Light

Should I still replace my halogen and energy-saving lamps?

Short answer

Often yes. LEDs give much more light per watt, and old halogen spots with a transformer can keep drawing power when switched off.

Explanation

Since 1 September 2021 stricter European requirements apply to light sources. Many old types disappeared from the shops as a result. Halogen lighting on a transformer can have standby consumption if the switch sits after the transformer.

Rules of thumb

• LED lamps already reached 80 to 140 lumens per watt in 2015. [SW-S03]
• Halogen with a transformer: fit a switch between socket and transformer, or replace with LED. [SW-S55]

Pitfalls

• Do not put energy-saving lamps in household waste; take them to a collection point. [SW-S55]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

halogeen spaarlamp led transformator

Read also

• How many lumens replace an old incandescent bulb?
• How much power do devices use on standby?

Sources

1. SW-S01 Verordening (EU) 2019/2020 — ecologisch ontwerp lichtbronnen — Europese Commissie (EUR-Lex) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
2. SW-S03 Light sources — product list page — Europese Commissie, Energy Efficient Products (Reference date 2026-09-27)
3. SW-S55 Voorkom sluipverbruik — Milieu Centraal (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.