Direct all external lighting onto a surface and minimise spill light into the sky.
The different choices of energy efficient bulbs available on the market today cost far less to run than older incandescent bulbs and halogens, while they deliver equal or better light output. Further more, there is a wide variety to choose from, but finding the right light is not a simple case of looking at the packaging for its energy savings. It pays to think about which bulbs fit which light fittings, and how best to light your home.
Types of efficient bulbs
While some types of bulbs are clearly more energy efficient than others, it's not a simple case of only using one type of lighting and expecting it to do different things. One type of bulb may be ideal for working in your kitchen, while it will deliver the completely wrong mood for your living spaces.
Lighting requirements room-by-room
Different parts of your home require different lighting. Fortunately, there is an energy efficient replacement bulb for almost every old-style bulb out there – from bedside lamps, outdoor floodlights and ceiling downlights through to the candle bulbs in chandeliers.
The right lights for fittings and lamps
There are many types of light fittings, most of which have been designed to use the traditional incandescent light bulb. However it’s now easy to use new energy efficient bulbs to replace them - and the number of new light fittings designed around energy efficient bulbs and lamps is growing by the day.