Running a modern home requires more than just an eye for decor and a taste for delectable cuisine. It also requires a keen handle on the daily costs that homes can clock up. That is why electricity bills are of such a major concern, and home lighting costs account for a major share of that expense.

With this in mind, it is easy to understand why there is such a range of cost efficient lights and lamps on the market, many of which provide the ideal solution to home owners who want low cost but high quality. The range of floor lamps for any home is vast, most of which can easily accommodate the energy efficient bulbs that are available today. It is the same for wall lights, either for the interior or exterior of the home, which can complement any decor that may be in place. Efficiency, however, dictates an investment in something different, such as halogen bulbs.

There is a tendency to think that the most cost efficient lamp is the cheapest in price, but this is not necessarily true. The fact is that the purchase price is only the initial cost, but the true cost of a lamp is calculated over its lifetime with the number of bulbs and amount of electricity it has used. In this respect, the cost can actually be staggeringly high.

True cost efficiency, therefore, is attained in the long term and involves longer lasting bulbs that use up a smaller amount of electricity. While there are plenty of bulbs on the market that achieve these two factors, design and size actually reduces the amount of options for a floor lamp. However, the emergence of halogen lamps means that it is possible to get greater efficiency in even small bulbs.

The technology involved in halogen lamps revolves around the fact that a halogen gas, usually from iodine, reacts with a tungsten filament in such a way as to create a brighter, cleaner light. Because of this, the actual amount of electricity used can be reduced, with savings estimated to be between 15 and 40 percent depending on the specific light used. This not only means that cost is lower, but the life of the filament itself is increased to almost four times the life of a regular incandescent light bulb.

With such an impressive luminous efficiency, these lights are fast becoming the preferred option for floor and table lamps, under which specific activities normally requiring an intense concentration of sight take place.

This means that good quality light is needed, and the best quality comes from halogen lamps. They are also equally effective on walls, not only as a spotlight but as part of the more contemporary designs, with chrome, brass or stainless steel arms.

The only downside, however, is the high temperatures that these bulbs reach, meaning that extra care is needed to ensure nothing flammable is near to them. It is also advisable not to use halogen lights where the light is reflected back off a wall or ceiling, as the extreme heat can cause blackening to the surfaces and be, in themselves, rather hazardous.

The particular attributes of halogen bulbs means that the designs of lamps, whether they are for the wall, floor or the table, can be quite adventurous. The fact that less voltage is used up means that more than one bulb is often applied to the design, with a typical halogen floor lamps will feature more than one arm. For example, Mother and Child lamps offer both larger lights to illuminate a room, and a smaller spot lamp with which to read or sew. Since this particular style serves two specific functions, they are rapidly growing in popularity.

Whether the specific lighting required is for a floor or table lamp in a study or living room, or is for wall lights for the hallway or even home exterior, there is an energy and cost efficient option available. The use of halogen lamps is highly effective, and there can be no surprise that they are becoming a favourite amongst home owners.

After all, as far as home lighting goes, it is not just a case of keeping the home fires burning to make everyone welcome. Lights can provide just as much warmth in that respect.