When it comes to lighting your home, the options have never been better – or more confusing! Whether you’re renovating, upgrading tired fittings, or building new, you’ll quickly find yourself comparing halogen, LED, and smart lighting.
To make things easier, here’s a simple, expert-backed breakdown of what’s worth installing in 2026 – and why.
Halogen Lighting: Familiar, Warm... and Fading Out
Halogens have been a popular choice for years because they produce warm, crisp light. However, they’re rapidly being phased out in New Zealand due to their inefficiency.
According to Consumer NZ, halogens use significantly more energy than LED alternatives, which is why most homeowners eventually choose to replace them.
PROS
- Warm, clean light
- Low upfront cost
- Widely used in older homes
CONS
- Extremely inefficient compared to LEDs
- Costly to run long-term
- Short lifespan
- Run hot and aren’t ideal around insulation
- Being phased out nationwide
Do you still have halogens? An LED upgrade will almost always save you money on power and maintenance – and make your home safer in the process.
If you’d like to know what issues we commonly find with older lighting setups, check out our electrical safety tips HERE
LED Lighting: Efficient, Affordable, and Here to Stay
LEDs are now the standard for New Zealand homes. They’re relicable, versatile, and ideal for almost every room. Additionally EECA highlights LEDs as one of the simplest ways to reduce power use at home.
PROS
- Up to 85% more energy-efficient than halogens
- Long lifespan – often 30,000+ hours
- Cool to the touch (safer and insulation-friendly)
- Available in warm, cool, and daylight tones
- Works perfectly with dimmers (when installed correctly)
- Excellent long-term value
CONS
- Higher upfront cost than halogens
- Quality can vary – cheaper LEDs can flicker or produce harsh light
For most homes, quality LED lighting is the sweet spot: efficient, affordable, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor areas.
If you want help choosing the right layout, we provide full lighting and home design support. Get in touch HERE
Smart Lighting: Flexible, Fun and Highly Customisable
Smart lighting is one of the biggest trends we’re seeing in new builds and renos – but it’s not always clear what you’ll actually get for your money.
Smart lights connect to your phone, voice assistance, or home automation system. They’re popular with homeowners who want flexibility without rewiring the whole house. Smart lighting offers more control than standard fittings, and it can completely change the feel of your home!
PROS
- Phone or voice-controlled
- Adjust colour and brightness
- Create schedules and timers
- Useful for home security
- Great for ambience
CONS
- Higher upfront cost
- May require a hub or strong WiFi
- Works best with reputable brands
Smart lighting works best in living areas, bedrooms, outdoor entertaining spaces, feature lighting, homes where convenience and ambience matter. For kitchens, bathrooms, laundires and hallways? Standards LED downlights are usually all you need.
So... What's Worth Installing in 2026?
Here’s the quick answer:
Best all-round choice: LED Lighting. Efficient, affordable, long-lasting – and perfect for most New Zealand homes.
Best for lifestyle and convenience: Smart Lighting. Great if you want ambience, automation, or home-wide smart control.
Worst Choice: Halogens. Outdated, inefficient, and steadily disappearing from New Zealand homes.
The Best Combo for Most Homes
The setup we recommend most often for Christchurch clients:
- Warm LED downlights in living areas and bedrooms
- Neutral white LEDs in kitchens, laundries, and garages
- Smart switches or smart bulbs in the main living spaces
- LED strip lighting for feature areas like kitchens and media rooms
- Outdoor LEDs for aths, decks and security
You get efficiency and flexibility – withouth blowing the budget.
Thinking About Upgrading Your Lighting?
Lighting has a huge impact on how your home looks and feels. If you’re planning a renovtion or simply want better lighting, we can help design and install a setup that fits your space and budget.
Learn more about our team HERE
Or check out our guide to EV charging, another popular upgrade for modern homes.
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