Market overview

Statistics

Lighting is a $75 billion business globally each year growing at an  estimated 8 to 12% per annum. It is estimated there are  approximatley 8 billion GLS between the US and Europe with 15% to 25%  connected to dimmer circuits.

• Global sales for low voltage halogen downlights is estimated to be 200 million units per annum generating revenues of USD $2 billion each year.
• Approximately 80 million low voltage halogen downlights are sold in North America.
• Approximately 20 million low voltage halogen downlights are sold annually in Australia alone with a growth rate 8.5% per annum (Ref: MEPS Report 2005/13).
• According to the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water and the Arts, 12V halogen downlights represent 57% of lighting fixture installations in new building construction in Australia.

Power and carbon consumption

• Halogen lights are inefficient: Consumer perception is that 12VAC is energy efficient yet halogen downlights delivers on average of only 10 lumens per Watt, requiring multiple high wattage lamps and contributing many millions of dollars in avoidable costs to households businesses and governments.
• Halogen downlights are responsible for an estimated 3 million tons of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere globally each year in Australia alone. The scale of this problem has alerted Australia, the USA and other nations to the need for legislation restricting their use.
• Consumer and industry awareness:The environmental message is getting through and informed consumers are making buying decisions that will reduce their carbon footprint. carbon emission legislation and offset opportunities are getting industry attention.

Dangers of halogen downlights

• Halogen downlights are known to be responsible for fires in excess of 180 residential and commercial buildings each year in Australia alone, endangering life and causing millions of dollars in damage, and thereby prompting restrictive regulations in Australia and overseas markets.

Read some of the articles related to safety and warnings on the use of traditional halogen lighting systems

Article - Minister urges safety check of installed downlights

Article - Minister reiterates warnings on downlight safety

Article - The danger of downlights