Low energy lighting became a bit of a buzz word in recent years, as the first wave of energy efficient light bulbs were released and homeowners began to switch onto the benefits of using these strange looking new light bulbs. The first wave of these lights tended to have some disadvantages. Firstly, they didn’t always fit the older model light fittings and could protrude over lampshades, being longer in size than traditional light bulbs. Secondly, their light tended to be dimmer than glass bulbs and thirdly, it took some time for these lights to fully reach power and illuminate, so the resulting appearance could be fairly dull and dismal.

However, consumer demand for ‘greener’ products was growing, alongside government legislation and the technologies for low energy lighting were developing all the time. Nowadays, these energy efficient light bulbs are more discreet, brighter and quicker to illuminate.

They also use significantly less energy, which is something of great importance in an environment of ever rising utility and electricity bills. Switching one traditional glass bulb for a lower energy bulb can save a household around £7 a year, per bulb switched, by some calculations. Multiplied over several lights, the cost saving can become significant.

Another advantage of these kinds of bulbs is that their long tubing design also makes them more resilient to being handled than the traditional rounded bulbs, which could become dangerous if they shattered in someone’s hand whilst being changed, or were disposed of incorrectly. Additionally, the old glass light bulbs become very hot – the newer models stay much cooler and there are new LED technologies that promise even greater energy saving and safety benefits.

One criticism of these newer light bulbs has been their cost and indeed they do tend to cost more than old fashioned glass bulbs. However, there are ways to save money on their purchase, such as buying in bulk and looking out for special offers. Most utility companies also offer them at a subsidised price and some will even send low energy light bulbs to households for free if they request it. The trick is to ask and see what’s available!

If you are looking to employ a low energy approach in your home, to save both carbon emissions and your utility costs, then consider installing a light dimmer and timer so that you can control how and when lights are on in the home and continue to keep wastage at a minimum. There are also utility companies that offer domestic energy usage trackers so that you can see where appliances and gadgets in the home are wasting electricity and take steps to resolve this. These can be very useful to have in the home and will help engage the family in your efforts too, as they begin to see the impact of switching light bulbs to low energy varieties and turning lights off around the house when they aren’t being used. You should see the cost savings fairly quickly and keep your house beautifully illuminated in the process!

There are a number of advantages to using the newer forms of low energy light, both in your home and at at work. These range from cost savings, to the knowledge that you’re doing your bit to prevent global warming and manage your carbon footprint as effectively as possible; something that more consumers than ever are interested in.

The cost benefits of low energy lighting

Primarily, the main attraction for consumers is the lower cost. Low energy lights use less power than traditional lights and illuminate themselves more effectively, so that energy isn’t wasted (for example, through heat loss). This leads to reduced utility bills and can make a real difference when applied to household lights over the course of a year.

Additionally, low energy light bulbs last for significantly longer than the old fashioned glass variety. This helps to counteract their higher initial cost, although it’s worth seeking out special deals and offers on low energy light bulbs and seeing whether your energy provider offers free or subsidised bills as part of its own consumer offer.

The safety angle

Low energy lighting is also safer to run, as the bulbs don’t get hot to to the touch as the old fashioned glass varieties used to. This is good in a house with children, or where lights are sited close to fabrics or other potentially flammable materials.

The range of lights available

There is a huge range now available on the market in a wide range of designs. There are modern and urban options with sleek finishings and use of muted tones and metallic finishes and traditional pendant lights based on coppers, Tiffany styled finishes, black wrought iron and French styling, amongst other looks and themes. These lights can be fitted to walls and ceilings and a number are even suitable for outdoor use. However, you must check specifically for outdoor lighting before using low energy lights out of the home – amongst other features, those models suitable for outdoor use will have greater insulation, stronger wiring and be marked as suitable for outdoor use.

Seeking out the right lighting

To find the right lighting, look for the blue symbols that mark their energy efficient status by the government. If you are moving into a new build property, you may find that a certain number of the existing fittings are already low energy, as this is now a requirement for building regulations.

Ideas for using low energy lights in your home

The trick is to think creatively and experiment with the positioning and level of lighting within your home. Good lighting can transform a living space entirely, whilst bad lighting can ruin a beautiful decorating scheme and remove the ambience of the home. Try strings of low energy or LED fairy lights to decorate a patio area and provide a soft glow. Use solar markers to light the driveway and provide guidance for cars at night. Try hanging a low energy wall light by a walkway or the front door, to provide assistance for those trying to find their door keys on a dark night! Indoors, look at modern tracker lights, funky tracker lights and activity based spotter lights to create the atmosphere you’re looking for.