Higher energy efficiency – LED spotlights can save up to 80% of your lighting electricity costs. Halogen spotlights are much less energy efficient than LED spot lamps. For example, the 4W LED MR16 can produce a directional light equivalent to a 25W halogen MR16. Halogen lamps also produce IR radiation where most of the energy is wasted as heat. LED based lamps produce mono-chromatic light and use a collimator lens to project the light precisely, thus little energy is wasted as heat.
Lower heat – halogen spotlights generate excessive heat (+250deg.C) that can potentially damage objects illuminated by these sources. Obviously, these temperatures can be dangerous if the lamp comes in contact with skin or flammable materials. LED lamps have an average reflector temperature of 70deg.C so are safe to the touch. Lower heat released into the room requires less air-conditioning, an additional cost saving.
Longer life expectancy – according to major halogen manufacturers’ specifications, the average rated life of their lamps is 2,000 to 5,000 hours. The average life expectancy of LED based lamps is 50,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs.
Health benefits – the quartz filament in halogen lamps emits high UV radiation, thus requiring additional safety glass for protection. LED lamps don’t emit UV, the cool white LED lamps stimulate the production of serotonin in the brain, reducing SAD syndrome and improving the feel-good factor.
No non-passive failures – the filament capsule of a halogen lamp is pressurized and very fragile. The bulb should not be touched as the oil and salts from the fingers can corrode the quartz and weaken it. Defects of this sort can make the capsule shatter. LED solid-state technology does not have any fragile parts, making them robust, shockproof and safer to use.
Wider correlated colour temperature – halogen spotlights are traditionally warm white, depending on the manufacturer and type of lamp. LED lamps offer many colour selections, including warm white, cool white, red, blue, green and amber |
