Since 2018, the UK government have been slowly phasing out halogen bulbs however, the halogen bulb ban has officially come into action from the 1^st of October 2021. This means the UK market will no longer be allowed to sell the energy draining halogen bulbs. Instead, since October 1, only LED light bulbs are available for purchase in the UK.

Why are Halogen Bulbs banned?

The reason for the halogen bulb ban is part of the government’s climate-related regulations to tackle the climate change. According to Energy Live News, removing halogen bulbs is comparable to removing more than 500,000 cars from the road.

The halogen ban is designed to create improvements aimed at saving customers money, which also includes new energy labels, and better efficiency standards.

Do I need to purchase new bulbs and replace my halogen bulbs now?

No, you can keep using the halogen bulbs you currently hold until they burn out before switching to the energy saving alternative. The purpose of the halogen lamps ban is to prevent new stock from entering the market and promote a cleaner future. However, it is advised to start replacing your halogen bulbs one at time with LED bulbs to spread out the cost.

How much will it cost to replace halogen bulbs?

Some UK homeowners may have to invest over £200 to replace burned out halogen bulbs. However, according to BBC, changing lightbulbs will significantly reduce the UK's CO2 emissions.

'LED lightbulbs can be slightly more expensive per bulb, but because they last up to five times longer, the change should see prices fall for households overall, as well as being significantly better for the environment,' said Tom Lyon, director of energy at Energy Helpline.

The energy saving LED light bulbs are designed to use up 80% less electricity in comparison to halogen bulbs therefore, saving the end user money on their electricity and energy bills.

What are the long-term benefits of the halogen ban?

More Eco-Friendly:

The result of the halogen light bulb ban will push consumers to invest in energy-efficient alternatives. Switching to energy efficient LED bulbs will help reduce approximately 1.26 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. LED bulbs don’t contain UV mercury, therefore, are more friendly to the environment.

As a result, not only will the ban cut consumer costs and annual electricity usage, but it will also assist businesses and individuals in reducing their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

More Energy Efficient:

The new energy packaging is designed to promote better alternatives and assist consumers in making the switch This guidance will take the shape of a new 'rescaled' energy label. These labels will help consumers make smarter choices and lower their energy consumption by simplifying the scale.

The new scale will only include A-G energy ratings and will no longer offer A+, A++, or A+++ energy ratings. As a result, LED bulbs will now be classified as A, allowing consumers to choose the most environmentally friendly alternative.

Longer Life Expectancy:

LED bulbs have a longer average life expectancy compared to halogen bulbs of 20,000 hours. This is 5 times the life expectancy of halogen bulbs. LED light fixtures are also manufactured to be extremely durable and have little maintenance, therefore, will live a significantly longer life than the standard halogen bulb.

Read more about the benefits of switching the LED lighting here. 

The Guide for Switching to LED bulbs:

Choosing the Correct Lamp Base:

There are many different types of cap fittings therefore, it is important to identify the right lamp base to purchase the correct lamp. A tip would be to match the old bulb and match it to the description of the LED lamp you are replacing it with.

If you are looking for a replacement, simply remove your old halogen fitting and the lamp base should be clearly stated on the bulb, you can then filter by lamp base on our website to find your direct replacement.

The two most common cap bases are:

• Bayonet cap

• Screw cap also known as Edison

Most LED bulbs come with Edison or bayonet fittings which can replace halogen lamps in most applications. If you have halogen lamps installed in your ceiling, you may discover that they are connected to a transformer which is incompatible with LEDs. The transformer will simply need to be changed with a compatible LED driver.

Choosing the Brightness & Efficiency:

LED lamps are much more efficient, allowing them to produce a similar lumen output against a lower wattage. Instead, look for a bulb with the same lumen output to choose the most energy efficient LED.

The table below illustrates how much energy (in watts) halogen light bulbs and LED light bulbs normally need to generate the same amount of light.

Choosing the Correct Colour Temperature:

The biggest benefit of switching to LED lighting for end users is the wider variety of colour temperatures compared to halogen bulbs. LED bulbs come in colours ranging from warm white to daylight whereas, halogen bulbs typically only provide the one colour temperature of 3000K.

Switching to LED will allow the end user to choose the colour temperature to suit their lighting requirements. Cooler temperatures (4000K-6000K) are suitable for task lighting. Warmer temperatures (2700K-3000K) are commonly used in living areas and inviting environments to mimic the radiance of the space.

Confused about what colour temperature to choose? Check out our blog on How to Choose the Correct Colour Temperature.

Summary:

The ban of halogen bulbs will improve energy efficiency and will help save our environment. At Meteor Electrical, we support the halogen bulb ban and want to promote a brighter and cleaner future.

Switching to LED lighting will have many environmental benefits and will help save the consumer money. We offer a range of LED alternatives in a range of wattages and colour temperatures to replace halogen bulbs! Check our website to avail our wide range of LED bulbs.

For more information on switching to LED bulbs, send an email at [email protected] or speak to one of our friendly advisors on the live chat!