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