Energy saving light bulbs are now a popular choice for environment and cost conscious homes and businesses within the UK. However, the current financial situation has meant that, for some, the replacement of incandescent light bulbs for energy efficient lighting is now more of a necessity than a choice. Also, current EU regulations have seen the gradual phase-out of traditional filament bulbs. The phasing out of these inefficient bulbs could make a noticeable difference to national and European energy consumption. Energy saving lamps are also known as Compact Florescent Lamps or ‘CFLs’.
People making the change to energy efficient light bulbs in the UK will not be disappointed. The current range of energy saving bulbs and lighting on offer throughout the UK is impressive, varied and can be bought at an inexpensive price.
Energy saving light bulbs have certainly come a long way since they were first introduced. Early energy saving lamps were usually only available in a few shapes like the spiral and tubular types. The complaint was that they didn’t look aesthetically pleasing in the original fittings where they were being fitted. The other issues were that the colour was dull and they flickered when switched on. There is now a new generation of eco bulbs, available in many different shapes, sizes, light colour and wattages.
The shapes available are reassuring to the design conscious eye as they look good in existing fittings. Modern shapes of eco light bulb include Globe, Candle, Golf Ball and GLS (General Lighting Service), plus lots more. What many don’t realize when buying energy efficient light bulbs is that the Lumens value of a bulb should always be considered. The Lumens value of a light bulb is its actual brightness, its luminosity if you will. Many early CFLs had a very low lumens value and were therefore very dull. Now, the manufacturers of the energy saver bulbs know that a higher lumens value is better.
Each energy efficient light bulb has an equivalent wattage to an incandescent light bulb. This value is usually over exaggerated on many companies packaging. However, due to an EC directive, all low energy lighting packaging has to realistically comply to the actual equivalent wattages. The correct wattage equivalent is about 4 times the CFL value. For example an energy efficient bulb with 10w would be equal to 40w filament bulb. Some energy saving lights are ‘energy rated A’; this is the highest energy efficient rating. This will be displayed on the eco bulb packaging.
The main advantage with saving energy by replacing your old light bulbs is the drop you’ll notice in your electricity bills with the use of CFL bulbs resulting in up to an 80% energy saving.
Other low energy lighting solutions are available, such as halogen light bulbs and LED lighting. Energy saving GU10s are also available as well as various spotlights and outdoor lighting. You can even spread energy savings to outside with energy saving floodlights!