Halogen Bulbs Vs LED Bulbs: What You Need To Know

From necessary illumination in homes and offices to decorating the living space for creating a certain ambience, light bulbs are required to fulfil numerous lighting needs. While you can find a multitude of light types, Halogen bulbs and LED bulbs are some of the popular ones. Halogen bulbs retain their charm and familiarity, and LED bulbs are sustainable lighting solutions, aligning with modern lifestyles. In this blog, we will understand the difference between halogen and LED bulbs to help you make better decision.  

What are Halogen Bulbs? 

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent lamp that uses a tungsten filament like traditional incandescent bulbs but also contains a small amount of halogen gas. When the halogen bulb is lit, the tungsten filament gets extremely hot, and the halogen gas combines with the evaporated tungsten atoms. This process is known as the halogen cycle that redeposits the tungsten back onto the filament while preventing it from darkening and extending the bulb's life.    

Halogen bulbs have various applications across different industries and settings. Here are some common uses of halogen bulbs: 

• Automotive Lighting:

Halogen bulbs are commonly used in vehicle headlights, providing a powerful and concentrated beam of light that enhances visibility while driving. 

• Spotlights and Floodlights:

Halogen bulbs are suitable for spotlights and floodlights, making them ideal for outdoor lighting in gardens, pathways, and security lighting. 

• Commercial and Retail Spaces:

Halogen bulbs are often used in commercial and retail environments where colour accuracy is crucial, such as in display cases for jewellery or clothing stores. 

• Display Lighting:

Museums, art galleries, and exhibition spaces often use halogen bulbs for accent lighting to highlight specific artworks or exhibits. 

What are LED Bulbs? 

LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a highly efficient and preferred lighting option due to their energy efficiency and durability. An LED bulb comprises a semiconductor diode that emits light when an electric current passes through it. The colour of the light emitted by an LED depends on the materials used in the semiconductor and can range across a spectrum from warm yellows to cooler blues.  

Due to their versatility, LED bulbs are being used as an alternative to other bulb types. LED bulbs have found their place across various industries and applications. Here are some common uses of LED bulbs: 

• Home Lighting:

LED bulbs are widely used in homes for general lighting, including ceiling fixtures, lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and recessed lighting.  

• Commercial and Office Spaces:

Offices, retail stores, and commercial buildings utilise LED bulbs for general lighting, task lighting, and ambient lighting.  

• Automotive Lighting:

LED bulbs are used in vehicle headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and interior lighting.  

• Smart Lighting Systems:

LED bulbs integrates well with smart lighting systems, allowing users to control brightness, colour, and scheduling remotely via smartphones or voice assistants. 

Halogen Bulbs Vs LED Bulbs 

When choosing between halogen bulbs and LED bulbs, several factors come into play. Let's delve into these factors to understand how these lighting options stack up against each other. 

• Energy efficiency: LED bulbs use significantly less energy to produce the same amount of light as halogen bulbs. When it comes to incandescent bulbs, most of the energy is lost as heat while the heat emission in LEDs is considerably lower. This results in lower electricity bills and reduces environmental impact over the long period.  
• Lifespan: LED bulbs boast an impressively longer lifespan. While halogen bulbs have a longer lifespan, they last for a shorter duration when compared to LED bulbs. LED bulbs can shine for up to 10 to 25 times longer. 
• Colour rendering capabilities: Halogen bulbs are known for providing excellent colour rendering, particularly in the warmer spectrum as it replicates natural sunlight. Similarly, LED bulbs also offer high-quality colour rendering but a broader range of colour temperatures providing more options to customise the lighting environment. 
• Environmental impact: LED bulbs consume less energy and have a longer lifespan. Due to this, they help to reduce carbon emissions (due to less energy consumption) and the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, LED bulbs are easier to recycle, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint compared to halogen bulbs. 
• Colour Temperature: Colour temperature refers to the appearance of light produced by a bulb and is measured in Kelvin (K). Halogen bulbs typically emit a warm, yellowish light around 3000K. On the other hand, LED bulbs offer a range of colour temperatures, from warm (around 2700K) to cool daylight (5000K and above). This versatility allows consumers to choose the desired ambience or functionality for different spaces. 

Comparison Chart – Halogen Vs LED 

Final Thoughts 

Although, LED bulbs outshine Halogen bulbs in a few aspects, each type of bulb is essential due to its unique capabilities. In some places, only a halogen bulb can set the tone right like in spotlights, whereas LED bulbs finds its utility in households and commerscial space. Therefore, at Crompton, we offer a range of lighting solutions to cater to unique preferences and needs. From smart LED lights, customisation option at your fingertips to conventional incandescent bulbs, we have it all.  

 Experience the future of lighting with Crompton LED solutions. Explore your options! 

FAQs on the Difference between Halogen and LED 

• Which bulb lasts longer, Halogen or LED?

Typically, LED bulbs last significantly longer than Halogen bulbs.  

• Is an LED bulb cheaper than a Halogen bulb?

Initially, LED bulbs tend to be more expensive than Halogen bulbs. However, LED bulbs are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan, resulting in lower long-term operational costs. 

• What is the difference between Halogen and LED?

The key differences lie in their technology, efficiency, lifespan, and environmental impact. LEDs are semiconductor devices that produce light when an electrical current passes through them. They are highly efficient, have a longer lifespan, and are more environmentally friendly. Halogen bulbs use a filament surrounded by halogen gases to produce light. They are less efficient with comparatively a shorter lifespan. 

• Which bulb consumes less energy, Halogen bulb, or LED bulb?

 LED bulbs consume significantly less energy than Halogen bulbs. LEDs are highly energy-efficient and can produce the same amount of light as Halogen bulbs using much less electricity. 

• Do LED bulbs produce heat like Halogen bulbs?

LED bulbs produce very little heat compared to Halogen bulbs. Halogen bulbs emit a considerable amount of heat, while LEDs remain relatively cool during operation, making them safer to handle and more efficient in terms of energy usage.