Small Steps to a brighter future
Autumn is in full swing now and the days are getting much shorter. Winter is around the corner and
we just don’t know what weather it is going to bring this time. Climate change is already affecting
the weather patterns in this country - that’s why we might get a huge amount of freezing snow one
year and rain and floods the next.
Bring some light into your life this month and really cut down on your energy use. It’s time to talk
about light bulbs!
Energy-saving light bulbs produce the same amount of light as standard ‘old fashioned’ bulbs but
use up to 80% less electricity. Replacing all your light bulbs could save £55 a year. Lighting accounts
for 7 per cent of a typical household’s energy bill.
Challenge
Actions: Let there be light!
Carbon dioxide
saved (Kg/year)
Bronze
Install 1 LED bulb to replace an old fashioned one
75
Silver
Install 5 LED bulbs to replace old fashioned ones
375
Gold
Install 10 LED bulbs to replace old fashioned ones
750
The new kids in town
LED (light emitting diode) lights come on instantly so no more peering about in the gloom waiting
for the bulb to warm up. They can be dimmed and you can get halogen replacements. They are
more expensive than other bulbs but they last much longer - about 30 times longer than an
incandescent bulb (30,000 hours). They pay for themselves within a year and half. They also come
in a range of light qualities and colour.
Where to change first
Start with one. Choose the room that is most used after dark – maybe the lounge or the kitchen.
Make a note of the current bulbs wattage so that you can buy an LED bulb with the equivalent
power and note the type of socket (bayonet or screw) and whether you need a dimmable bulbs. If
you have halogens spotlights in your kitchen, you will save a lot of energy if you switch to LEDs.
Once you get more confident, invest some more bulbs so you slowly build up to replacing them all.
Turning off the lights
As you were told as a child (and I am sure we have all told our own children), turn off the light in a
room when you leave it. Even if you are using low energy bulb and especially if you have old style
bulbs, the amount of energy you can save by turning off unnecessary lights is significant.
To find out more look at http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/energy-saving-light-bulbs-led-cfl
So be a bright spark and cut your lighting energy use by up to 80% today. One of the easiest ways
to save energy and money.