How to Choose Between LED and Halogen Lighting

Since September 2021, most halogen bulbs have been banned from sale in the UK under EU/UK energy efficiency regulations. Retailers can no longer stock them, and homeowners are increasingly finding their old bulbs impossible to replace.

The good news is that LED downlights are now cheaper, brighter, and more colour-accurate than ever. A quality 5W LED GU10 produces the same light output as a 50W halogen — a 90% reduction in energy use.

For a typical kitchen with 10 downlights used 4 hours per day, switching from halogen to LED saves approximately £80-£120 per year on electricity. In commercial settings with 50+ lights, the savings run into thousands.

Colour temperature matters. Warm white (2700K-3000K) suits living rooms and bedrooms. Cool white (4000K) is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces. Daylight (5000K+) is best for garages and commercial spaces.

Fire-rated downlights are legally required in ceilings that form part of a fire barrier — typically any upstairs room. We fit IC-rated housings that maintain your ceiling's 30-60 minute fire integrity.

Dimming requires compatible drivers. Cheap LEDs on old dimmer switches will flicker or buzz. We replace dimmer modules with LED-specific trailing-edge dimmers for smooth, silent operation from 1-100%.

At RTS Electrical, we offer full property LED audits across Flintshire. We calculate your exact payback, recommend the right colour temperatures for each room, and install fire-rated, dimmable fittings with full certification.