According to Philips Lighting, there are an estimated 400-500m one directional mains voltage halogen spotlights installed in households and businesses across Europe. That represents a sizeable opportunity to save energy and money by moving to LED bulbs.
We’ve put together the five most important things you need to know about the ban in your home or business.
Why is there an EU halogen ban?
The biggest misconception is that people think halogens are eco-friendly, but when compared to LEDs they consume a whopping 10 times more energy and emit a lot of excess heat. As a result, the industry called for a ban on halogens 10 years ago.
There are not one but two EU halogen bans – which one is which?
The first one that came into force on 1 September is for halogen spotlights which are also referred to as mains-voltage, one-directional halogen bulbs. This type of halogen bulb represents the majority of halogen lights in use by consumers and businesses. Lighting affected includes GU10 halogen spotlights with bayonet or an Edison screw base and PAR30 halogen floodlights (big reflector lamps). Bulbs with an energy label rating of B or above, such as low-voltage halogen spotlights, will not be affected.
The EU halogen ban that has just come into effect is in addition to a second ban of non-directional halogen lamps (in an EU regulation passed in April 2009). This second ban will come into effect on 1 September, 2018. A good example of non-directional halogen lamps are ones used in chandeliers.
The case for LED light bulbs
LEDs are up to 90% more energy-efficient than halogens. In research from Philips Lighting, 84% of UK consumers want to save money by becoming more energy-efficient, making LEDs a good option. Also, UK consumers cannot only save money on energy costs but on lifetime costs too. LEDs last exponentially longer than halogens. The average life of an LED bulb is 15 years, in contrast to a halogen bulb which has an average lifespan of two years.
Will all one-directional halogen bulbs be phased out? You can continue to use one-directional halogen spotlights until they run out. Once stocks being sold online and in shops across EU countries have sold out, you will no longer be able to buy them. This process is similar to the phase out of incandescent lighting which took place between 2009-2012. Since the phase out, consumers who swapped all incandescent bulbs in their homes for energy-saving alternatives have saved an estimated £80 a year on their energy bills, and 300kg of carbon dioxide, according to Philips Lighting.
Top tips for replacing your halogens
Many halogen fans love the dimming effect they give. So if this is important to you, go for a higher quality LED bulb which, combined with a glass housing, gives it a similar look and feel to halogen spotlights. Common plastic alternatives are unable to provide this. Also, when replacing halogens in areas of your home such as ceilings, it’s important not to buy LEDs with different variations in dimming and colour quality. This will avoid inconsistent lighting in your home or business.
The future of lighting beyond halogens
As LED lighting is digital, it has considerable flexibility in what it can offer – in addition to the energy savings over halogen. For example, colour and luminosity can be changed to produce different ambiances, which means the light is very versatile. LEDs will change how we use light in our homes and workplaces, to transform different spaces. Already, progressive companies like Deloitte are using connected LEDs to create tailored lighting for individual employee’s workspaces and saving energy through automatically switching off lighting when areas of the offices are not being used.
Lighting is undergoing a revolution. We’re only at the beginning of what’s possible with innovative illumination.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Philips, sponsor of the circular economy hub
