Home Lighting Choices

Consumer Report – Choosing the Right Bulb
Report by Bill Whitley, Consumer NZ. June 2010

Uplights, downlights, pendants, fancy chandeliers? There's now an energy-efficient bulb to replace all of them

Recent research has shown that the average home has 30 light fittings but only 6 are fitted with energy-efficient bulbs. With Consumer NZ testing of energy-efficient bulbs proving their light output and longevity, there's good reason to fit out the whole house.

Lighting costs the average household $220 per year – about 12 percent of its electricity bill. Because lighting demand is higher during winter evenings, improving lighting efficiency reduces the demand on our electricity distribution infrastructure – and lowers your electricity bill.

Consumer NZ testing has shown that good CFLs are just as bright or even brighter than the incandescent bulbs they replace. The testing also showed that name-brand bulbs last very well when switched on and off frequently.

Although the spiral CFL has become the general-purpose replacement for the traditional incandescent bulb, there are many other shapes and sizes available. And it’s not all about CFLs: there’s an energy-efficient option for nearly every bulb in your house.

What types of bulbs are available?

Most energy-efficient lights fall into three categories: CFLs, halogens and LEDs.

CFLs save you 80 percent of a standard incandescent energy costs and they last for thousands of hours. They are available in dimmable versions and in different "whites" – including the “warm white” that’s similar to standard light bulbs. The look of a CFL bulb is no longer an issue, as there’s an increasing range of shapes, sizes and decorative bulbs around.

New-generation halogens save about 30 percent of the energy costs of standard incandescents and last about twice as long. New-generation halogens look almost identical to standard light bulbs, have no warm-up time and are compatible with dimmers. They provide the same light colour as standard bulbs and also come in specialty shapes so you can use them in your chandelier without losing the “sparkle”.

LEDs (light emitting diodes) are a much less common type of energy-efficient light. But they’re expensive. The most common use for LEDs is in low-level lighting for hallways and stairs. There seems little doubt that LED lights will become mainstream cost-effective products – but they’re not there yet.

More bulbs in more places

Places where the lights are switched often: Consumer NZ CFL switching test showed that good-quality CFLs can stand being switched on and off repeatedly over more than 8000 on-off cycles. That means good CFLs can be used almost anywhere standard incandescent bulbs are used. Because they are so efficient, you’ll get your biggest savings by using them in areas where lights are left on the longest.

Lights with dimmers: There are two energy-efficient options here: Dimmable CFLs will save you around 80 percent of a standard incandescent bulb’s energy costs and they last as long as other CFLs. However, they’re still pricey at around $20 each. New-generation dimmable halogens give a 30 percent energy saving, last twice as long as a conventional bulb and cost about $2 each.

Downlights: Consumer NZ’s heat-loss test showed that standard incandescent bulbs in recessed downlight fittings waste a considerable amount of energy, because they let warm air from the living room rise into the roof space. However, reflector bulbs reduce this waste – and they also come in energy-efficient options. CFL reflector bulbs will save you about 80 percent of a standard bulb’s energy costs; halogen reflector bulbs will save you about 30 percent.

Halogen spotlights: Infra-red coated (IRC) halogen reflector bulbs are more efficient as spotlights – and they’re dimmable. They look identical to the less-efficient spot lights but you use a 35W halogen reflector spotlight to replace a standard 50W spotlight.

Exposed bulbs: You don’t like the look of a spiral CFL? Covered CFLs are available that give a more traditional look. Alternatively, new-generation halogen bulbs look the same as traditional bulbs and last twice as long.

Decorative bulbs: Energy-efficient bulbs also come in special shapes (such as candles) and smaller sizes (for use in chandeliers and other decorative fittings).

 Consumer NZ says

• Take advantage of the increasing range of energy-saving bulbs on the market and fit-out as much of your home as possible. They save you money and reduce peak loads on the electricity system.

• As a general rule, replace as many lights as you can with CFLs. These bulbs save you the most money.

• New-generation halogen lights look just like standard light bulbs and can be used anywhere a standard bulb fits – including dimmers.

• If you’ve got halogen spotlights, choose the efficient infra-red coated bulbs. They look the same but use less energy.

 R vs PAR

Reflector bulbs come in mysterious sizes. In the R-series (which has names like R80 and R63) the number is the diameter of the bulb in millimetres. In the PAR series (such as PAR38), the number is the diameter of the bulb in eighths of an inch. So a PAR 38 is 38x1/8ths of an inch – 121mm (or 4?”). Both types are available in CFL and halogen versions.

Where to buy energy-efficient bulbs

For everyday spiral and other common CFL shapes look in your supermarket first. Hardware chains will have a wider range of the more specialised styles but for that even harder-to-get bulb try the specialist lighting shops.