Halogen Work Light vs Fluorescent Work Light

A halogen work light is more closely related to a traditional incandescent work light than a fluorescent work light. Halogen lights use slightly cheaper bulbs with shorter lifespans and inferior energy efficiency. Both types of lights have costs, benefits, and unique safety hazards. Because halogen work lights have filaments but not ballasts, they are easier to troubleshoot than fluorescent work lights.

Halogen Work Lights

A halogen lamp resembles a bulb within a bulb. The inner bulb is a tungsten filament contained in a quartz envelope. The inner bulb is very small; if it were made from glass it would melt due to the heat from the filament. The outer bulb is a large glass shell. As a current runs through the filament, electrical resistance causes the filament to become white-hot. In a traditional incandescent bulb, tiny particles of tungsten burn off and are deposited on the outside of the bulb as soot. Eventually the filament weakens and breaks. However, in a halogen bulb, the inner quartz envelope contains halogen gas. This gas combines with burnt-off tungsten particles to redeposit them on the filament, extending the filament’s life. Because there is no soot build-up, halogen work lights will not dim over time. They are also 10 to 20 percent more energy efficient. However, the more complicated design makes them more expensive. A 75 watt incandescent bulb costs less than $1, produces 1170 lumens of light, and lasts about 750 hours. A comparable halogen bulb costs $4, produces 1300 lumens with the same energy, and will last 2000-2500 hours. The halogen bulb’s filament burns extremely bright, so the work lights will be built with shading and reflectors. A halogen work light will continue to operate if the outer bulb breaks but this could be a hazard. If moisture builds up on the hot inner quartz bulb, uneven cooling will cause it to shatter and explode.

Fluorescent Work Lights

A fluorescent work light is far more efficient than a halogen or incandescent one. Compact fluorescent bulbs produce 1170 lumens using only 20 watts, and will last for at least 7500 hours. Because fluorescent bulbs use relatively less energy than halogen bulbs, you can get a much brighter hand held fluorescent work light with the same battery power. Unfortunately, neither technology is as battery-friendly as LED work lights. Replacing the $10 bulbs is more expensive compared to halogen work lights. Fluorescent lamps require a ballast, which contains a starter. The starter delivers a high-voltage charge to ionize the gas when you flip the switch. For this reason, fluorescent work lights consume energy most intensively when they are “warming up”. If the starter fails you must replace the whole assembly. Halogen work lights, on the other hand, have less parts prone to failure. If a fluorescent bulb shatters, follow proper cleaning techniques to avoid aerosolizing mercury dust. Shut off the air handler and open a window. Place large shards in a sealed container. Clean up the debris using a wet rag on hard surfaces or sticky duct tape on carpets.