Halogen Lamps: A Bright Idea?

If you’ve shopped for a lamp lately, you know that halogen--which has been in use in Europe for years--is now hot in the United States. Like regular incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs have a tungsten filament. But halogen bulbs also include a halogen gas, which triples the life of the bulb.

Because halogen bulbs get hotter than incandescent bulbs, they are potentially a greater fire hazard, says a spokeswoman for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent testing laboratory.

Are halogen lights worth the extra cost--sometimes three times more than a non-halogen model? Do halogen lamps provide better light? Here are two views.

Dr. Alan L. Lewis, professor of optometry, State University of New York College of Optometry

“The primary disadvantage (of halogen) is cost. It tends to be a higher quality lamp and needs to be made with quartz glass, which is more expensive than the lime glass used in regular light bulbs. But you get a lamp that is four or five times longer lasting and gives more light per watt. You wind up saving quite a bit (in electric bills). The light itself isn’t much different. It gives a whiter light (than standard incandescent). I recommend them simply for cost savings anywhere you use a standard incandescent, as long as it’s not going to get broken. But you don’t necessarily see any better with it.”

Dr. Sidney Lerman, professor of ophthalmology, New York Medical College

“Halogen lights provide good lighting and probably, if used sensibly, they are fine. To play it safe, you’re better off with simple (regular) incandescent lights. If you do decide to use halogen, these bulbs can bleach paintings and furniture and certain types of wood. Be aware if you sit and look at them, you may be exposed to ultraviolet radiation that may cause problems. They can cause damage, especially if someone is on photosensitive drugs like tetracycline. I use halogen to illuminate paintings, but I put a filter over the lamp. “