Lighting accounts for around 10 to 20% of the electricity bill in a typical home. Although the good news is that where an effort has been made to replace old-fashioned lighting with more energy efficient products, the proportion, and the overall electricity bill, will be lower.

Goodbye incandescent lightbulbs

Incandescent (or filament) lightbulbs are very inefficient users of electricity, converting very little of the electricity they use into light. Most of it is wasted as heat, which tends to shorten the life of light fittings and shades, and presents a fire risk should a bulb in use come into contact with a variety of surfaces.

Traditional Incandescent Bulbs

Dimmable?
Lasts over:	1000 Hours (7 months*)
Light quality:
Instantly bright?
Energy Saving:

Halogen Lightbulbs

Dimmable?
Lasts over:	1500 Hours (11 months*)
Light quality:
Instantly bright?
Energy Saving:	Up to 30% less

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)

Dimmable?
Lasts over:	10000 hours (6 years*)
Light quality:
Instantly bright?
Energy Saving:	Up to 80% less

LED Lightbulbs

Dimmable?
Lasts over:	25000 Hours (15 years*)
Light quality:
Instantly bright?
Energy Saving:	Up to 90% less

*Based on 4.5 hours daily usage

How can you save electricity on lighting?

Here are a few tips worth considering even if you are in rented accommodation:

• Install low energy bulbs of the correct light output. See our lighting calculator, and use the one to five ratio when replacing an old-fashioned bulb. i.e. if replacing a 100 watt bulb, a bulb of 20 watts is required.
• Avoid installing halogen lighting, especially the low voltage types which go in recessed fittings in ceilings and walls.
• Low energy (compact fluorescent) bulbs exist for virtually every situation and preference.
• Fluorescent tubes are energy efficient, and cast the safest light in kitchens.
• Use side lights with low energy bulbs installed in them if you are stuck with fixed halogen lights that are difficult to replace.
• Turn off lights if you are not using them for more than a few minutes, unless there is a risk of an accident.
• Obviously daylight is the best form of light so try to maximise it if you can - paint walls light shades, and position mirrors to reflect light into rooms.

Frequently asked questions about lighting

• Why should I replace my old incandescent light bulbs?
• Are Fluorescent lights energy efficient?
• Will installing Halogen lights save me money?
• What are low energy or compact fluorescent lightbulbs?
• What are LED lights?
• Lumens to Watts - how to choose light bulbs, brightness, colour and lifespan
• Can low energy lights be used with Dimmers?
• How should low energy lightbulbs be disposed of?
• Why haven't more people switched to low energy lightbulbs?