ABC of Lighting

From natural light to energy saving light bulbs

When possible it is worthwhile using natural light that is stronger than artificial light. Turn off lights on a bright day, and always when you don’t need them.

An energy saving light bulb or small fluorescent light bulb lasts at least six times, and with some models up to 15 times, longer than an ordinary incandescent bulb. Though energy saving light bulbs are more expensive when you buy them than incandescent light bulbs, they pay for themselves over time.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs have gradually been taken off the market since 1 September 2009 and replaced with the energy efficient alternatives.

The right lighting in the right place

In planning your home lighting, it is worth taking a moment to think about energy efficiency. When installing lighting take a decision on future use costs.
The energy consumption of lighting depends on many things: light bulbs, fixtures, location of fixtures and even the colour of a room’s walls. Using lights only when they are needed is one of the most important things: in controlling lighting you can use automatic techniques, such as motion sensing, night time switching, timing etc.
It is worthwhile choosing the kind of lamp for general lighting that distributes light as evenly as possible throughout the room. A lamp can shine directly downwards or indirectly at the ceiling, which provides a more even lighting and avoids glare.
You can use spot lamps to highlight furniture, walls, to light a work area or use to read by. Using spot lamps only for general lighting easily increases energy consumption and can lead to unpleasant glare.
If possible, it is worthwhile thinking whether neon lighting would be suitable for use at home for general lighting. There are some pretty stylish neon light fittings on the market.

Energy efficient light bulbs

Swap incandescent light bulbs for energy saving bulbs particularly in places where lights are on for long periods. Energy saving lamps are also suitable for sealed outdoor lighting. Energy saving bulbs equipped with dusk-to-dawn switching are also available.
Use other energy efficient sources of light. LED lights make excellent spot lamps that use appreciably less energy than incandescent or halogen bulbs. The energy consumption of LED lights used for outdoor lighting is also smaller.
With general lighting it is worth considering, if possible, using T5 energy efficient neon lights equipped with an electronic connection. These can be used in place of regular T8 neon lights, they switch on more quickly and they don’t flicker.

Lighting control

When using energy efficiency, it is essential that lighting is used only where and when it is needed.
New sorts of controls can be used instead of or together with traditional light switches. Motion sensors turn on lights when you enter a room and turn them off when the room is empty. Switches can also be set up so that all house lights can be turned off using a common switch by the front door.
Out door lighting control is an efficient was to cut energy use and increase safety when outdoors and to prevent vandalism. General lighting for the garden or yard can be controlled by using dusk-to-dawn switching or a combination of dusk-to-dawn or timed switching. Approach lighting turns on front and back door and path or drive way lighting using motion sensors.

Did you know?

One 15 W energy saving bulb gives the equivalent amount of light of a 60 W incandescent light bulb.
A 60 W incandescent light bulb costs less than €1, but it uses over seven Euros of electricity during its lifespan. The use costs are therefore noticeably greater than the procurement cost.
By swapping five 60 W incandescent light bulbs, are used for a few hours every day, with 15 W energy saving bulbs, you will save 165 kW of electricity in a year (about €20). In addition, the lesser electricity production amounts to 33kg of carbon emissions.
Energy saving light bulbs are small neon lights, the mercury in which must be retained before the bulb is destroyed. Discarded energy saving light bulbs therefore constitute hazardous waste.
In places where lights are used for only short periods (such as clothes closets or storerooms), or in a hot and damp sauna it is best to swap incandescent light bulbs with C-class screw base halogen bulbs. These are about 30% more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs and are inexpensive.