Energy efficient light bulbs and light fittings - save loads of energy and money by installing indoors and out
Low energy light bulbs are now just as good as old-style bulbs, and each one can save you up to £60 on electricity bills over its lifetime. And this is for an up-front cost that averages at about £3 for each low-energy bulb. You won't find a better investment return anywhere. Plus you will be doing a lot to fight Climate Change. Each low energy bulb can save up to a quarter of a tonne of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
So why isn't everyone doing it? Sadly too many of us are creatures of habit, and just carry on buying the same bad bulbs we always have. But now with the wide range on offer, and recent developments which have made low energy bulbs perform as well as old-style bulbs, it makes sense to change all your bulbs straight away
What should I do now?
Click here to read our tips for changing to low energy bulbs
The main benefits:
- They save loads of money: each bulb can save up to £7 a year in electricity costs according to the Energy Saving Trust. Based on a cost from around £3 per bulb, this means you will get a return on your investment of over 200% in your first full year, and over 2,000% over the lifetime of the bulb. Try finding a savings account that gives you that kind of return.
- They help save the planet: if you replace 10 old-style bulbs in your house that you use for 3 hours a day with low energy bulbs, you will save around a quarter tonne of carbon dioxide each year. Each bulb on its own will save up to quarter of a tonne over its lifetime. Just this small action has a big impact
- They save you time and effort: because they last 10 times longer than normal bulbs, you don't have to get the ladder out so often to change bulbs that have blown.
Outdoor lighting - save money and improve security
Just a few outdoor lights left on each night can double your household lighting bill and your greenhouse gas emissions.
Click here to read our guide to saving energy and improving security with your outdoor lighting
Top Lighting Tips
- Look for the energy saving recommended logo, and an EU energy label rating of A or B on your bulbs
- If you want to install a few bulbs just to try them out first, focus on the lights that you use the most, e.g. in the hall or landing or children's rooms
- Modern dimmer controls reduce greenhouse gas emissions as they reduce light output. They also extend a bulb's life. These controls can now also be used with some low energy bulbs, but check the label first
- Avoid installing halogen lamps if possible. These are not low energy lamps. Low voltage halogen lamps each generates a kilogram of CO2 every 15hrs, about the same as an ordinary 60 watt bulb. Halogens are not easily replaced by low energy alternatives, so installing them locks you in to high lighting costs. However, you can now buy some lower energy halogen bulbs; they are still not great, but better than
Follow this link to read some low energy lighting facts, and explode some low energy lighting myths
