Well, if you think so, there must some reasons for that.
The main reason is that they are quite used to Halogen bulbs(it’s lighting their life for more than 10 years already) and they don’t think that they can differentiate between lots of LED options available in today’s world.
We want to share more detailed information on this topic and you will not be left confused about this topic anymore after reading this post.
So, let’s go.
Benefits of Finding an LED replacement for Halogen
There are lots of reasons why you must start looking for an LED replacement for Halogen as soon as possible. The LED lights consume less energy and they can offer better light performance.
So, let’s take a look at some remarkable benefits of finding an LED replacement for Halogen.
Lower Electricity Bills
The electricity bills are absolutely a pain in the neck especially when you’re running a huge building such as an office or a university campus. Most of the business owners claimed in the past that halogen bulbs are continuously increasing their energy bills. And they were eagerly waiting for a solution that can help them get rid of this problem. That’s why the experts started looking for a solution that can reduce the electricity bills to an extent.
And they finally came up with a valuable solution called LED. The LED bulbs are a cost-effective option as they can bring a significant change in your electricity bills. The LED bulbs appear to be an expensive option in the beginning but the long-term benefits of LED bulbs are absolutely unbeatable. We bet that you’d be surprised to see the results LED bulbs are going to offer.
In the beginning, most of the businesses were hesitant to find an LED replacement for Halogen as they weren’t sure about the benefits of LED lights. And that’s something that is still preventing many companies from using this valuable solution.
Let’s find out if LED bulbs can actually reduce your electricity expenses or not.
Case Study about Reduced Electricity Costs
Well, the owners of a popular university were facing the same issue of increased electricity bills with the Halogen bulbs. Therefore, they decided to find the LED replacement for Halogen. So, they started with a hall in the university where they replaced 79 halogen lamps with the LED bulbs. It took around 2 days to replace the lights and they spent around $1595 on this project.
The interesting part is that their electricity bills were reduced by 86% after the installation of LED lamps. The LED replacement for Halogen helped them save $1390 on electricity bills. Thus, they successfully recovered the expenses of this replacement project within 14 months.
Similarly, they didn’t have to replace the bulbs after a few months because LED bulbs come with a longer lifespan. So, they can enjoy a remarkable cut in their energy bills.
According to the research, the LED lamps have the same lifespan as 25 halogen bulbs. So, you can imagine the expenses you can save by finding an LED replacement for Halogen. Moreover, the university authorities claimed that the carbon dioxide emissions were also reduced by 5 tones per year with this replacement project. So, LED replacements are absolutely a better option if you want to reduce your electricity bills.
Less Expensive For Maintenance
The most important benefit of LED lamps is that they can significantly reduce your maintenance costs. The Halogen bulbs do not last long and you have to replace them after every few months or even weeks.
On the other hand, the LED lamps can offer amazing results for more than 25,000+ hours. It means you won’t have to replace the bulbs again and again. Similarly, you can get rid of lamp disposal and associated waste costs by finding an LED replacement for Halogen.
Finding the Right LED Lighting for Your Property
We understand the fact that finding the right LED lighting for a property isn’t as easy as it appears to be. That’s why we’re going to discuss the factors that one must look for when choosing the LED lighting for their property.
Almost every LED manufacturer claims that their products are the perfect Halogen replacements but you need to make sure that the product you’re choosing is capable of providing an ample amount of lighting for your property.
Let’s take a look at the elements you need to look for when choosing the LED bulbs for your property.
Color Temperature
The color of light produced by the LED bulbs is known as color temperature. There is a wide range of colors you can choose from. The warm white and cool white are the most common colors being used in most of the buildings. You need to find the right color that is perfectly suitable for a particular area. For example, if you are finding a bulb for areas like the kitchen and bathroom, the Cool white (5000 – 6300K) can be the right option for you.
