When planning a swimming pool light installation, there’s far more to choosing pool lights than looks. You also need to consider safety, efficiency, and long-term value. When you consider all these factors, two clear favourites rise to the top—halogen and LED. While both options give you some amazing lights, which is actually the superior choice? In this post, the team at Impulse Electrical Enterprise will break down the key differences between halogen and LED, helping you decide which is the right light for your pool.

What are Halogen Pool Lights?

Halogen pool lights are the traditional, high-intensity underwater lights that you see in most older swimming pools. The lighting system generates light by heating up tungsten filaments to incandescence, producing a warm, bright white light as a result. They are known for their low upfront costs and easy bulb replacements. 

What are LED Pool Lights?

On the other hand, LED pool lights are the highly energy-efficient and durable cousins of halogen pool lights. Instead of tungsten filaments, these pool lights illuminate the water using a series of light-emitting diodes, hence the name LED. These lights are bright, colour-customisable, and last longer than traditional pool lights.

Key Differences: Halogen vs. LED Pool Lighting

Cost and Value

Halogen lights have a lower upfront cost, between 5 and 10 times cheaper than their LED counterparts. However, they consume a lot of energy and need to be replaced frequently due to their short lifespan. On the other hand, LED lights have a higher upfront cost but are long-lasting and extremely customisable, making them more value for money in the long run. 

Energy Efficiency

LEDS are the superior choice in terms of energy efficiency. LEDs convert about 80%-90% of energy into light, while halogen bulbs lose a lot of energy as heat. 

Lifespan and Maintenance 

LED pool lights can last around 15-20 years, approximately 30,000 - 50,000 hours. On the other hand, halogen pool lights last between 1000 and 5000 hours, requiring replacements every 1-2 seasons. 

Heat Output and Safety 

As we mentioned above, Halogen pool lights lose a lot of energy as heat. These bulbs can reach over 200 F in minutes. LED lights stay much cooler for longer periods of time.

Lighting Quality and Features 

LED lights are extremely customisable in terms of colour and light design. Halogen light bulbs are restricted to bright, warm, white, and yellowish glows.

Which Option is Better for Your Swimming Pool Light Installation?

In comparison, LED pool lights are generally considered the superior option. They are extremely energy efficient, have long lifespans, and are extremely customisable in terms of light colours and patterns. These lights are also the best choice for anyone looking to create modern, aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions, as they can easily blend into the background without creating any obstructions.

While the initial cost of installation is significantly higher than halogen lights, the longevity and low maintenance mean that they will function at peak levels for a long time, making them more value for money in the long run.

Conclusion

Halogen and LED are arguably the two most popular types of pool lights, and when it comes time to install lights in their pools, homeowners and businesses have to make a choice between them. While halogen lights can seem like the cheaper option, this is only a short-term solution. If you take a closer look at the facts, you’ll see that LEDs are the best value for money in the long run. 

If you’re ready to install or upgrade your pool lights, you need to give a team of experienced electricians in Sydney a call, and Impulse Electrical Enterprise is here to answer the call. Get in touch with us, and our team will come to your location and help you create a safer, brighter, more stylish, and more energy-efficient pool area. Make your pool the talk of the town with a little help from IEE.