LED vs halogen for downlights
| Criterion | LED | Halogen |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption for the same light | 9W | 50W |
| Life | 25,000u201350,000 hours | 2,000u20134,000 hours |
| Heat into the ceiling | Low | High u2014 a fire consideration in a wooden void |
| Dimming | Needs a compatible driver and dimmer | Dims on almost anything |
The arithmetic
Twenty 50W halogens running six hours a day consume about 2,190 units a year. Twenty 9W LEDs doing the same job consume about 394. At any tariff, the fixtures pay for themselves well inside a year.