What is the difference between metal halide and LED lights?

Metal halide bulbs contain metals that are evaporated into inert gas within the glass casing while LEDs are a solid state semiconductor technology. Both technologies produce a very high quality light. LEDs tend to last much longer and are a more energy efficient and less maintenance intensive technology.

What are metal halide lights used for?

Metal-halide lamps are used for general lighting purposes both indoors and outdoors, such as commercial, industrial, and public spaces, parking lots, sports arenas, factories, and retail stores, as well as residential security lighting; automotive and specialty applications are further fields of usage.

Can I replace metal halide with LED?

LED Offers Long Life, Lower Energy Costs, Instant On and Control Options. A 400 watt metal halide bulb can be replaced with a 200 watt LED. A 100 watt metal halide can be replaced with a 50 watt LED. Implementing an LED replacement program should result in a 50% reduction in annual energy use (kWh) costs.

Do metal halide lights need ballast?

Metal halide (MH) ballasts are required to start the lamp, regulate the lamp starting and lamp operating currents, and provide appropriate sustaining supply voltage. MH lamp voltage typically increases over time, and the ballast must continue to provide sufficient voltage to the lamp as it ages.

Which is better metal halide or high pressure sodium?

Metal halide is much less efficient than high pressure sodium–MH produces much less light per watt; MH produces more glare due to the blue light component and increases adaptation time; MH more effectively shuts off melatonin production which can trigger tumor growth; MH contains more mercury within the bulbs; MH …

Can you put a regular bulb in a metal halide fixture?

Like fluorescent lights, metal halides require a ballast to provide high starting voltages and to regulate current inside the bulb during operation. This is why a metal halide bulb will not work in a standard household lighting fixture — aside from the fact that the larger E39 base will not fit.

How much does it cost to run a metal halide light?

At an average cost of 0.09 cents per kilowatt, a system of 1,000 400-watt Metal Halide fixtures costs $41.22 per hour. If the fixtures run an average of 730 hours every month (730 x $41.22), it ends up costing $30,090.60 every month or $30.09 per month in energy per fixture.

Do metal halide bulbs require ballast?

Metal halide (MH) ballasts are required to start the lamp, regulate the lamp starting and lamp operating currents, and provide appropriate sustaining supply voltage. Regulating lamp current and power: The ballast regulates the lamp operating current flowing through the lamp after the lamp has been started.