Save Money On Energy Bills With These Lighting Tips

Since the second half of 2021, energy prices have risen due to a reduction in power supplies, leading to a cost of living crisis.

Here at Dusk Lighting, we want to advise you on the best energy-saving light bulbs and how to save money on your electricity bill.

Table of contents:

Which lights are the most energy efficient?

To help with the burden of rising electricity bills, knowing which bulb is the most energy efficient is crucial to cut back on energy usage.

There are four main types of light bulbs used in homes; incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). But which is the best energy-saving light bulb?

The short answer is LEDs.

LEDs are the most energy efficient, with typical wattages coming in at 4-18 watts, a fraction of incandescent or halogen light bulbs. In comparison, incandescent and halogen light bulb wattages are typically up to 100 watts and 120 watts, respectively. CFL bulbs typically have a wattage of 6-22 watts, which uses 60-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Simply put, the more watts your light bulbs use, the more you pay for your energy bill.

As of October 2022, the National average price of electricity per Kilowatt-hour is 34p. For example, if one 100-watt bulb used 0.1 Kilowatts per hour, having ten 100-watt bulbs on simultaneously would result in using 1 Kilowatt per hour, costing 34p an hour in energy.

However, if you swap ten 100-watt bulbs for ten 18-watt bulbs, you would use 0.18 Kilowatts per hour. This would cost significantly less, at just over 6p an hour.

LEDs and CFLs also boast a greater lifespan than incandescent or halogen bulbs. LEDs tend to last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, whilst CFLs last up to 10,000 hours. Incandescent and halogen light bulbs are the least reliable, lasting between 1,000 and 2,000 hours.

How can we save energy on lighting?

Now you’re an expert on the best energy-saving light bulbs, you may be wondering how you can save energy on lighting. There are several ways in which you can reduce your lighting energy output.

Unsurprisingly, replacing the bulbs in your home with the best energy-saving light bulb is a good start to saving energy. You can reduce energy prices and carbon emissions by using LED lights in your home. Carbon emissions would be reduced by 40kg, equivalent to driving your car 145 miles.

The next step in reducing energy on lighting is reducing the number of lights on in a single room. You may find that you have a few lights on in certain rooms in your home that you simply don’t need. Do you really need the ceiling light and floor lamp on simultaneously?

YouGov recently found that 46% of Britons are reducing their lighting usage to cut back on their electricity use at home. There are several ways in which Britons have been reducing their lighting usage, with 41% turning off lights when not in the room whilst 25% are waiting until dark to turn lights on. 19% are sitting in the dark instead of turning on lights, 18% are switching to energy-saving light bulbs, and 24% are now using lamps, candles and solar or battery-powered lighting.

What are five energy-saving tips?

If you’re still in need of some ways to help save energy in your home, here are five energy-saving tips:

• Buy light bulbs with low wattage
• Check the energy efficiency rating
• Install dimmers
• Go solar for outdoor lights
• Turn lights off when not in use

As mentioned above, light bulbs with a lower wattage result in using less energy as well as reducing the cost of your electricity bill. Checking the energy efficiency rating of any light bulb is important, as you want to purchase the most efficient choice. Energy efficiency ratings are typically ranked from A to G, with A being the most efficient whilst G is the least.

Installing dimmer switches is a smart way to help save energy in your home. Dimmer switches allow you to set the light’s brightness to what you need all day long, so you don’t use unnecessary energy. Going solar for outdoor lights is also a helpful tip for conserving energy in your home. Relying on natural lighting is a great alternative to help you conserve energy in your home and reduce the cost of your electricity bill.

The final but most important tip to help you save energy is turning off your lights when they are not in use. Keeping lights on when you’re not in the room results in a huge waste of energy and only adds to your electricity bill.

Can you save money by turning off lights?

Turning off your lights when you are not using them or not in the room can save around £25 a year on your annual energy bills. But this isn’t the only way you can save.

For every halogen bulb you switch to an LED, you could save around £2-£3 per year on your energy bill. Not only are LEDs the most energy efficient, but they are also the most cost-efficient. You could save up to £55 a year on your electricity bill by switching to LED bulbs.

What are the best lighting additions to your home?

Here at Dusk Lighting, we offer a range of lighting products suitable for any room and preference. If, after reading this article, you would like an energy-saving addition to your home, then why not browse the latest collection of floor and table lamps at Dusk Lighting?

Floor and table lights are a fantastic and affordable option to brighten your home, with various styles and colours available. Compatible with LED lights, floor and table lights cost less than other lighting fixtures, as no electrician is required to install them. 

Floor and table lights are also great for creating a cosy space. Pair your floor or table lamp with a warm white-coloured energy-saving light bulb to create a more relaxing environment.

Implementing the lighting tips from this guide will help you reduce energy usage and shave money off your electricity bill. Alongside floor and table lights, why not add a solar-powered light to your home decor or browse our range of energy-saving light bulbs to start saving energy?