Cutting carbon
10% at a time
lightingJanuary
Lighting month
Challenge 1: Fit low energy light bulbs at home
This month, we'll be helping you get your costs and carbon from lighting down to size, and getting you well on your way to 10%. But this won't be the standard 'change your bulbs' nag. From dimmer switches to halogen spotlights, we'll show you how to boldly go where no energy-saving bulbs have gone before. Hold tight.
Click the bulb you want to replace:
Or click the kind of light you want to sort out:
Standard bulbs
These are the easiest to replace - you might even have done a few already. But the options here are better than you might think. If you don't like the look of the standard ones, you can now get them in more familiar shapes. See the Myths and Truths section for more. Back to top
Dimmer switches
Don't be put off if you have a house full of dimmer switches. There are now dimmable options for almost all types of low energy bulbs. Just make sure that whatever you buy is clearly marked as being dimmer switch compatible. Back to top
Halogen spotlights
The wirey one (GU3.5)
Standard halogen spots (GU3.5s) have two little wires on the base and are normally used in fittings where the housing for the bulb is mainly enclosed within a ceiling, extractor fan, etc.
Philips makes a GU5.3 spot that works exactly as normal, even with dimmer switches, but uses 30% less energy to produce the same amount of light. Back to top
The mushroomy one (GU10)
Halogen spots also come in tasty GU10 variety. These ones connect via two little mushroom-shaped fittings, and offer a better range of proper low-energy alternatives. We like Megaman's dimmable spot, which gives you 45 watts of light for the price of 11. Back to top
Other halogens
The tiny white-hot one (G9)
These are often used in modern desk lamps and other small fittings, and until not too long ago, there was no low-energy alternative to the blazing hot halogen models. Megaman recently rode to the rescue with this eco version, but we haven't had a chance to try it out. If you do give it a go, let us know how you get on at hello@1010uk.org, Facebook or Twitter. Back to top
The disposable biro insect menace (Double Ended Halogen)
Double ended halogen bulbs are found lurking in floor uplighters, nestled among the husks of unfortunate insects that flew too close to their infernal heat. We're not aware of any low-energy replacement for these at the moment, so if you're looking to save on your lighting they're best left off. If you do use them, be sure to avoid the fearsome 300 and 500 watt versions and check out how to keep your usage to a minimum. Back to top
Saving 10%
Unless you've already done a lot in this area, saving 10% on your lighting is as easy as falling off a log. In the dark. A couple of new eco bulbs in the kitchen or living room and you're sorted.
So why not take advantage of how easy it is to save on lighting, and aim for 10% of your electricity as a whole? About 20% of the typical electricity bill comes from lighting, so it's not to hard to get 10% with a bit of thought. Don't believe us? This guy got 60% off his bill through lighting alone.
Tips
• Choose carefully, and if you’re going for something pricey, don’t buy loads at the same time. Swap out a couple and see how you get on. Try a few different brands and models to see what works best for you.
• It's much better, environmentally speaking, to replace your non-eco bulbs now – don't wait until they die. You may want to keep one or two for emergencies, but the rest are best disposed of. It may not seem very green to throw away something that's working, but they waste so much energy that it's much better to bin them than use them.
Find out the Myths & Truths about bulbs
LEDs: The Future
LEDs are what will light our way when we're all wearing silver tunics and riding hoverboards. They use about 90% less energy than incandescents, and compliment you on your outfit as you walk by. It's still early days yet, but shops are now starting to stock LEDs designed to replace normal household lights. Rejoice! Bear in mind that anything which cuts the mustard in terms of light power and quality will be quite pricey, so buy them one at a time and see how you get on.
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