Changing your halogen GU10 bulb to a newer LED model is one of the most effective ways at reducing energy use and cost from your lighting.  What you need to keep in mind when changing over to LED is that you will need to compare the lumens rather than the wattage.  Lumens are how brightness is measured and watts measure the amount of power used.  LED bulbs require much less power than older halogen models.  

How Many Lumens are in a GU10 Halogen Bulb?

This will vary depending on the manufacturer and the components used.  Below are some approximate examples.

It is important to check the manufacturers specifications and descriptions on the LED bulb for the lumens to ensure you’re picking a bulb with a similar brightness.  If you are looking for a 50W halogen replacement for example you should look for an LED GU10 rated between 380 and 450 lumens. A LED G10 bulb on average will use 90% less energy compared to a halogen GU10.

The Importance of Beam Angle and Color Temperature

Lumens while important are not all you need to think about when replacing your halogen GU10 with LED:

Beam Angle

Halogen GU10s are classed as spotlights.  Meaning they are often used to direct a narrow beam of light.  A lower lumen bulb with a smaller beam angle might seem brighter in the center than a higher lumen bulb with a wide beam angle as a wider beam angle will be spreading the same amount of light across a wider area.

Color/Kelvin Temperature

This colour of light is measured in Kelvin (K) and choosing a warm white in particular will help you to match your previous halogen bulbs.

• Warm White (2700K - 3000K): A yellowish glow often found in halogen bulbs but also available in LED. This is a common preference for living areas, bedrooms, and anywhere you are looking to create a cosy environment.
• Cool White (4000K - 5000K): A whiter, more neutral looking type of light.  It is often chosen for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms where it is important to see things as clearly as possible.
• Daylight (5000K - 6500K): A very bright, slightly bluish white believed to be closest to outdoor light.  It is often used in commercial or work-oriented environments.

Summary of Halogen-to-LED Conversion for GU10 bulbs

When converting your halogen GU10 bulb to LED the most important thing to look out for is for the lumen output as this measures brightness and LEDs use less wattage than halogen bulbs do.  You should also make sure they are the same beam angle for the level of desired brightness.  Swapping to LED is a choice we highly recommend so that you can use less energy on a day to day basis and save on electricity costs in the process.