Function

• Halogen lighting works similar to standard incandescent light—also known as “standard type A bulbs.” These bulbs send an electrical current into the light, which flows to the tungsten filament. When electricity hits the tungsten filament, it lights up. Halogen lighting provides a slight difference in that it has a gas filling and coating on the inside—both of which serve to reflect heat inward.
  
  

History

• The basis of halogen lighting was introduced with the invention of the incandescent bulb. The first incandescent bulb made an appearance in 1820 and featured a carbon filament. In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first bulb that featured a tungsten filament, and it remained largely unchanged through the decades. However, it spawned a few types of more efficient lighting, such as halogen lighting.
  
  

Energy Efficiency

• Although halogen lighting is not as efficient as fluorescent lighting, it is 25 to 35 percent more efficient than standard incandescent lighting, which are the least energy-efficient type of bulbs, wasting up to 80 percent of their energy in the form of heat. Halogen lighting lasts longer because of its coating and gas filling, which allow it to recycle heat more efficiently.
  
  

Longevity

• Halogen lamps are designed to last longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Generally, halogen lighting lasts up to 2,000 to 4,000 hours, which is quite a bit longer than standard incandescent bulbs, which last from 750 to 2,500 hours.
  
  

Cost

• Halogen lighting offers a cheaper lighting solution compared with traditional lighting. Since it recycles heat better than traditional lighting—making it last longer and be more energy efficient—it has a low cost to maintain. Although the initial purchase cost is more, the low cost of maintaining the light will ultimately lead to it being far cheaper over time than traditional lighting.