EU Halogen Ban
Halogen light bulbs will be banned in the UK as a result of EU legislation effective from 1 September. The legislation is designed to push consumers and businesses into switching to energy efficient LEDs. Here’s everything you need to know about the ban and how it will affect you.
Do I need to get rid of my halogens on 1 September? No. You can continue using your halogens and simply replace them when needed, although switching to LED bulbs now will enable you to start saving money on your lighting sooner.
Will I be able to buy halogens after 1 September? Yes. Suppliers of halogen bulbs will be permitted to sell their existing stock when the ban comes into effect.
I’ve heard that being forced to switch to LEDs will increase my lighting costs. Is this true? No. While the upfront cost of LED bulbs is higher than halogens, LEDs use 80 to 90% less electricity than halogens, so they are much cheaper to run. In addition, LEDs last up to 15 times longer than halogens, so you will need to replace them less often. These two key facts mean that you will save a considerable amount of money by switching to LEDs.
Can I simply replace halogens with LEDs, or will I need an electrician? Mains halogens can be swapped for their equivalent LEDs. The only exception is low voltage systems. These will need a suitable transformer to power them and we strongly recommend that you ask an electrician for advice. Remember that many exterior security floodlights may also have halogen bulbs.
I’m used to buying bulbs according to wattage. What are the equivalent wattages for LEDs? The brightness of LED light bulbs is displayed in lumens, although most LED manufacturers will include the equivalent halogen wattage on the packaging to make things easier. Generally speaking, a 100 Watt halogen will be replaced by a 12 Watt LED.
Will dimmable LEDs work with my existing dimmer switches? In most instances, no. You will need an LED-compatible dimmer switch to use dimmable LEDs.
Will the ban still apply in spite of Brexit? Yes. As long as the UK is in the EU in must abide by their laws, including this one. Even when the UK does leave the EU, it is very unlikely that lighting manufacturers will continue to make halogens if they can only be sold in a few countries.
Before spending any money to make changes to your lighting, take a moment to think about this as an opportunity to improve or upgrade the lighting you have.
For more information about the benefits, and options available, to improve your lighting, talk to us… because there’s more to light!
