Why The Halogen Bulb Is A Viable Option As Domestic Light Bulbs

The halogen light is often overlooked by environmentally aware home owners

, who instead favour fluorescent and CFL options. Indeed, it seems the fluorescent light is a better choice but it would be a mistake to write off the halogen bulb completely. The attributes of these light bulbs mean they are of real value to the modern, environmentally aware home. In fact, there is no real reason why halogen light bulbs should be ignored. They are more energy efficient and have a longer life span that the incandescent bulb, and are designed to easily replace them, with screw, bi pin and bayonet bulb cap versions available. However, the details of their attributes, even against the more popular fluorescent bulbs, and the advantages they have over the less expensive incandescent bulbs, means they are still a real benefit to the environment. Here are four reasons why this is true. Efficiency In terms of light efficiency, halogens do trail the fluorescent option. Tests have shown that a 15 watt fluorescent light bulb can produce the same amount of light that a 60 watt incandescent bulb, or about 4 times the efficiency. A halogen bulb falls in between the two, with a 40 watt bulb producing the same light as a 60 watt incandescent. What this means is that the electricity bill is lower with halogen lights, but significantly lower with fluorescent lights. But, given that fluorescent lights are a little more expensive than halogen, there are some savings in the short term. And in some situations, given the quality of light and the ample life span, this lower initial cost makes the halogen bulb worthwhile. Light Quality The light quality from a halogen bulb is superior to the fluorescent light. It is ideal for larger spaces, like a large reception hall, a spacious garage, or a basement. A fluorescent light may save money, but the quality of light is lower, making it suitable only for the average sized room in any house. The reason for the better light is simply that the filament burns at a hotter temeprature than its rival. But the fact that reflective material is typically included, either inside the light structure and behind the filament, as with a spotlight, or on the inside face of lamp shade, means that the light is also distributed more efficiently too. Life Span The total life span of a halogen light ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 hours, though this can depend on the brand and purpose of the light. Compared to the fluorescent energy saving option, this is quite low, at around 30 per cent of the life of their rival. However, the halogen bulb still lasts as much as three times longer than the incandescent option. An advantage that halogen lights do have is their durability. By nature, a tungsten filament burns much hotter so the thickness of the glass used is greater than that of normal bulbs. The thick glass keeps the interior environment carefully controlled to produce the light quality it produces. So, while the bulb can still break, halogen bulbs are built to last. Versatility A halogen bulb may still trail the fluorescent bulb in popularity but in terms of versatility, the halogen can offer a little more variety. From display lighting used in professional exhibition areas and galleries, to outdoor security floodlighting, to recessed low voltage downlights in a modern kitchen ceiling, halogen provides a wide range of possibilities. However, they also come in very small sizes, which allows them to be used in far smaller lighting devices. Some of the smaller halogen light bulbs are used in table lamps, where space is at a minimum but a high quality of light is essential. The versatility of the range of halogen bulbs means that they can be much more useful around the home than most home owners may have thought. With different sized bayonet bulb caps and, indeed, Edison screw bulb caps, they can fit just about any existing socket. It means that as energy efficient and environmentally friendly light bulbs go, the halogen option is perfectly viable. And, given that fluorescent bulbs use mercury to maintain light at a lower energy rate, there can be no denying that a halogen bulb is sometimes better for the environment.

by: Iain Jenkins

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