What are Energy Saving Halogen Light Bulbs (Eco halogens)?

Energy saving halogens are often known as eco halogen bulbs and were developed as a short term energy efficient replacement for the standard halogen bulbs.  They operate in the same way as standard halogens but inside they have a quartz envelope which is filled with halogen gas. The energy saving aspect comes from specific modifications which were made to the bulbs.

There is an infrared reflective coated version  where a special has been applied to the inside of the quartz capsule and this is designed to reflect the heat energy back onto the tungsten filament.  As the bulb retains more heat it allows the filament to maintain an operating temperature using less electric energy.

The other version is an optimized gas fill, this is the composition and pressure of the halogen gas are optimized to lower the evaporation of the tungsten filament and thus allowing it to operate at a lower temperature.

The eco halogen bulbs normally consume 20-30% less electricity than the standard halogens or incandescent bulbs whilst providing a similar level of light output.

Are halogen light bulbs energy saving?

Compared to the traditional incandescent light bulbs they do save a very small amount of energy.  A standard 100W incandescent bulb would be replaced by a 70W eco halogen which is a saving of around 1/3rd.  However if you compare eco halogens with LED’s they are not considered to be energy saving.

Although eco halogen bulbs are classed in the energy saving category they still generate a large amount of heat compared to LED versions which are generally 5-10 times more efficient.

Why can’t you touch halogen bulbs with bare hands?

This rule applies to the GU10, and smaller G9 and G4 capsules and is done to preserve the life of the lamp as oil from human skin can create hotspots.

To ensure a safe install of a halogen lamp you should always handle them using a clean cloth or tissue.  If you accidentally touch the glass you should clean it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before turning the power on.

Is it worth replacing halogen with LED?

The answer to this is yes, replacing halogen bulbs with the LED alternative is one of the most effective and money saving ways a homeowner or business can make.

• Energy efficiency and cost saving - replacing a standard 50w halogen GU10 with the 5W LED version will save you up to 90% of the energy consumption for that 1 single fitting.
• Lifespan and maintenance - standard halogens would normally last between 1000 and 2000 hours whereas the LED version will last between 15000 and 25000 hours.  This means you save money on purchase costs and labour required for replacing them.
• Safety and heat reduction - Halogen bulbs produce quite a lot of heat and can pose a fire risk, LED bulbs run much cooler making them safer to use and reducing fire hazards.
• Environmental Impact - LED’s do not contain any mercury and they use much less energy over their lifespan meaning there is a much smaller carbon footprint.
• Future proofing - The lighting industry has now phased out the halogen lighting and is switching to LED.  The cost of a good quality LED is higher than a standard halogen but the return on the investment is realised within a year or two.