Energy-efficient lighting options for Australian homes
Efficient lighting is one of the simpler ways to cut your energy consumption and your electricity bill, and it reduces your environmental impact along the way. There is plenty to choose from now. Here are the options worth looking at.
- LED bulbs are among the most energy-efficient lighting available. They use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last far longer, often up to 25,000 hours or more. They also give off very little heat, which makes them safer as well as more efficient. LEDs come in a range of colours and brightness levels, so they can replace less efficient lighting right through the house.
- Smart lighting systems let you control lights from a phone app or by voice. You can program them around your schedule so nothing is left burning in an empty room. Dimming, motion detection and occupancy sensors add to the savings. Philips Hue, LIFX and Clipsal Wiser are the common platforms in Australia.
- Daylight sensors, also called photocells, adjust the brightness of your lights according to how much natural light is already there, so the artificial lighting only does the work that is left over. They suit rooms with large windows or skylights, where there is natural light to make use of.
- Dimmable lights let you set brightness to suit the activity and the time of day. Turning the brightness down lowers energy use and makes the room more comfortable to sit in. Dimmable LED bulbs are widely available and drop into an existing setup, provided the dimmer switch is compatible.
- When you are buying globes, check the Energy Rating Label. It is the Australian government scheme and LED lamps are covered by it, so the star rating gives you a direct comparison between products. It is also worth comparing the power draw in watts against the light output in lumens, because two LEDs can draw similar power and give quite different amounts of light. LEDs come in a wide range of styles, so the saving does not cost you the look you want.
- Solar-powered lights work well outdoors. The panel collects and stores energy from the sun through the day, then runs the light at night. They are easy to install, need no wiring, and operate independently of your home’s electrical system, which makes them both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
- Lighting controls and automation tie the rest of it together. Timers, motion sensors and smart home systems switch lighting according to occupancy and time of day, so lights are only on when someone actually needs them. Controls like these can be added to an existing setup or built into a new installation.
Switching to efficient lighting pays for itself through lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint. M&J Electrical Works supplies energy-efficient lighting and handles the installation.
