What is the difference / saving in electrical consumption between halogen and tungsten filament bulbs?
I am considering a change from tungsten to halogen lighting to save electricity. Is the change worth the cost? Is there any implication from operating at 12vdc as against 115/230vac?
There are several types of light that could be referred to as ‘halogen’
most commonly are tungsten halogen which are very similar to normal lights and metal halide which are discharge lamps.
Tungsten halogen bulbs are able to run hotter and therefore brighter than ‘plain’ tungsten bulbs so for a given amount of light the T/H bulb can use a bit less power. T/H tend to be used where the colour temperature (whiteness as opposed to yellowness) is important for good colour display.
metal halide lamps are often used in shops giving a very efficient but slightly purple tinged colour, the require completely new (and quite expensive luminaires)
low voltage lamps tend to be more efficient than mains as the filament is shorter and more compact but there is additional cost in the transformer/power supply required.
The most efficient lights are LED ‘bulbs’ but again they require a dedicated type of power supply or more expensive versions of the bulb.
LEDs have the advantage of a very long lifetime, so reducing maintenance costs.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
There are several types of light that could be referred to as ‘halogen’
most commonly are tungsten halogen which are very similar to normal lights and metal halide which are discharge lamps.
Tungsten halogen bulbs are able to run hotter and therefore brighter than ‘plain’ tungsten bulbs so for a given amount of light the T/H bulb can use a bit less power. T/H tend to be used where the colour temperature (whiteness as opposed to yellowness) is important for good colour display.
metal halide lamps are often used in shops giving a very efficient but slightly purple tinged colour, the require completely new (and quite expensive luminaires)
low voltage lamps tend to be more efficient than mains as the filament is shorter and more compact but there is additional cost in the transformer/power supply required.
The most efficient lights are LED ‘bulbs’ but again they require a dedicated type of power supply or more expensive versions of the bulb.
LEDs have the advantage of a very long lifetime, so reducing maintenance costs.
References :
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/91679/Lighting-Lamps/Lamps/LED-Lamps/Halolite-Accent-Light-1-5w-LED-Lamp
September 21st, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I would say ‘no’, it will never be worth the cost .. I doubt you would save 1%.
You can save about 80% by going to fluorescent bulbs .. (you could get fluorescent plug-in replacements for standard ’100watt’ bulbs at Tesco 5 for £1 .. about 20p each, as opposed to about 15p for the standard bulb)
However, in the long run, the only viable technology that delivers significant power saving (better than 95%) is LED’s .. (although at present the few direct plug-in replacement for standard bulbs are still expensive = see link)
References :
http://rvledlite.com/