The same color can be used in areas where you need an ample amount of lighting for reading. On the other hand, the warm white (2900 – 3500K) LED bulbs can provide the light similar to an incandescent and halogen light. No matter whether you’re looking to find a cool white or warm white color, you can easily find a high-quality product for your property as there are lots of options available nowadays.
Usually, the customers use the warm white and cool white as a standard of choosing the right LED bulb for their property. These are the two different categories that define different color temperatures. It doesn’t mean that any LED bulb with the warm white feature can be perfect for replacing the Halogen. You need to dive into the details of color temperature to see that which color best suits your needs.
Based on your preference, the requirements of color temperature may differ. For example, sometimes, a 2700k LED bulb can better replace a 50w halogen lamp instead of a 3000k LED bulb. So, you need to make sure that the color temperature you’re choosing is perfectly suitable for your needs.
Color Rendering Index
CRI is a measure out of 100 that helps determine how well the light source will render the color of surfaces, materials, objects, and skin tones. You can use the CRI measurement to determine how naturally and realistically the object’s color will appear in a room. The product will provide accurate colors if you consider using the higher CRI rating on a scale of 1-100.
Most of the bulbs available nowadays have a CRI of approximately 80. It means the color they are going to produce will be 20% lower than the halogen. Always keep in mind that an LED with a CRI of at least 95 is the perfect option for genuinely replacing a halogen. If a manufacturer claims that their product is a perfect replacement for the halogen bulbs, you must find out that whether their product has the CRI of 95 or not.
If the CRI is lower than that, it means that the product isn’t a perfect replacement for halogen light. If you’ve found an LED bulb that doesn’t have the CRI rating displayed on the box, you must avoid purchasing it as you do not have any idea of how well it’s going to serve you.
Understanding Lumens
Understanding the equivalence of wattage to lumens is really important when you’re looking to replace existing bulbs or fixtures. It helps to make sure that you won’t experience any decline in the brightness after replacing the existing bulbs or fixtures. The equivalence from wattage to lumens is usually displayed on the packaging which makes it easier for the consumers to purchase the perfect LED replacement for halogen.
In simple words, the lumens help determine the brightness of an LED bulb. For example, if you’re looking to replace a 100w incandescent bulb, you must consider looking for an LED bulb that comes with the 1521 Lumen rating. Here is a chart you can use to find the right LED replacement for Halogen and incandescent bulbs.
Beam Angle
The angle is a really important element of the LED lights that are mostly overlooked because the consumers do not understand the importance of this element. The beam angle is the element that describes how wide the light will spread. The beam angle is measured in degrees. So, if you want the wider beam of light, you must consider choosing an LED bulb with a higher number of beam angle.
Depending on your needs, the specification of beam angle may vary. For example, if you want an LED replacement for halogen in a shop to display the products, you must consider choosing a light that comes with a very narrow and focused beam. In this situation, an LED light with a beam angle of 15-20 will be absolutely perfect.
However, if you need the LED replacement for your kitchen, you must avoid using this beam angle as it won’t bring any fruitful results. If you consider using this beam angle in areas like the kitchen, the most part of that area will remain dark. So, you must consider buying an LED bulb with a much wider beam if you want an LED replacement for Halogen in your kitchen.
The LED lights are usually available with different beam angles ranging from 15 to 110 degrees. The LED bulbs with a higher beam angle are a suitable option for those who need a solution for those that are buying these lights for general lighting purpose. Most of the people prefer using LED bulbs that come with 38 – 60 degrees beam angle.
LED Bulb Lifespan
The maximum lifespan of high quality LED bulb is around 25,000 hours. We anticipate the lifespan of an LED bulb based on the number of Lumens available in the light. As long as, 70% of lumens are available in the bulb, you won’t experience any decline in its brightness. It means that if the LED has lost around 31% lumens, it’s not useful anymore. Surprisingly, there are some manufacturers that still claim that their products come with a lifespan of 50,000+ hours which is absolutely misleading.
