Lighting
In recent years there have been big developments in the availability of environmentally friendly lighting options. Even so, lighting is responsible for an average of 12% of total energy consumption in Australian households today.
It can be very easy to lower this figure by employing a few of our tips:
- Install compact fluorescent lights in places with the highest use. They might be more expensive, but they are rated to last much longer than their equivalent incandescent as well as saving a lot of power.
- Avoid halogen downlights; their concentrated field means you need to install many to achieve adequate lighting.
- Also on halogens, low voltage doesn't mean low energy use – they can often use far more energy.
- Think about appropriate lighting levels. Is it too bright or too dim?
- Remember a big part or reducing your impact is in behaviour. Do you have more lights on than you need?
- It's simple and boring, but switching off lights when you leave a room is effective and free.
- Open curtains and blinds during the day to maximise daylight through existing windows or consider installing energy efficiency skylights.
- Use a sensor light outside instead of leaving a light on when you go out at night.
To get a better idea of what all of the different technologies are and the best place to use them, read our Fact Sheet on lighting.
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Step by step instructions on how to replace energy-guzzling halogen downlights with efficient LED alternatives.
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For more information on downlights, see our House full of halogen article.
Compact fluorescent light globes (CFLs) use 80 percent less energy than a standard incandescent light globe - and last up to five times longer. Fitting them in your home or office will not only reduce your energy consumption, and hence your greenhouse gas emissions, but also mean a significant cut in electricity bills. However, there are some precautionary issues to consider.
CFLs are safe and easy to use, but unlike conventional globes they contain a small amount of mercury. Whilst this does not make them dangerous, it is both astute and environmentally responsible to take a few precautions when disposing of your old or broken globes.
Halogen downlights have become one of the most happening trends on the lighting market. But here are a few things the trend-setting crowd won't tell you:
Low voltage doesn't mean low energy use - watts are the measurement to look out for.
Standard halogen globes use 50 watts each, plus each globe is wired to a transformer in the ceiling space. Transformers use about 10 watts each, meaning each downlight generally uses about 60 watts in total. When you pair this with the fact that you need about six downlights to achieve the same light output as you get from one standard incandescent or compact fluorescent lamp, you can see the energy use starting to add up.
To put it simply: 6 x 50W halogen downlights + 10W transformer = 360 watts!
By comparison: 1 x 13W compact fluorescent lamp = just 13 watts!
Additionally, a great way to light up your house is through natural lighting. Natural light is free and can give your home a more pleasant feel. A good consideration is installing skylights: modern designs are very effective at providing evenly distributed light and will not have a significant effect on your thermal performance – they provide around 3 times the light of a conventional window. Skylights should only be installed if they are double glazed to protect against winter heat loss and externally shaded to stop heat gain in summer. It is also good if they can be opened to assist with ventilation in summer.
There are a number of alternative types of lights that you can install to replace your incandescents and halogens. Compact Fluorescents and LEDs are great for reducing your bills.
Compact Fluorescent Lights
Compact fluorescent lights are very energy efficient, which means they do not need much electricity to work. You can find varieties to fit any light socket, even light shades and speciality fixtures. Make sure you choose the right compact fluorescent lamp for the right use as there is now a lot of choice.
They come in a variety of wattages, shapes, sizes and light tones – warm/yellow to cool/white – in both bayonet and screw in fittings. If you prefer a warmer light (like the colour of the old types of light bulb), look on the packet for 2700K (Kelvin) or 3000K. They also come in a cooler white light rated at 4000K or 5000K. You don’t have to go for the standard long shaped compact fluorescent as they are also available with a round, candle or regular incandescent shaded covering.
Sustainability Advice is a service of the Moreland Solar City project, part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative, led by the Moreland Energy Foundation, in partnership with Moreland City Council, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sustainability Victoria.
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