Xenon Vs. Halogen Lighting

Xenon lights and halogen lights have countless practical applications. Each type of light bulb has advantages and disadvantages. Despite the many benefits linked with halogen light bulbs, when it comes to energy-efficiency, durability and rated life, xenon lighting has the edge over halogen lighting.

Features

Xenon light fixtures contain certain levels of xenon in their fill gases according to Directory M. Halogen light fixtures contain traces of a halogen, usually iodine, in their fill gases. Halogens are employed because they redeposit evaporated tungsten back onto the filament according to the Great Internet Light Bulb Book. The color of the light produced by xenon lights are warmer in appearance than the color of the light produced by halogen lights. According to Electronic Manufacturers, halogen lights provide a pure white light, start up instantly after being supplied with power and do not flicker.

Efficiency

While halogen lights are 10 to 20 percent more efficient than standard incandescent lights, xenon lights are even more efficient than halogen lights. According to XenonLightShid.com, xenon automobile headlight bulbs require 25 percent less power to operate and produce roughly 25 percent more light than halogen headlights. Utilizing dimmer switches on both types of lights greatly increases the efficiency of the bulb and increases the overall rated life of the bulb.

Applications

Xenon lights and halogen lights have a number of practical applications. Xenon lights as well as halogen lights are used in cabinet fixture lighting, desk lamps, backlighting, showcase lighting, cove lighting and picture lighting. They are both also commonly used in automobiles as headlights. Xenon headlights can be found in many luxury vehicles.

Lifespan

Both types of lights are rated to last considerably longer than traditional incandescent lights. Xenon light bulbs are rated to last for anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 hours through regular use, according to Directory M. The average life of a halogen light bulb is anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 hours according to the California Energy Commission.

Facts

Xenon headlights are more durable and less susceptible to damage from jarring than halogen headlights because they have no filament to break according to XenonLightsShid. Redepositing tungsten to a filament is referred to as the “halogen cycle,” the inside surface of a light bulb needs to be several hundred degrees F for the halogen cycle to take place. Halogen light bulbs can prematurely fail if they are handled too often while xenon light bulbs will not deteriorate with over-handling, according to Directory M.

References

• Directory M: 11 Frequently Asked Questions About Xenon Lighting
• XenonLightShid: Advantages of Xenon HID Lights
• Great Internet Light Bulb Book, Part 1: Incandescent including Halogen Light Bulbs
• The California Energy Commission: Lighting Efficiency Information
• Electronic Manufacturers: Halogen Light Bulbs