lights.
FAQs
Are LEDs more energy efficient than halogen bulbs?
Given how LEDs consume only 8 to 15 watts of electrical power to deliver the same brightness as that of a 60-watt halogen bulb, it’s energy-efficient.
Can I use LED bulbs in old halogen fixtures?
No, the fixtures for both halogen and LED lights are different. Hence, it’s better to use one that is compatible with the LED bulb you have purchased.
Do LEDs provide the same light quality as halogens?
The lumen output of LEDs is usually between 80 to 120 lumens, whereas that of a halogen is only 18 lumens at the top. So, in terms of brightness, LED is the winner. As for color temperatures, LEDs are available in both warmer and cooler ranges while halogen lights emit a warmer glow only. If we talk about CRI, halogen renders 100 of true color visibility.
How long do LED bulbs last compared to halogen?
LED bulbs are based on solid state technology, which is why they can produce light for 50,000 hours maximum. On the contrary, halogen bulbs come with the tungsten filament, which degrades with time. That’s why they can last for 2000 hours only.
Can halogens be dimmed like LEDs?
If you connect the halogen light with a compatible dimmer switch, you can control its brightness easily.