Energy saving halogen bulbs – the efficient successors to incandescents

Energy saving halogen bulbs have the same colour qualities as incandescents, are 30% more energy efficient, last twice as long, and can be dimmed.

More energy efficient than incandescents
Energy saving halogen bulbs look like ordinary incandescents. They are the classic globe shape, but are recognisable by the fact that the filament is replaced by a small halogen bulb.
Halogen bulbs
Energy saving halogen bulbs last twice as long as incandescents and use 30% less energy. They are classified as energy class C. Other bulbs in the same category, which use 45% less energy than incandescents, are classified as energy class B.

Good advice on using energy saving halogen bulbs
Energy saving halogen bulbs are still expensive in operation compared with standard energy saving bulbs (CFLs). But they can directly replace incandescents in places where it is important to have particularly good colour rendering. Halogens can also be dimmed using existing dimmers in the same way as incandescents.

  • Use halogen bulbs in places that need particularly good colour rendering, e.g. over the dining table, above a mirror, and for sewing and needlework.
  • Use a dimmer. A bulb's life can be extended when it is dimmed.
    NB.  Make sure that the halogen bulb is used at maximum brightness at regular intervals. Not doing so may shorten its lifetime.

Facts about halogen bulbs

  • Halogen bulbs have 230 volt Edison bases (E27 and E14).
  • You'll find them typically with outputs between 18 and 100 watts.
  • You can use them in the same types of lamps as ordinary incandescents.
  • Energy saving halogen bulbs typically have an energy efficiency of 15-16 lumen per watt and a lifetime of approx. 2,000 hours.

Page last updated 08.10.2009