Dispose of CFL bulbs correctly

If there are no CFL disposal facilities in your area, the dead bulb should be disposed of in the same way as any other light bulb i.e. wrap it in newspaper and dispose with your household rubbish.

Maximise Natural Sunlight

Maximise natural light in your home by using light-coloured walls and other surfaces, and by pulling back curtains and blinds so they're not blocking daylight.

Turn Lights Off

The simplest way to save energy is to turn off lights when you're not using them.

Use light to create a warm feeling

Light common areas with warm white colour to give a warm comfortable feel to the space.

Use CFLs in high-use areas

Use CFLs in light fittings that are turned on for more than 15 minutes at a time or several hours per day to maximise energy savings.

More light is not necessarily better

Remember that more light is not necessarily better. The quality and colour of the light as well as the design are important in achieving the right lighting solution.

Replace lights to save

Replace incandescent lamps with CFLs or new generation halogen bulbs to save energy and money.

Use low watt lamps in bedrooms

Use a lower wattage lamp over bed heads for night reading and switch off the background room lights. This will create more contrast and save you energy.

Follow instructions

Only install light fittings and bulbs in accordance with supplier and manufacturer recommendations.

Light high precision areas with cool white

Light high precision areas such as workshops with cool white colours to increase eye sensitivity and reaction time.

Clean lamp surfaces last longer

Don't touch the surface of a quartz halogen lamp with bare fingers. If you do, carefully clean the quartz surface with a gentle solvent such as alcohol to avoid weak spots that often lead to early lamp failure.

Light high precision areas with cool colours

Light high precision areas such as workshops with cool white colours to increase eye sensitivity and reaction time.

Quality, colour and design are key

Remember that more light is not necessarily better. The quality and colour of the light as well as the design are important in achieving the right lighting solution.

Achieve the right solution with quality and colour of light

Remember that more light is not necessarily better. The quality and colour of the light as well as the design are important in achieving the right lighting solution.

Follow manufacturer instruction

Only install light fittings and bulbs in accordance with supplier and manufacturer recommendations.

Keep halogen lamp surfaces clean

Don't touch the surface of a quartz halogen lamp with bare fingers. If you do, carefully clean the quartz surface with a gentle solvent such as alcohol to avoid weak spots that often lead to early lamp failure.

Tailor the lighting to the task required

Different tasks require different levels of lighting. Use specific task lighting in areas where this is needed rather than overlighting the entire room.

Install task lights

Reduce your overall energy use by installing task lights where needed and reduce ambient light elsewhere.

Light wall colours

Consider light wall colours to minimise the need for artificial lighting.

Switch lamps on separately

When using two or more lamps in a luminaire, allow each lamp to be switched on separately. This way you'll only use as much light as needed.

Create precise beam angles

Use lamps with precise beam angles outdoors to control the spill of light.

Install solar tube lighting

Install solar tube-type lighting in walk-in-wardrobes and toilets, where natural light can easily and effectively simulate artificial lighting.

Skylights increase natural light

Skylights and solar tube-type fittings can increase natural light without glare.

Talk to experts

Talk to a lighting designer or landscape architect as well as an electrician when planning your outdoor lighting project. They will help enhance your landscape beauty, add drama and control spill light and glare.

Provide many power sockets around rooms

When designing your own house, provide more power sockets around the rooms for task lighting such as table or floor lamps.

Conveniently locate switches

In large rooms, provide switches at convenient locations. This way, occupants will be more inclined to switch lights off when not required.

Avoid lights that compromise insulation

Recessed ceiling lights should be avoided anywhere that their use may compromise the home's insulation envelope and let heat escape.

Install task lights to reduce energy use

Reduce your overall energy use by installing task lights where needed and reduce ambient light elsewhere.

Use light wall colours

Consider light wall colours to minimise the need for artificial lighting.

Provide switches at convenient locations

In large rooms, provide switches at convenient locations. This way, occupants will be more inclined to switch lights off when not required.

Provide many switches in large rooms

In large rooms, provide switches at convenient locations. This way, occupants will be more inclined to switch lights off when not required.

Single lights can create a better mood

A single ‘warm white' suspended light fitting over the dining table will set the mood better than using many recessed lights.

Direct external lighting

Direct all external lighting onto a surface and minimise spill light into the sky.

Set security lights to sensors

Set security lights on movement sensors to conserve energy and deter intruders.

Minimise spill light into the sky

Direct all external lighting onto a surface and minimise spill light into the sky.

Use beam angles outdoors

Use lamps with precise beam angles outdoors to control the spill of light.

Install occupancy sensors

Install occupancy sensors as a cheap and effective way to save energy.

Use lamps to light work desks

Use table lamps or task lighting to light work desks rather than lighting the entire room.

Integrate sensors and office lighting

Integrate day light sensors and dimming control into office lighting to reduce your power bill.

Light high precision areas with cool colour temperatures

Light high precision areas such as workshops with cool white colours to increase eye sensitivity and reaction time.

Use smart control systems in large car parks

In large car parks, use a smart lighting control system to maximise energy efficiency.

Use light wall colours

Consider light wall colours to minimise the need for artificial lighting.

Provide switches at convenient locations

In large rooms, provide switches at convenient locations. This way, occupants will be more inclined to switch lights off when not required.

Allow each lamp to be switched on separately

When using two or more lamps in a luminaire, allow each lamp to be switched on separately. This way only as much light as is needed will be used.

Replace all lamps at once

Consider group relamping. Fluorescent lamps can lose 20%-30% of their light output over their service life. Many lighting experts recommend replacing all the lamps in a lighting system at once. This saves labour, keeps illumination high, and avoids stressing any ballast with dying lamps.

Reduce the number of lamps

Selectively reduce the number of lamps in over-lit areas.

Integrate sensors into offices to reduce power bills

Integrate day light sensors and dimming controls into office lighting to reduce the power bill.

Label switches for cleaners

In large offices, label a switch that provides a uniform level of lighting for cleaners (cleaning requires less light than that for computer and desk-type work).