There is no doubt that some LED chips can even last for 100,000+ hours. But they won’t be able to emit enough useful lumens that can fulfill your brightness needs in a particular area. Even the driver and power supply of the LED lamp won’t last for 50000+ hours. The results have shown that the average age of an LED bulb is not more than 25000 hours. The reputable manufacturers will never claim any foolish numbers.
So, make sure that you purchase those products where the manufacturers have stated the truth about the LED’s lifespan.
Looking for Quality Lights
The manufacturing process of different LED lights is usually different. You can now find a wide range of products in the market. If you consider choosing the cheapest products, we bet that you won’t be able to experience the excellent quality. You need to look at the warranty when purchasing LEDs and make sure that you purchase the products from a reputable brand. Gone are the days when LED bulbs were sold $30 per piece. There are many affordable and pocket-friendly options available nowadays.
All you need to do is to take help from the experts who’ve spent years of experience in this industry. There is nothing wrong with spending some extra bucks if you want to enjoy excellent lighting in the long run.
Be Creative – And less might be more
In the United States, an average user is using around 34 lightbulbs in his home. There are many houses halogen spotlights are installed in the ceiling because they can easily fulfill your lighting your needs.
However, there are some staple locations in the home where you cannot install the bulbs on the ceiling as they won’t fulfill your needs. In this situation, you must consider using the floor lamps as they can provide you with an accurate amount of lighting according to your needs.
So, if there are any inefficient bulbs in the home, you can simply replace them with the LEDs to improve the look of your home. You can also create a great combination of light color and brightness by installing the smart bulbs that are tunable or dimmable. So, it’s time to take a look at the things that you can change in your home. A cost-effective lighting system can bring an ambient look to your home as long as you want.
Understand The Measurements
Understanding the measurements is another important step that helps to find the
There are some specific units you can use to compare between different lighting options. For example, an LED bulb with 1600 lm is considered to be perfect for replacing the 100-watt incandescent bulb.
Equivalent Wattage – Swapping Halogen For LED
The equivalent wattage is a term that helps create a comparison between the incandescent and LED light bulbs. Here is some information about how you can find the perfect LED replacement for Halogen with the help of “Equivalent Wattage”.
The LED lights consume only a fraction of the power for providing the same brightness offered by a halogen bulb. For example, a 5W LED spotlight can easily replace a 35W halogen spotlight in terms of brightness. The information about equivalent wattage is usually listed on product packaging, specification sheets, and with online product details.
Finding the LED bulbs of equivalent wattage is really important when you’re looking to find an LED replacement for Halogen. Make sure that the equivalent wattage of LED light is same as your current halogen bulbs. However, the actual wattage of the LED bulb might be different. For instance, the 5W and 6W LED bulbs can easily replace the 35W halogen bulbs as they have an equivalent wattage of 35W.
The advancements in the LED technology will make things a lot difficult in the future. However, if you consider taking a look at equivalent wattage before making a purchase, you’d always be making an informed decision.
Easy Table for Your Measurement
A 14W LED Light (675 lumens / 50,000 hr life) is an ideal option for replacing a 20W Halogen Light (380 lumens / 1500 hr life).
A 12W LED Light (825 lumens / 50,000 hr life) is a great replacement for a 35W Halogen Light (600 lumens / 1500 hr life).
A 18W LED Light (825 lumens / 50,000 hr life) is considered to best for replacing a 50W Halogen Light (940 lumens / 2000 hr life).
A 20W LED Light (825 lumens / 50,000 hr life) is a suitable replacement for a 75W Halogen Light (1400 lumens / 1500 hr life).
See the main considerations? It’s the Lumens that matters.
These measurements will make things a lot easier for you when you’re choosing an LED replacement for Halogen.
Comments below if you have questions on this.
Tips for Replacing the Halogen with LED Lamps/Lights
After taking a look at the amazing benefits of LED lamps, you must’ve made up your mind that it’s time to replace halogen lamps with the LEDs. You must’ve already purchased the LED lamps for your space by following the tips we’ve shared above.
