The first stage of phasing-out non-compliant extra low voltage halogen reflector lamps commenced on 1 October 2010. From this date all halogen mirror reflector lamps such as the ubiquitous 12 volt 50 Watt MR16 dichroic lamp must achieve the prescribed minimum energy performance. Poor energy performing lamps will have disappeared from the market.
After 14 April this year the common 50W dichroic or mirror back reflector 12 volt halogen lamp used in many homes and commercial premises will begin to disappear. The lamp has been targeted for replacement due to its high energy usage and the large installed base. Replacing this lamp type will require use of alternative lamps and replacement luminaire technologies.
Lighting Council Australia estimates that there are some 300 million downlights in Australian homes that use the MR16 lamp. Australia has one of the highest – if not the highest – penetration of these products in private dwellings in the world. A significant opportunity for electrical contractors will soon exist to provide replacement lamps or luminaires in applications where these lamps are used. However they need to understand the pros and cons of the alternative lamps and replacement luminaires available.
What is loosely referred to as a low voltage luminaire is also mistakenly thought of as being low energy. The 12 volt 50W luminaire is certainly not low wattage or energy efficient - especially when compared to alternative technologies available today. They are cheap, easy and profitable for electricians to install and many of them are required to illuminate a space. Being an incandescent technology they are hot while illuminated and have been linked to many roof cavity insulation fires. Being hot, they also increase the load on air conditioning systems, adding to their poor reputation for energy efficiency.
The replacement options include:
- using the same lamp shape and type except with a 35W rating
- using the same lamp shape but with LED technology
- replacing the complete luminaire with one of three other available technologies:
- mains voltage halogen 50W GU10 base reflector lamp
- compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
- LED luminaire
35W lamps
From 14 April the phase-out will simply see a ban on importation of the 50W MR16 lamp (existing stock already in Australia may continue to be sold). Hence the easiest option will be to replace the 50W lamp with a 35W lamp. Fortunately good quality 35W 12V halogen lamps can provide similar light output to the average 50W lamp. Most consumers will have difficulty in distinguishing between the two.
Eventually however Lighting Council Australia expects that all halogen products will disappear. This may be as soon as 2015.
GU10 base reflector lamps
GU10 reflector lamps will remain a viable option. However as stated above it is expected that as an inefficient incandescent technology they too are likely to be phased-out.
Compact fluorescent lamps
While highly energy efficient, it is unlikely that consumers will replace their MR16 lamps with CFL luminaires. CFLs can provide sufficient light output; however they are not considered sufficiently aesthetically pleasing to be a mainstream contender.
Solid state lighting
With its inherent qualities of energy efficiency, longevity and adaptability, the most likely replacement option is solid state lighting – or LEDs. Manufacturers around the world, assisted in many cases by their national governments, are pouring enormous resources into this technology. As a consequence LEDs are developing rapidly and prices are coming down.
LED retrofit lamps
Retrofitting the 50W halogen lamp with a ‘slip-in’ LED equivalent is not recommended, at least today. Currently available LED retrofits will not provide equivalent illuminance, colour and beam angle. They may provide one of these, but not all, and generally they are not cheap.
SSL Quality Scheme
Another option is to replace the MR16 lamp and luminaire completely, or in a new installation install a new LED downlight. There are some excellent products available. However unfortunately there are many unsubstantiated product claims in the marketplace which threaten to give all LEDs a bad name. For this reason Lighting Council Australia has introduced a certification program for LED luminaires called the Solid State Lighting Quality Scheme.
A minimum set of critical parameters is reported by participating suppliers to accurately reflect the performance of their products. Scheme participants provide test reports or other evidence verifying their claims. Lighting Council Australia registers the product on a database on its website (www.lightingcouncil.com.au) and authorises use of a label indicating conformance to the parameters.
The critical parameters appearing on the SSL Quality Scheme Label are:
- luminaire efficacy (energy efficiency of the entire fitting)
- light output of the luminaire
- measured input power
- test voltage
- correlated colour temperature
- colour rendering index
SSL Quality Scheme Label
The heart of the SSL Quality Scheme is a label. When Scheme requirements have been met Lighting Council Australia issues a label for a specific light fitting containing LEDs or a family of LED fittings.
