With utility bills on the rise, savvy homeowners are looking for simple ways to reduce their expenditure – and changing the kinds of lights you use in your property is just one option if you want to save some cash on your monthly electricity bills.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, lighting is responsible for approximately eight per cent of the average household’s energy costs. So, by changing your habits and investing in some new lights, you could see a noticeable reduction in the amount you’re spending on electricity.
Start with the bulbs
The easiest and quickest way to cut your electricity usage on lighting is to replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient models. There are many options on the market nowadays, but it is worth spending a little extra to buy the best-quality products that you can afford.
These tend to have a much longer life than traditional, incandescent bulbs and will use considerably less power to produce the same level of illumination.
For example, figures from Which? show that a 60 watt incandescent bulb can be replaced by an eight or 11 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and provide light of the same strength. Generally, CFL bulbs will use between 60 and 80 per cent less electricity than traditional products, making it well worth replacing them.
Another alternative for lower-output lights is LEDs, which use 90 per cent less power than incandescent bulbs and have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. These are among the most expensive bulbs on the market, but when you balance this out with the savings which you’ll make, they are an attractive choice.
Do you have dimmer switches?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many energy-saving light bulbs which are compatible with lights that have dimmer switches. This is something that you need to bear in mind when you’re changing the bulbs in your home.
However, you should stop and consider whether you actually use the dimmer function on your lights and whether it could, in fact, be better to replace the switch, thereby giving you the chance to install energy-efficient bulbs instead.
It’s always best to hire a qualified electrician to carry out work on your lighting system; if you’re not sure where you can find one in your area, use a website such as Rated People to get in touch with recommended professionals who work in your locality.
Make use of task lighting
There are several places in the home where you need brighter illumination than others. Over kitchen work surfaces, by bathroom mirrors and on a desk are just some examples of situations where you’ll need more light.
Rather than installing a powerful bulb in the main ceiling fitting, consider investing in task lights that can be positioned where you will need them. For instance, you can put spotlights under kitchen cabinets to provide bright downlights on to a worktop, or situate a spotlight directly above your bathroom mirror.
For desks and studies, tabletop lamps are ideal, as these can be moved to suit the work you are doing. There are many energy-efficient models on the market that will provide sufficient illumination whether you’re typing on the computer or reading a book. The best thing about all of these solutions is that, when you don’t need them, you can simply turn them off while leaving the main lamp on to light up the room.
