Save Money and Help The Environment with New Lightbulbs

One route to save energy that many people are still – amazingly – ignoring is the low energy light bulb. These compact fluorescent bulbs use around 20% of the energy of a normal incandescent light bulb that turns over 90% of its electricity consumption into heat.

Some two years ago I wrote an article about the savings available and I predicted energy prices would rise as the low prices at that time were unsustainable. Well, that turned out to be the case. At the same time the cost of low energy light bulbs has fallen so I’ve re-calculated the finances.

Low Energy light bulbs are now available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit nearly any fitting. Don’t confuse low energy bulbs with low voltage halogen light bulbs. These may appear to use less electricity but as you need more bulbs to light up a room and they have transformers, which also use energy, they actually don’t save much if any power.

First of all, lets compare the power of light bulbs

The average lifespan of a conventional light bulb is just 1,000 hours but a low energy light bulb will last around 8,000 hours. Some of the latest light bulbs now available last 15,000 hours.

Taking the 'low' lifespan figure we can compare the costs of running a 100W bulb for 8,000 hours, which means it will probably last you between four and five years before you need to change it!

Costs of Running a Light Bulb for 8,000 Hours Compared

Low Energy Light Bulb

Cost of bulb £2.00

Cost of electricity = (8,000 hours X 20 watts / 1,000 KWH) x 10p per KWH = £16.00

Total Cost = £18.00

Conventional (Incandescent) Light Bulb

Cost of bulb 8 X 25p = £2.00

Cost of electricity = (8,000 hours X 100 watts / 1,000 KWH) x 10p per KWH = £80.00

Total Cost = £82.00

Just changing one light bulb will save you £64.00 or around £16.00 a year. How many bulbs have you got that you could change?

Even lower wattage conventional bulbs can be effectively replaced. A 60W PAR kitchen spotlight bulb can be replaced for about £3.50. Plugging in the figures as for the 100 W bulb shows that we save £39.20 on power and the bulbs are cheaper too as we only need one low energy bulb at £3.50 against 8 conventional at £2.00 each

So our total saving is £51.70 per light bulb over 4 years.

We have seven light bulbs in our kitchen so we actually save over £90.00 a year on one room in our hours.

So, what are you waiting for? Going green, saving carbon dioxide emissions and the environment as well as saving you money. Do the maths for yourself and you will be amazed how much you can save.

Problems with low energy bulbs?

I’ve heard people say that the bulbs are not as bright as conventional. It is true that the older bulbs and some of the cheaper new ones, take a minute to warm up to full brightness but then they are just as bright.

The other myth is about the size of these bulbs. The early ones were huge affairs but like everything else, they've become smaller and you can replace nearly any bulb with a low energy version. There's even a bulb you can use with a dimmer switch now - click here for more information

If you think a special bulb will be expensive, just do the maths above and check for yourself.

Compact and Ordinary Fluorescent Myth Debunked!

It is true that there is a minot surge in power when you switch a fluorescent bulb on and it draws more electricity for a few seconds. So the myth has developed that you are better leaving them on than switching off and on later. The truth is that if you are not going to use the light for over one minute it will pay you to switch off and save money.

The other myth is that they don't last as long as they claim. The Government's Market Transformation Unit has tested low energy light bulbs and it found that, generally, around 8 of 10 bulbs exceed the average life stated on the box.

Resources

Nigel's Eco Store

You can get energy saving lightbulbs everywhere now but Nigel's Eco Store offers a wide range of energy saving devices and ecologically and environmentally friend things. Well worth a visit even if only to see what's on offer.

Energy Saving Trust

We encourage energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources into the economic fabric of our society. To achieve this we promote the use of cleaner fuels for transport and better insulation and heating efficiency for buildings and homes and champion small-scale renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

Friends of the Earth

This organisation is at the forefront of the campaign against Climate Change

Centre for Alternative Technology

CAT aims to 'inspire, inform, and enable' people to live more sustainably. A solutions driven organisation, offering practical solutions to environmental problems, our key areas of work are renewable energy, environmental building, energy efficiency, organic growing and alternative sewage systems. We have been in existence for 27 years. CAT services include a visitor centre open 7 days a week, practical and informative publications, a mailorder service of 'green' books and products, educational services for schools, consultancy for individuals and businesses, residential courses, membership and a free information service

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