Energy Saving Lighting
Lamps and Bulbs Improvements and Green Deal Grants
top wasting energy, buy replacement energy saving lamps – the green deal will help bring about improvements to homes and businesses that qualify for a loan under the grant scheme. Installation of replacement low energy lighting will provide better longer life fittings, and reduce energy bills through the reduction of electricity usage. This section provides tips and advice on ways to save money on your utility bill, and reduce energy consumption by using simple energy saving lighting measiures.
A lot of energy is wasted in homes and businesses across the UK, there are some easy ways to save energy around the home by just changing a light bulb, and by investing in low energy light fittings. Replacing existing filament bulbs is easy, and will save you money in the long term.
Remember – keep costs down, and switch them off when not in use.

Saving Money and Energy
Energy saving lightbulbs are now replacing filament type lamps. The advantage of using low energy lighting is that you can use less electricity, in fact, up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb. They also last up to 10 times longer. In other words, they can help you to save money and energy, all in one wise purchase. And by saving energy, you’ll be helping to fight climate change too.
Modern lamps have improved recently, and the technology for (LEL) low energy lighting has changed greatly since the first bulbs were introduced onto the market. To light your home, there are many shapes, sizes and styles of fittings available today.
A large choice and selection of energy saving fittings range from stick shaped bulbs, candle shape, and come with small or medium screw and bayonet fittings for the lampholder, including dimmable energy saving bulbs.
How do they Work?
Low energy lightbulbs are manufactured with a ballast or transformer which is fitted into the casing of the light fitting, this controls the supply of electricity to the bulb, allowing for a small surge when first switching on the light bulb. The amount of electricity is gradually reduced to a very low level and uses less power. If you fit just one energy saving lightbulb in your home you could save on average around £2.50 a year for a low wattage bulb,or up to £6 for higher wattage bulbs.
Mains powered halogen light fitting use a large amount of electricity but less than traditional bulbs. Today the market has introduced LED (light emitting diode) lighting. LED lamps produce a very bright intense light and is more like natural daylight. The cost of LED lamps is now falling as mass production of fittings is already underway. LED lights are good spotlight replacements.
The energy saving bulb CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) uses the same technology as those for fluorescent lights and because they are more compact they use even less energy.
Recycling
Those who sell energy saving light bulb products are part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) initiative and, as such, must provide information to the buyer on ways to recycle them. Also, contact your local authority to see if they offer a service for recycling energy saving light bulbs.
