Switch and save with energy-saving light bulbs

Low-energy light bulbs are one of the easiest green money-saving ideas. Here’s how to get the best from them.

These days, low-energy light bulbs are as good as traditional ones and they’re cheaper to run – saving around £7 each per year.

Under EU regulations, all pearl, frosted and white light bulbs will be phased out in favour of energy-saving bulbs. The government is also thinking about phasing out traditional bulbs by 2012, so switching now will get you ahead of the game.

Low-energy bulb options

There are three main types of low-energy light bulb:

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) 

These ultra-efficient bulbs come in all shapes and sizes and offer good quality light as well as fantastic energy efficiency.

Halogen lights

Clear, bright, natural light and reduced energy use – halogen lights are getting more ecofriendly.      

LED lights

Long-lasting, attractive and colourful, LEDs are an energy-efficient way to add colour and atmosphere to your home or garden.

CFLs

CFLs are the energy-efficient version of standard light bulbs.

They come in all shapes and sizes (looking like standard bulbs or even candle-shaped varieties if you want) and offer good quality light as well as fantastic energy efficiency.

CFLs convert more of the power into light, rather than heat – they use just a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light, reducing our electricity bills and helping our homes produce less carbon dioxide.

Save energy and money

• Just one low-energy CFL could save you up to £7 a year. They last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb, and with Tesco’s low prices on energy-efficient bulbs, you’ll recoup your money quickly. We halved the cost of our energy-efficient bulbs in support of the Together campaign.
• Remember, they use a fifth of the electricity of standard bulbs, so to replace a standard 100W bulb you just need a 20W energy-efficient one.

Buy low-energy light bulbs from Tesco.com

Halogen lights

Halogen lights use less electricity than ordinary light bulbs, but they’re not as energy efficient as CFLs.

However, they give a natural, bright light anywhere that you need great visibility, such as in the kitchen.

Save energy and money

• Low-voltage halogen lights are around 35 per cent more efficient than normal bulbs, last twice as long and are up to 20 per cent brighter.
• Long-life energy-saving halogen lamps come with a special infrared coating (IRC) and are up to 65 per cent more economical than standard halogen lights.

Buy halogen bulbs from Tesco.com

LED lights

You’re most likely to see LEDs in fairy or string lights, adding atmosphere and accent lighting in your home and garden all year round. Coloured LED bulbs can change the mood in a room, taking it from relaxing red to wake-up blue in an instant.

At the moment, LED lighting is less common due to its slightly higher price. But as technology improves, it’s likely to become more affordable and available for more general home lighting.

Save energy and money

• Because their colourful bulbs stay cool, LEDs are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs, lasting for around 30,000 hours – that’s around three and a half years of continual use!