Replacing Old Technology with New: LED Bulbs

"Science ... provides technologies that have had a great impact
on our society and the environment."
AQA GCSE Physics Specification

Halogen lighting has become incredibly popular in the last decade or so. They are most common as spotlights or downlights and can often be seen in modern kitchens or bathrooms.

Whilst it is true that a 50 W halogen bulb gives out more light than a standard 50 W lamp, their design is such that much of the emitted light is concentrated in a narrow angle - so lots of them are needed to provide reasonably uniform lighting in a room.

Although individually more efficient than a standard bulb, the fact that more need installing means the total power is higher than if a standard 100 W or 150 W bulb was handing from the ceiling with a diffusing lamp shade over it.

So whilst they look "high-tech" and do work very well, they generally do so with a much higher running cost and "carbon footprint" - not exactly as 21st century lighting solution. Luckily, scientists have found a solution...

Energy Menu

Go to next page