As the world becomes more conscious of the impact of human activities on the environment, more and more people are turning to sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint and cut down on energy bills. One of the simplest ways to do this is by switching to energy-efficient lighting.

Inefficient traditional incandescent light bulbs had been around for over a century, but they use only about 5% of the electricity they consume to produce visible light. Moreover, their filament is not long-lasting as the heat passing through it causes it to evaporate. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, halogen light bulbs are slightly more efficient as they run at a higher temperature. However, they use the same filament technology as traditional bulbs, which makes them just as inefficient. Therefore, halogen bulbs are being phased out in favor of energy-efficient alternatives.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were the first energy-efficient bulbs on the market and use about 70-80% less electricity than traditional bulbs. They also have a longer lifespan, lasting almost ten times longer than traditional bulbs. The bulb consists of a gas inside a glass tube that is charged with electricity until it glows. However, CFLs have disadvantages as they can take time to reach full brightness and contain small amounts of toxic mercury, which can harm the environment if not disposed of correctly.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are the most energy-efficient lighting option and have largely replaced CFLs. They are suitable for replacing traditional bulbs, dimmable lights, and spotlights, turn on instantly at full brightness, and are available to fit almost any light fitting used in homes. Also, LEDs use electricity flowing through them to produce light, and their bulbs contain a large number of LEDs to create sufficient brightness. Replacing all bulbs in your home with LEDs could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40kg per year. That is equivalent to the carbon dioxide produced by driving around 145 miles.

Strip lights or linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) are most frequently seen in offices or industrial settings, but modern strip lights are more efficient, faster to illuminate, and produce a better quality of light than traditional strip lights.

Many countries, including the UK, have banned manufacturers from producing new, inefficient halogen lights. Retailers can still sell their existing stock, and specialist halogen bulbs may still be in use in ovens, cooker hoods, and security lights. If you are shopping for new products or replacement lights, ensure you check the labels carefully and buy energy-efficient alternatives to halogen lights.

Select the right bulb for your needs, choose LED or CFL bulbs for general lighting areas and outdoor lighting. LED spots are suggested for spotlighting, and LED or B-rated halogen bulbs for dimmable lighting. Opt for LED bulbs for crystal chandeliers.

If you have ever bought a low energy light bulb and been disappointed by the level of brightness it gives out, you may have picked a bulb with a small lumen value. Traditional bulbs use watts to determine a bulb’s brightness, but watts measure power consumption rather than brightness. Energy-efficient bulbs use less power, so it is best to look at lumen output when selecting the right bulb. This table compares the wattage of traditional bulbs to the approximate equivalent lumen values of LEDs/CFLs.

Switching to energy-efficient lighting can help lower electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions without compromising the quality of light in homes. With a variety of energy-efficient bulbs available, finding the perfect lighting solution for your needs has never been easier.