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There’s a shift happening.
Traditional incandescent bulbs are being phased out not only in Adelaide, but right across Australia due to their high inefficiency compared to sustainable lighting. As much as 90% of the energy they use is given off as heat. That’s a huge waste!
To add to people’s concerns, modern building trends are influencing builders to install more light fittings in each room and brighten our larger homes. As lighting often consumes around 15% of a household’s electricity budget, people are turning to sustainable lighting design to help them find a more efficient way. Energy efficient lighting could as much as halve your household lighting costs in the long run.
New energy efficient lighting installation could help you or your business save money on your electricity bills as well as dramatically cutting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you produce. If that seems like a plan with no drawbacks, the question to ask is, which option should I go for?
What are my sustainable lighting options?
There are three commonly used energy efficient lighting types that you can find in most hardware or home improvement stores. Halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) all have different benefits and uses, so it’s important to do your research. Make sure you’re switching to the most suitable sustainable lighting choice for your circumstances. Check out some of the differences below:
Halogen Incandescents:
Halogen incandescents look similar to traditional bulbs, but last longer and are 30% more efficient. They’re also dimmable, start up instantly, and distribute light in a similar way to what you would be used to. They burn hot with an intense white glare, so they need to be situated in a place that won’t be in your direct line of sight. Think accent lighting, under cabinets, or floodlights outside.
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
CFLs are even more efficient than halogen incandescent bulbs, saving around 75% of the energy of a traditional light. Early issues like time to warm up, buzzing noises, flickering, and high costs, have been rectified in the newer versions. Unfortunately, they may still not work with dimmers or three-way switches, and most contain at least some mercury. While they are known for having a long life, it can be shortened by the cold or by being operated in short spurts, so CFLs may not be the ideal choice for rooms where you switch the light on and off often for short periods of time.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
The quality of LEDs is extremely good. They can last up to 50 000 hours (compared to 2 700 for an average CFL), are energy efficient, work with dimmers, and are great in cold weather. The light quality is often warmer and more pleasant than other sustainable light bulbs as well. However, they are generally a lot more expensive individually than other options. Prices should come down naturally over the new few years as they become the more popular choice, but for now, installing LEDs might be best in places that are high-use or difficult to change, like high ceilings or porch lights.
Other alternatives and tips
Other than making the best use of natural light, there are a few more energy efficient lighting options you can use to cut down your energy bill.
Outdoor Lighting
Consider using solar power to light your garden and walkways. You can use it in conjunction with regular lighting to make sure any unsafe areas are kept well-lit, but highlights and special features could be powered using energy stored from the sun.
(Installing solar power as part of your home’s energy plan is another way to cut down energy costs, not only on lighting, but across all your electrical needs. Take a look at our Solar page for more information.)
While you can purchase relatively cheap solar lights from your favourite hardware store, you can also consider LED lights as an energy efficient and longer lasting option. Certainly in areas where you want to make sure people can walk safely in the dark, you should consider installing LED outdoor lighting options, like floodlights.
Holiday Lights
LED holiday lights are a good way to have the Christmas or party decorations you want at a fraction of the electricity cost. They are also safer and less likely to combust than traditional lights, sturdier, longer lasting, and won’t overload your wall socket. Because LEDs are much more efficient than traditional lights, you can attach a larger number of lights to the one power point.
Sustainable and energy efficient lighting installation has the potential to make a big impact on your electricity bills. Make sure you choose the right options for your home or business to start making a difference.
If you’d like to talk to a qualified electrician about installing different light fittings in your home or business, give the Adelaide electricians at TPR Electrical a call. We can assist you with redesigning your lighting for optimal efficiency, look at solar power options, and make sure you have the most cost effective solution for your needs.