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About the
Halogen
light bulb
Facts
and Myth About The Halogen Downlight
Halogen
bulbs
are much less efficient than LED
lights or compact fluorescent globes. Yet the down light myth is
persistent. Learn
real benefits and find resource to a clever add-on to make halogens safer.
The use of halogen globes
for practically anything is a widely
accepted practice. Among them the fixtures popularly
called downlights that are used for true color rendering. Also, stylish
track lighting
is awailable where the tracks are wires actually. The low woltage in
those wires makes them possible to run unconcealed. But
when you consider efficiency it's a different ball game.
Cost
(both bulb cost and operating cost), and operating heat become
important factors when you compare them to other light bulbs.
Halogens
have clear aesthetic benefits, but energy bulbs they are not quite.
Halogens
-- Use them for
Warm True Color Spots
If you already have them use
them predominantly for warm spot and washer lighting.
But,
keep your
eyes peeled for good bright LED bulbs becoming very affordable.
Already making there mark, my
prediction is that LED bulbs will be your choice for most spotlighting
once their price consolidate. Learn
more about LED Bulbs here.
See
how light color temperature affects usage
Replacing
Halogens : the
Myth
Halogens
are the choice of the day for choosing low voltage
lighting. And halogens are great in that they provide a very even and
vibrant light. But they burn out without warning (very little fun
there), and they too need regular replacement.
Halogen
Efficiency Stinks
Take
this as an example: A typical $10 50W
halogen globe uses
around $30 worth of energy over its entire
life of approximately 1,000 hours. Over that lifetime that used energy
plus lamp costs will cost you around $11 per bulb. Not let's ompare
that to another typical bulb, but this time take a compact fluorescent
one. A $15 12W compact fluorescent will last about 3,000 hours and
provide similar light at a lifetime cost of lamp plus energy of $15
dollars. Over the same lifespan that a halogen light bulb
lasts ( whihc is 1,000 hours, remember) that's a cost of only
$5 per resulting in a saving of 60%.
Compact fluorescents are not
only much better
energy saving bulbs they also cost at least 3 times less to
run.
The
inefficiency of halogen downlights
make
both fluorescents and LED downlight even
more
cost efficient.
True, halogen lights are
low voltage lighting
fixtures. But because their light is narrowly directed with a sharply
defined edge you need too many of them to properly light a room. And
with any halogens - not just spots - heat
is also produced at the adaptor or transformer and that is a
significant though somewhat hidden heat output.
The
low voltage
halogen down-light myth is persistent. But for room
lighting
you should consider compact fluorescent bulbs instead. They reliably
last longer and cheaper to run. And because you need to use too many
halogens for a decent
lighting fluorescents will be even less overall wattage and produce
much
less heat. Learn more about
Compact
Fluorescent Bulbs here.
Replacement
of halogens: handling
To add insult to injury, replacing a halogen bulb is a very
delicate operation. You cannot smudge it with your fingertips. If you
do the slight deposit of grease will burn from the too high heat
resulting in the speedy loss of the bulb. Halogens, as the saying goes
- are very delicate creatures.
Halogen
light bulb in light
therapy
The
most exciting and interesting (at least for me) usage of halogen
light bulbs and globes is for light therapy
application.
Halogen bulbs as part of a polar light therapy are known to treat some
skin condition and promote tissue
healing. We have
such a device in the family and use it regularly.
Actually,
in light of LED bulbs, washers and even compact fluorescent light bulbs
outshining halogens for spot lighting - and in
energy efficiency -
therapy lighting
might well be
the cleverest way for using halogens on the long run.
Halogens
are good for ...
Halogens
are good and still recommended as warm bright spots, but LED
bulbs are
catching up fast.
Polarized halogen light
is an
exciting
form of polar light therapy.
!!!
Warning, halogens are hot
and piercingly bright
Caution!
Looking directly at
bright halogen lighting for a prolonged period of time and from within
a short distance may cause eye injury.
Related
Articles, Resources:
Learn
more about Compact
Fluorescent Bulbs here
Learn
more about LED bulbs here
This clever product for recessed
lighting reduces need for
drywall boxes that you would normally need to insulate the heat source.
http://www.tenmat-us.com
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