Efficient Lighting

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Lighting is a major use of energy in the home and in business. Energy saving light bulbs have always been a good idea, both financially and for the environment. They use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light.

Technology's moved on a lot since energy efficient light bulbs were first invented, and so has the way they look. In fact, whatever types of bulbs you use to light your home, there are sure to be stylish energy saving equivalents. The perception of an energy saving bulb being bulky and oddly shaped giving off a cold, harsh light is no longer true.

You can now buy low energy light fittings which will only take low energy lightbulbs. These use a ballast or transformer fitted into the base of the light fitting. It controls the supply of electricity to the bulb, allowing for a small surge of power for a millisecond to light the bulb and then reducing the electricity flow to a very low level.

Low energy fittings require a pin based energy saving bulb. This is a different fitting to a conventional bulb but will ensure that the bulbs you buy in future will always save energy, money and the environment.

What Are The Benefits?

Depending on how long your lights are in use every day, just one energy saving light bulb could save you on average around £3 a year, and up to £6 for brighter bulbs or those used for more hours a day. And because it will last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb, it could save you around £45 before it needs replacing.

Fit all the lights in your house with energy saving bulbs and you could save around £50 a year and £675 over the lifetime of all of the bulbs.

Energy saving light bulbs use a fifth to a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light. So where you'd normally use a 60W bulb, you'll only need a 13-18W energy saving recommended equivalent.