However, if you’re still unable to find a suitable option for your room or office, you can take help from the experts. They’ll not only help in finding the most suitable LED lamps for your space but they’ll also agree upon installing those lamps on your request.
This may sound crazy but replacing the halogen lamps with the LEDs is not a tough job.
Don’t believe me? Just continue reading the following information and you’d definitely agree with me.
The best thing about Halogen to LED replacement is that they don’t force you to make any compromise on your choices. In fact, the LED bulbs offer you the same beautiful and warm light that you used to enjoy with the halogen lamps or incandescent light bulbs. Moreover, the LEDs can keep any area bright by consuming a minimal amount of electricity. The only reason why LED lights have become prominent is that they allow you to save around 85% on electricity consumption.
You might be tired of hearing the same thing again and again but you can never underestimate the amazing features the LED lights come with. We are continuously discussing these benefits so you can understand why LEDs are a better option than Halogen and incandescent lights. Now, let’s take a look at how you can replace halogen with LED.
Replacing High-Voltage Lamps (230 V)
Well, of course, finding the right LED replacement lamp must be your first priority. You need to find the model that best suits your needs. Choosing the right socket is the next step towards replacing the high-voltage lamps. Another aspect that is mostly overlooked is whether the LED lamp is dimmable or not. Unlike halogen lamps, the LED lamps aren’t dimmable and there are only a few models that come with this feature.
So, if you want to purchase the dimmable lamps, you must consider looking for the ones that are available with this feature. The information about this feature is displayed on the product packaging. Now, the next step is to figure out that how much brightness you want. When it comes to measuring the brightness of LED lamps, you must consider looking for lumens/watt rating because that’s the ultimate standard for measuring the brightness of LED lamps.
The Lumen rating is usually mentioned on the product packaging so you won’t face any problem in figuring out the actual rating. In the end, you need to define the light color you’re looking for. As we’ve mentioned before that LEDs are available in different colors. So, you need to make sure that you’re choosing the color that is best suitable for your needs.
Replacement of Low Voltage Lamps (12 V)
When you’re replacing the halogen with LED in a 12 V system, you need to consider several important elements. First of all, you must focus on choosing the right design. For example, a reflector lamp can be a useful option for you if you’re replacing the bulb in your kitchen. And the GU 5.3 base socket can be the ideal option in this situation. Considering the beam angle and lumens is also important when making a decision about brightness.
Now, you must consider the minimum load of the transformer that is usually stated in VA (volt-ampere). If the minimum load of your existing transformer is between 35-105 VA, you must consider replacing it because the LED lamps only require a minimum load of 24 VA. You can also consider using an electronic transformer that will consume 0-40 watt power of LEDs.
Now, you must take a look at whether you need a new dimmer for the new transformer or not. The interesting part is that most of the LED bulbs can easily be operated with the old dimmers. So, it means you won’t have to replace your existing dimmer. Now, the installation process starts.
Before you start connecting the luminaries to the mains, you must consider taking all the safety precautions that can protect you from an electric shock. You must simply cut off the electricity from the fuse box and then use the tester to make sure that there is no live voltage. Make sure that you carefully take a look at the assembly instructions before you start installing the transformer.
If you’re still confused about installing the transformer, you must take help from an electrician. The halogen lamps become very hot when they are in use and you must only replace them when they are not in use otherwise, your hands will get burnt. You need to take the recessed spotlights out of the ceiling and then pull out the transformer through the mounting hole. Make sure that you disconnect the wires after unscrewing the caps.
Now, you can connect the new transformer to the wires. Your job is almost done. You can now push the transformer back in the ceiling and then replace the halogen lamps with the LED lamps.
That’s it!!
It’s Your Turn
The LED lights are a remarkable option in today’s world as they can reduce your electricity bills and maintenance costs to an extent. There are tons of other benefits you can enjoy with the LED bulbs. We’ve shared adequate information in this article that will help find the perfect LED replacement for Halogen.
