PAR Halogen Lamps

Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) lamps, typically used as spotlights or floodlights inside or outside homes, are also available with halogen technology to operate at 120 volts.  A standard 150-W incandescent spotlight can be replaced with a lower wattage halogen lamp, reducing electricity consumption by up to 40 percent.  Smaller halogen PAR lamps are available for use with transformers to operate at 12 volts.  These low-voltage halogen lamps are small, lightweight and provide precise control of the light beam, which makes them useful for aiming light at specific areas.  PAR lamps are dimmable, so they are often used in track lighting to create pools of light in a room, such as above a dining table.  Low-voltage halogen lamps are similar in efficiency to other halogen PAR lamps.  They tend to have a bulb life of around 2,000 hours.