Can I replace halogen bulbs with LED?

You’re at the electronics store, and you’re feeling somewhat adventurous.

All this talk about LED technology has left you wondering whether it’s time to switch from your halogen lamps to something more low-maintenance.

You’re on the right track. LEDs are expected to reach 61% penetration into the global lighting market by 2020.

They use less energy, last longer than halogen bulbs, and save you loads of cash on electricity bills.

Upgrading your halogen bulbs is an uncomplicated exercise since emerging LEDs are designed to retrofit your current fittings.

You can replace your halogen bulbs with LED yourself or call in a professional, especially if you have a low voltage instead of a mains voltage circuit.

This article will arm you with information to help you on the exciting path of LEDs.

What information should I look for when replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs?

Bulb Fittings

Before you make any purchase, check the dimensions and base fitting of your existing halogen bulbs.

Start by removing your halogen bulb from the fitting, and with a ruler, measure the distance between the two studs at the bottom.

You can then use these measurements to match the LED bulbs at the store.

A Guide to Bulb Sizes

• GU10 bulb has pointed studs 10mm apart
• G9 bulb has straight or looped studs 9mm apart
• GU4/MR11 bulb has sharp pins 4mm apart
• GU5.3/MR16 bulb has two sharp pins, 5mm apart

An MR11 or MR16 LED will fit the same base as an MR11 or MR16 halogen bulb, respectively.

Although the MR11 bulb is compact in size (35mm wide), many people confuse it for the 50mm wide MR16 LED, so make sure you match the base fitting codes.

However, you’ll have to buy a transformer to lower the voltage from 240V to 12V for your bulbs to work. You could also convert your low-voltage halogen lamps to 240V mains voltage.

A GU10 or GU9 bulb (they have a twist and lock fitting) can be switched to LED without replacing any parts of your electrical system.

Life Expectancy

LED bulbs have a lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours, notably higher than halogens. They also come with a 1-year warranty.

To determine LED life, manufacturers estimate the amount of time it takes for an LED bulb to fade to a percentage of its original brightness (lumen depreciation). Take, for example, a bulb with an expectancy of 30,000 hours and a lumen depreciation of L50. This bulb will produce 50% of the light output after a lifespan of 30,000 hours.

Wattage and Power

At the base of the halogen globe, you’ll discover an imprint of the wattage or the amount of power that the bulb uses when turned on.

Halogen bulbs consume 10% more power than LEDs, so it’s impossible to make a direct comparison.

To determine the correct wattage, check the bulb’s packaging for the ‘equivalent incandescent wattage’ or estimate. For instance, a 100W halogen bulb would have the same light output as a 10W LED bulb and so on.

Voltage

All LEDs need a driver to function properly due to their low energy consumption. 240V bulbs have an inbuilt driver, while the 12V bulb requires an external transformer.

Don’t fail to account for the additional cost of a transformer and labour if you’re upgrading low-voltage halogens to LEDs.

Colour

Every LED bulb is labelled according to its colour temperature.

The higher the Kelvin value, the cooler the light.

Did you know that a candle flame has a colour temperature of 2000K? It’s classified as extra warm light.

Halogen bulbs operate at 2700K-3000K, which is specified as warm white, perfect for living areas and bedrooms.

Spot light bulbs, used in commercial spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms, produce a much brighter, cooler white light of 6000K.

Any colour temperature above this is described as pure white light or daylight.

Lumens

To get the same effect from your LED bulb as you did from the halogen bulb, match the lumen values. Most halogen bulbs have a light output of 650-700 lumens.

A 60W LED bulb will produce 650 to 850 lumens. A 100W bulb will yield 1450 to 1700 lumens, while a 150W bulb will have a light output of 2700 lumens.

You should choose the lumen value depending on the purpose of the room. For example, your study will mostly require a higher lumen value than a restaurant would.

Beam Angle

A narrow beam of light is perfect for spotlights due to its focussed glow, while a wider ray is used for general lighting.

Determine what you would like to use your LED bulbs for, then select them based on their beam angle.

The higher the light opening angle, the broader the beam will be.

To Dim or Not to Dim

If you prefer to adjust the brightness of your bulbs from time to time, you probably have dimmer switches already. Take caution not to use non-dimmable LEDs on a dimmable circuit, as this will damage the circuit.

Dimmable LEDs may be more expensive, but their low-energy options will save you money down the road. They can also be used on a non-dimmable circuit, so if you intend to upgrade to a dimmable circuit in future, buying dimmable bulbs is well-advised.

Since LEDs consume little energy, you might have to change to a low-voltage dimmer. Failure to do this will result in flickering, irregular dimming levels and a damaged LED driver, bulb and circuit.

Price

The LED bulb lasts at least 15 times longer than a halogen bulb while only consuming a quarter of the energy. This mitigates the higher purchase cost of LED, and it’s now common to find great deals online.

Led-Shop has an economy calculator to show you how much you will save when you make the switch to LED.

Always ensure that the prices quoted on web stores include GST and delivery fees when purchasing your LEDs.

How to Replace 12V Halogen Bulbs

This process is a little complex as it requires some basic knowledge of electrical wiring. It’s safer to hire an electrician to replace your transformer and low-voltage bulbs.

However, if you’re confident in your DIY electrical skills, you can follow this step-by-step guide:

• Step 1: Head to the circuit breaker box and switch off the power supply
• Step 2: If the bulb’s out of reach, use a step ladder or a solid (and safe) piece of furniture
• Step 3: Reach out and pull out the halogen bulb
• Step 4: With a screwdriver, loosen the screws and locate the driver just above the fitting
• Step 5: Find the two wires that link the fitting to the driver and cut off the ends
• Step 6: Link the wires to the LED driver (attach the neutral wire to the neutral input and the live wire to the live input)
• Step 7: Connect the driver to the bulb fitting (if you’re using multiple bulbs for one driver, fasten each fitting separately)
• Step 8: Once the bulb fitting is in place, push in your 12V LED bulb
• Step 9: Turn on the power at the circuit breaker panel
• Step 10: Turn on the light switch and enjoy your new LED bulb

How to Replace 240V Halogen Bulbs

This is a straightforward exercise because 240V GU10 bulbs are a perfect fit for your current mains voltage fittings.

• Step 1: First, turn off the power switch at the circuit breaker panel
• Step 2: Take a sturdy piece of furniture or ladder so you can safely reach your bulb fitting – skip this step if the bulb is low enough for you to hold
• Step 3: Twist and pull out your old halogen GU10 bulb from the fitting
• Step 4: Press the GU10 LED bulb into the socket and twist it until it fits
• Step 5: Once your bulb locks into place, switch the breaker box back on
• Step 6: Turn on your light switch and watch the bulb shine