Australia is pushing back the introduction of new legislation to phase out halogen lamps by 12 months to keep the policy in line with the European Union.
Halogen lamps were due to be phased out by September 2020, but this has been moved to late 2021.
The move followed a decision in 2009 to phase out incandescent bulbs in mainstream light fittings in an effort to lower carbon emissions and encourage energy efficiency. Despite this, modern cosmetic versions of incandescent lighting still exist on the market for ambience and decoration.
In 2018, the Council of Australia Governments (COAG) Energy Ministers agreed to go one step further by phasing out halogen lights and introducing new minimum standards for the use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.
The COAG energy ministers agreed to align Australia’s policy with that of the European Union, using the latter as a roadmap for implementation of best practice.
The government’s energy rating website said that EU legislation (published December 2019) which was due to be implemented in early 2020 has been pushed back to come into effect in September 2021 as a result of the disruption brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic.
The government said that the delay will allow for more consultations and the Equipment Energy Efficiency Programme (E3) will seek stakeholder advice to improve the transition period.
Does this mean I should not replace halogen lamps just yet?
You may decide to wait if it’s an undertaking you can’t go through with just yet, but pushing forward can certainly help reduce your electricity bill if you do so. Government research has found that lighting costs account for between 18 and 40 percent of electricity consumption in commercial premises.
LED light bulbs last much longer than incandescent, fluorescent and halogen equivalents and they also require a quarter of the power to generate the same amount of light.
Government guidelines show that good quality LED lights last between five to ten times longer than halogen lights.
You may have also heard of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) but LEDs are way ahead of the pack.
• LED bulbs last between 15,000 to 50,000 hrs
• Halogen bulbs last between 1,000 to 4,000 hours
• CFLs last approximately 6,000 hours.
Looking at the upfront costs, LEDs can cost about $10 which looks costly when compared to halogen ($3) or CFL ($6). But when you crunch the numbers, the benefits of LEDs are plain to see as shown in the table from Energy Rating shows below.
Compatibility
The first thing to consider when replacing halogen fittings with LEDs is the fitting you require. Like their predecessors, they come in Bayonet (twist and push) or Edison (screw-in) format.
Actual light output
It’s a good idea to compare the light output off by your existing lighting to what LED replacements to give off before making a decision. The measure is taken in lumens.
In the past, light fittings were measured in watts, but because LEDs produce the same levels of light using far less power, you need to be looking at lumens rather than wattage.
You should also be aware that what is shown on the packaging is not necessarily what will happen in the field.
When light is tested under lab conditions, it will show a higher output than under natural conditions.
This table shows the conversion from wattage to lumens, but this will depend on the manufacturer.
You can call one of our Energy Management Consultants for an obligation-free chat today. We can easily crunch your numbers and advise you on what will work for your business.
Safety ratings
Safety and certification is always a paramount concern at Leading Edge Energy. You can easily procure LED lighting in bulk off the internet, but the safety risks they may pose far outweigh the quick buck you can save.
When we recommend LED solutions, we look at mandatory safety requirements and certifications. Regulatory Compliance Marks (RCM) show the product meets the Australian electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
The brand must be registered on the Australian Government National Equipment Registration System.
We always look for a warranty of at least 2 years for a product claiming a 15,000 lifetime or a minimum of 3 years or longer for lamps claiming a lifetime over 15,000 hours.
We’re here to help
Leading Edge Energy helps companies reduce their energy spend. We can help you do this quickly and simply by identifying energy-guzzling lighting such as halogen lamps and replacing them with LED lighting.
Depending on the nature of your business, we can help you make a saving of up to 80% on lighting alone.
Want to make the switch to LEDs in preparation for the halogen lights ban but don’t know where to start?
Call us today on 1300 852 770 or email us on hello@leadingedgeenergy.com.au and we can help you figure out ways to reduce energy costs for your business. You can also fill out this form for a free energy evaluation and one of our Energy Experts will be in touch when it is convenient for you.
