Low Energy Lightbulbs

Using low energy light bulbs is one of the quickest and easiest ways of reducing carbon footprints and of cashing in on the energy savings that follow. A low energy bulb uses 70-80% less electricity and so reduces the electricity bills and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with lighting by the same amount. Each bulb can save up to 170kg of CO₂ and around £45 over its lifetime. The average household could be saving around £390 over the lifetime of the bulbs by switching all their bulbs over to low energy equivalents. The range of bulb styles now available makes it possible for every lighting situation to be achievable with this greatly reduced energy output.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are now increasingly available such as the Econic 3W from Philips. Bayonet, screw, MR16 and GU10 fitting LED bulbs are readily available on the internet. These can reduce electricity costs by over 90% and have an amazingly long life of up to 50,000 hours - 25 years or more in typical domestic use.

What a difference a bulb makes

The humble low energy light bulb can make a big difference to CO₂ emissions and can also significantly cut electricity bills. As an example of the savings that can be made, Cleobury News, a newsagent in Cleobury Mortimer and the Royal Hill pub in Edgerley both made the switch to low energy bulbs in 2007.

They made some great savings which are outlined in the table below.

Cleobury Newsagent		Royal Hill Pub
Annual CO2 saving	0.67 tonnes		4 tonnes
% of total CO2 saved	20%		12%
Lifetime CO2 savings	3.34 tonnes		19 tonnes
Annual Cost savings	£94		£800
Payback period	14 months		7 months