The halogen ban has now taken full effect, a huge deal for the electrical market, but how exactly will it and is it already impacting you?
As of September 1st, 2018, after almost 60 years of lighting, our cars, homes and towns, the Halogen bulbs have finally been removed from markets across Europe. But with the average home using 10 halogen lamps, is Britain ready for the LED switch? From what caused it to what the next steps are, keep reading to find out what the halogen ban is all about and what exactly you’re going to need to be in the know about – straight from the mouth of your local electricians.
Why Has it Happened?
Industry campaigners and scientific experts have been reporting for decades
that halogen lamps are not only a dangerously high cause of carbon pollution
but also a huge waste of energy – typically failing after two years, compared
to LED lamps, that last approximately 15-20 years on the same usage.
So, it’s important to remember that even though the upfront price of LEDs can be more expensive, they are more cost effective in the long term – meaning they cut not only carbon emissions but also your energy bills long term; less climate change for our planet and more change left for your wallet.
Once it has taken its full effect, it is forecasted that the phasing out of Halogen bulbs will eventually decrease carbon emissions by more than 15m tons of carbon emissions a year. So, to put into perspective how much good this is predicted to do for the EU’s carbon footprint: this figure is almost three times the amount that the UK emitted for the entirety of 2015 (according to most recent data provided by the European Commission’s database publishing).
Will Brexit effect this?
Whilst the ban on Halogen bulbs has produced some controversy amongst those who
believe that British customers shouldn’t have their choice imposed by EU
regulations, most lighting manufacturers in the UK fully support the halogen
ban, due to its inefficient energy usage and high pollution rate, so are quite
unlikely to produce special lamps for the UK market alone once Brexit comes
into effect. It is also understood that EU rules will continue to apply even
after the UK leaves its jurisdiction.
What do I Need to do Now?
With halogen’s monopoly on the lightbulb market having now fully burnt out, many customers may be feeling overwhelmed by the freedom of choice available to them. To help you come to terms with what’s available and light the way towards making an informed choice on your new go-to light bulb, we’ve compiled an informative list of only our best and brightest products available.
Blythe Electricals’ advice
In most cases, LED lamps will still fit into your existing light fittings – so replacing your Halogen bulbs may not be as much as an inconvenience as it seems! However, please bear in mind that it gets trickier for low voltage recessed downlights as they use transformers. In this case, it is vital that you to take to choose the right LED lamp to install, otherwise they may flicker.
Your local electrical wholesaler should be able to guide you on products available for your fitting.
Halogen bulb alternatives:
Just over four months into the Halogen ban many wholesalers are already reporting significant upsurge in popular LED bulb alternatives. Such as:
Philips Classic Filament LED Lamp Warm White B22 and Philips Classic LED Lamp Warm White E27
Whilst still resembling the look of the old
incandescent lamps, these classic filament LED lamps also have the added
benefit of long-lasting LED technology. With their traditional shape and
decorative warm-white light, they’re ideal an ideal option for feature light
fittings – whilst also saving 90% on your energy costs.
Bell 05181 7W LED Dimmable GLS Pearl
Lamp
This 7W LED lamp is the equivalent to 40W and
has a shelf life of 30000 hours (almost 3 and a half years of continuous
usage!). It’s also dimmable, which makes it a great choice for those tricky
fitted halogen lights.
Enlite ICE 240V 5W GU10 Dimmable LED
Lamp
Enlite’s ThermoTex technology utilises a combination of highly efficient LED
light source, aluminum heat sinking and thermoplastic material for a longer
life and consistent performance. With a wide 60° beam angle, these lamps are
ideal for kitchen or bathroom spotlights.
Philips Lighting Master LED Spot MV
Dimmable Cool White GU10 and Philips Master LED Spot MV Dimmable Warm White
GU10
An ideal replacement for existing GU10 halogen lamps: this Phillips model is
available in 5-50W and a beam angle of 36°. They provide a perfect fit for spot
lighting and delivering a warm halogen-like light, whilst simultaneously
ensuring significant energy savings and minimal maintenance costs. Plus, with
its dimmable function, the LED Spot MV Dimmable Cool White caters for the
precise atmosphere that its users desire.
Zano ZLINELED
These flicker-free and silent plate-mounted dimmers are easy to install and
feature Zano’s smart settings for perfect performance at low levels. The
perfect solution to flickering LED lamps.
Astro Lighting Constant Current LED
Driver
LED drivers regulate the power that an LED lamp is exposed to, so this 700m constant current LED driver is the perfect solution for all new dimmable halogen replacements, particularly with 1-10V dimmers.
If you require any more information then we’d love to help. Get in contact by telephone 01675 464 009 or email [email protected].