If you’re still thinking about whether you should replace the existing halogen lamps or not, you must take help from our experts. The experts will provide you with a detailed answer of all the questions that may appear in your mind. Till then, enjoy a bright and happy life.
Glossary of Lighting Products
Usually, the consumers get confused when they hear some complicated terms like Equivalent Wattage and Heat Dispersion. That’s why we’re explaining the details about all the important lighting terms so that you do not get confused when replacing the halogen lamps with the LEDs.
Equivalent Wattage
A common term that is used to create a comparison between LED light bulbs and their incandescent alternatives. A direct replacement for a 35W incandescent light bulb would definitely be an LED light bulb that comes with an equivalent wattage of 35W. However, the stated wattage can be different. You can take a look at the table to find the right option.
LED spotlights
The LED bulbs are prepared with the most advanced technology and they are energy efficient as well. They produce the light equivalent of a halogen bulb while using only a fraction of the energy. Similarly, their lifespan is way longer than the old halogen bulbs. Most of the times, you won’t have to replace the existing light fittings while replacing halogen lamps with the LEDs.
Halogen Spotlights
The spotlights emit light in a focused beam as they are directional light bulbs. The halogen spotlights produce light by using a tungsten filament and a combination of halogen gases and inert. The halogen spotlights aren’t recommended an option in today’s world as they consume more energy than LED spotlights.
Low Voltage
There are some light fittings that are designed to be lower voltage while most of the light bulbs operate off mains voltage. The low voltage light fittings are commonly used in areas like Kitchen where the smaller lights bulbs are a necessity and space is at a premium. A huge number of low voltage spotlights are usually between 12-24 volts. The low voltage light fittings cannot convert the mains voltage to the correct, lower voltage unless they are connected to a compatible transformer.
Mains Voltage
In simple words, the mains voltage is the voltage of a building’s electrical circuits. The standard mains voltage in most parts of the world is 230V. However, mains circuits have the ability to run the electrical devices that come with a stated voltage of 240V. Most types of light bulbs can easily be used with the mains circuits.
However, if you’ve purchased the low voltage bulbs for a particular area, you must buy a compatible transformer for operating them. Such kind of information is clearly displayed on the packaging of low voltage bulbs.
A common term that is used to create a comparison between LED light bulbs and their incandescent alternatives. A direct replacement for a 35W incandescent light bulb would definitely be an LED light bulb that comes with an equivalent wattage of 35W. However, the stated wattage can be different. You can take a look at the table to find the right option.
VA Rating
The VA rating helps determine the maximum load that a transformer can safely carry. For instance, a transformer with a 10-60 VA rating can easily handle the electrical equipment that has the power of 10 and 60 watts. The transformers may stop working if they’re overloaded. Therefore, you must keep an eye on the equivalent wattage when finding an LED replacement for Halogen.
Transformer
A compatible transformer is considered to be important for the bulbs that require a lower voltage than 230-240V. The transformers prevent all the damages to the bulbs and light fittings by enabling them to operate at their standard voltage rating.
Wattage
A unit that is used to define the power consumption of the electrical equipment. So, you can use this unit to determine how much energy the equipment would require over a specific period of time.
Color Temperature
The color of light that is produced by the LEDs is commonly known as color temperature. Cool white and warm white are the most common colors while there is a wide range of colors you can choose from. The cool white color is considered to be ideal for areas where you need a good bright light. Similarly, the warm white is suitable for smaller areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
Heat Dispersion
LED emits heavy heat and you will need to get rid of that. The best solution to this problem is to use the aluminum circuit boards. Avoid purchasing the cheap plastic circuit boards if you want to reduce the risk.
Light Output
In the past, we used to measure the light output with the watts which wasn’t a good practice at all. The best measurement unit for light output
Power Supply Circuit
The power supply circuit is used to run the electric devices at a specific range. The advanced power supply circuits have the ability to control the voltage so that the devices may stay safe from damages.