If you still have halogen downlights in your Whangarei or Kerikeri home, you're paying more than you need to — and running hotter ceilings than is ideal.
Here's a straight comparison of LED vs halogen (and older fluorescent) lighting, and whether the upgrade is actually worth it.
Power Use
This is where LED wins outright.
- Halogen downlight: typically 50W per fitting
- LED downlight (equivalent brightness): typically 7–10W per fitting
A modern LED produces the same light for around 85% less power.
What That Means in Dollars
A typical 3-bedroom home might have 20 downlights, used an average of 4 hours per day.
- Halogen: 20 × 50W × 4hrs × 365 days = 1,460 kWh/year. At 35c/kWh, that's around $511/year.
- LED: 20 × 8W × 4hrs × 365 days = 234 kWh/year. At 35c/kWh, that's around $82/year.
That's roughly $430/year saved on lighting alone.
Payback Period
A halogen-to-LED retrofit for 20 downlights usually costs around $1,800–$2,400 supplied and installed in Whangarei or Kerikeri.
At $430/year saved, that's a payback of around 4–5 years, then pure savings for another 15+ years.
Lifespan
- Halogen: 2,000–4,000 hours (you'll replace them every couple of years)
- LED: 25,000–50,000 hours (15–20 years of normal use)
Add the cost of replacement halogens (and the time spent doing it) and the LED case gets even stronger.
Heat Output
Halogens convert about 90% of the energy they use into heat. They get genuinely hot — hot enough that you can't have insulation touching them without a fire risk.
LEDs run cool. Modern IC-F (insulation contact, fire-rated) LED downlights can safely be installed right against ceiling insulation. That matters for:
- Energy efficiency (no insulation gaps around lights)
- Fire safety
- Cooler ceilings in summer
Light Quality
This used to be the LED weakness. Early LEDs were harsh, blue, and ugly.
Modern LEDs are excellent. You can choose:
- Warm white (2700K–3000K): cosy living areas, bedrooms
- Neutral white (3500K–4000K): kitchens, bathrooms, offices
- Cool white (5000K+): workshops, garages
- Tuneable white: lets you switch between warm and cool through the day
Quality LEDs also have a CRI (colour rendering index) of 90+, which means colours look natural — skin tones, food, fabrics.
Dimming
Yes, modern LED downlights dim — but only with a compatible LED dimmer. If you've ever tried installing LEDs on an old dimmer and had them flicker or buzz, that's the cause. We always check the dimmer when retrofitting.
Smart and App-Controlled Options
If you're already upgrading, it's worth considering smart LEDs that integrate with your phone or voice assistant. Schedule lights, dim by room, set scenes — all features that just work with modern LED systems.
What to Watch For
- Cheap supermarket LEDs: lifespan and light quality are usually disappointing. We use quality fittings that actually last.
- Wrong fitting type: IC-F rated fittings are required if there's ceiling insulation. Anything less is unsafe.
- Non-compliant install: any new lighting circuit work must be certified by a registered electrician.
Bottom Line
For 95% of Whangarei and Kerikeri homes still running halogens, the LED upgrade is a no-brainer:
- Save around $400/year per 20 lights
- Pay back in 4–5 years
- Run for another 15+ years after that
- Get safer, cooler ceilings
- Get nicer, more flexible light
Get a quote on your LED downlight upgrade or call 09 407 6468.