So you’ve found the perfect lamp, but do you use LED lights or halogen lights. It matches your home’s design aesthetic. You can’t wait to turn off that headache-inducing overhead lighting and you’re itching to enjoy your reading chair. There’s just one problem. You have no idea which light bulb to purchase for it.
Two common lighting options are LED and halogen lighting. Before deciding between the two, you’ll want to understand the key differences between them.
Let’s explore.
LED lights
LED lights are semiconductor lights that use a diode to convert electrical energy into light. Diodes are made of two different types of semiconductor material, and emit light once an electrical current is applied. Hence the name “LED,” light-emitting diodes.
Halogen
Halogen lights are a type of incandescent light filled with halogen gas. This gas lengthens the bulb’s lifespan while allowing it to burn at a higher temperature than a regular incandescent bulb. This means that halogen bulbs are brighter, but produce a lot more heat as a result.
Key differences between LED lights vs. Halogen
- Price
- Brightness
- Colour
- Durability
- Energy Savings
Price
Halogen lights ($3-$5/bulb) are cheaper than LED bulbs (~$10/bulb), but they burn out much faster. Halogen bulbs last up to 2,000 hours, which is twice as long as incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs, on the other hand, last between 15,000 and 50,000 hours.
Brightness
As for their brightness, halogen lights emit 16-24 lumens (a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time) per watt, while LED lights emit about 80-100 lumens per watt. This means that LED bulbs are much brighter, even if the bulb is significantly less powerful.
Colour
When it comes to colour, halogen light naturally burns at 3000K—a “whiter” colour temperature than incandescent bulbs. Purchasing an LED bulb offers options when it comes to exact hue. Ranging from 1800K to 6500k, LED bulbs allow homeowners to get specific with the colours their home boasts.
Durability
As for durability, halogen bulbs are less durable than LED for numerous reasons. Halogen bulbs have a filament inside, which are sensitive to energy surges and vibration, causing them to break. LED lights don’t have this filament. Furthermore, LED lights are made of plastic, which is more durable than glass-made halogen bulbs. Not only will halogen glass shatter if dropped, it can also burst if hot and exposed to cold water.
Energy Saving
One of the last key differences, and arguably the most important, is that LED bulbs use up to 85% less energy than halogen. And this doesn’t come at the cost of light either. LED bulbs produce the same amount of light using significantly less energy! Halogen bulbs are becoming less and less popular with energy costs on the rise.
Conclusion – LED Lights vs. Halogen Lights
So which bulb will you choose for your new lamp? When it comes to long-term benefits, LED wins by being more energy efficient, brighter, durable, and longer lasting. That said, halogen lights are more cost-effective up front, better for dimming, and still superior to incandescent lighting in every way. If you’re not in the position to invest in LED lights or want to avoid aggressively bright lighting, halogen is the clear choice.
AJs Electrical is your team of qualified licensed electricians. Since 2003, our team of experts have been assisting customers throughout the Lower Mainland with all of their electrical needs. If you need help deciding between lighting options, or are looking for a qualified electrician to install your new lighting, contact us today!
