Halogen Lighting Solutions:-
taken from www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Contents:-
1. The Problem
2. Use Alternate light sources
3. Remove halogen lights from some of the fittings
4. Downsizing halogens
5. Upgrading and rewiring to compact fluorescents
6. New Lighting Systems
The Problem:
12 volt halogen lights are often believed to be low energy. However, because their light output is confined to a small area many of them need to be used at once to provide adequate light for a room. Halogen lights are more suited to task lighting (i.e. lighting up kitchen bench tops).
12 volt lights can be identified by the 2 thin pointed pins which connect the light to the fitting and by the accompanying transformer box in the ceiling.
50 watt halogen lights are commonly used in homes. In some large rooms 20 or more of these lights may be installed using over 1 kilowatt an hour when switched on (this is the same as a bar radiator!). They can also produce a lot of heat – which will not be very welcome on a hot summer’s day.
Each 12 volt light has a transformer installed to convert power from the conventional 240 volts to 12 volts. The transformer itself uses around 5 to 15 watts in addition to the energy used for the light.
For safety reasons, insulation must be kept clear from the light and the accompanying transformer – leaving ‘holes’ in the insulation where heat escapes.
Not all halogen lights use transformers. These lights use a 240 volt lamp. These lights are identified by the thicker blunt pins which slot into the fittings.
Use Alternate light sources:
| Solution: |
If possible, use an alternative lighting source to the overhead halogen lights – i.e. a floor lamp fitted with a compact fluorescent light |
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| Suitable for: |
Tenants and others wanting to minimize costs |
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| Potential savings: |
If replacing 5 halogen lights of 50 watts each with a single 20 watt compact fluorescent light total energy used in lighting the area will be reduced by 92%. |
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| Notes: |
Compact fluorescent lights are available in a ‘warm’ light and a ‘cool’ light. The warm light is more suitable to living areas and bedrooms. The cool light will generally suit bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. |
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| Costs: |
Compact fluorescent lights retail between $5 and 7. These lights are available from supermarkets, specialist lighting and hardware stores. |
Remove halogen lights from some of the fittings:
| Solution: |
Remove some of the lights from sockets, particularly from those which are lighting parts of the room which are not generally occupied, such as corners. |
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| Suitable for: |
Owner occupiers or tenants |
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| Potential savings: |
If five 50 watt lights are removed, this will save 250 watts each hour. |
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| Notes: |
Removing the lights from the sockets will mean that energy use will be cut by the wattage of each light removed. However, each transformer will still be using a small amount of energy. |
Downsizing halogens:
| Solution: |
Replace 50 watt halogen lights with 20 watt or 35 watt halogen lights. These could be replaced at once or one by one as lights stop working. |
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| Suitable for: |
Owner occupiers or long term tenants. |
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| Potential savings: |
If replacing a bank of 10 halogen lights of 50 watts each with 35 watt halogen lights, the total energy used in lighting the area will be reduced by 30%. |
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| Notes: |
The 20 watt lights may not provide sufficient light where the halogen provides task lighting (i.e. over kitchen benches / sinks). The 35 watt lights will be more suited to this situation. Lower wattage lights are available from specialist lighting and major hardware stores. |
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| Costs: |
Halogen lights retail around $11 each. |
Upgrading and rewiring to compact fluorescents:
| Solution: |
Replace halogen lights with compact fluorescent down lights which use 6 – 11 watts per light. |
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| Suitable for: |
Owner occupiers. |
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| Potential savings: |
If replacing a bank of 10 halogen lights of 50 watts each with
a 9 watt compact fluorescent down lights total energy used in
lighting the area will be reduced by 82%. |
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| Notes: |
Before purchasing replacement lights, check that the light will
fit in your down light fittings. The base of the compact
fluorescent down lights will not be as tapered as halogen
lights.
In addition, the power source will need to be upgraded from 12 volt to 240 volt by a licensed electrician.
Compact fluorescent lights are available in a ‘warm’ light and a ‘cool’ light. The warm light is more suitable to living areas and bedrooms. The cool light will generally suit bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. |
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| Costs: |
Compact fluorescent down lights retail for over $20 each and are available from specialist lighting stores and some hardware stores. The cost associated with the electrician to upgrade the lights will also have to be factored in. |
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| Other benefits: |
Once installed, any gaps in the ceiling insulation made for the low voltage transformers will be able to be covered with insulation. |
New lighting systems:
Do not install halogen lights, explore the alternatives listed above.
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