Are you ready for the Halogen Ban?

The EU will enforce the sixth stage of the ErP Regulation (EC) 244/2009 from the 1st September 2018 across non-directional halogen lamps, these are the standard pear or candle bulb shaped lamps used in homes across Europe. The ban prohibits the placing of certain inefficient non-directional household lamps on the market, replacing halogen bulbs with more efficient and longer-lasting LED equivalents.

Halogen bulb vs LED energy saving bulb

Don’t panic! You will still be able to purchase halogen bulbs after this date, but once they’re gone, they are gone!

Although LED remains more expensive than halogen, as consumers we are becoming more and more conscious of the energy we use. You’ll notice in supermarkets and DIY stores that you’ll now find a wider choice in LED lamps than older incandescent and halogen types.

It’s already easier now to pick up an LED bulb that can be used in your existing fitting and the higher initial cost to switch will quickly be offset as there will be no unnecessarily high energy bills and no need to replace the bulb as often, as LED replacements have more than 35,000 lifetime hours.

So why impose a ban?

Across Europe, there are still an estimated 500 million halogen spotlights being used in homes and, if they were replaced with good LED equivalents, every household would save an average of £70 a year in energy savings! The payback period can be as little as a few months. Switching from a 50w halogen to a 6.5w LED bulb could save you approximately £150 over the product's lifetime!

Compared to LEDs, halogen bulbs consume 10 times more energy and emit significantly more excess heat which negatively impacts the environment and global warming. 

New technology has resulted in a dramatic evolution of LED lighting and it is now easy to find lights which give out an attractive warm white light for homes or a brighter white light for the workplace. LED lamps themselves are highly efficient A++ rated lights which produce 120 lumens per watt compared to a traditional halogen bulb which produces only around 12 lumens per watt. The LED will waste a lot less heat, whilst being more reliable, they are bright as soon as they are switched on and have a tremendously longer lifespan.

The efficiencies of LED lamps:

• 1 LED bulb has the equivalent lifespan of 35 halogen lamps. Yes, a whopping 35!
• LED lamps last over 35,000 hours when used 6 hours a day, 2 days a week.
• Energy efficient lighting could save enough energy to power 11 million households for one year and avoid the emission of 12 million tonnes of CO2 in Europe.

If you’re convinced, head to www.rswww.com to find LED equivalents across the extensive range from RS Pro, Ledvance, and other brands.

You can find the full range of LED lamps here.