Since the anticipated decline in wholesale energy prices is still a few months away, we are still paying more than ever for the energy we use in our homes. Since the 400 energy bill support plan came to an end in March(opens in new tab), families have spent months worrying about how much their energy bills will cost. Although the warmer weather may mean we spend less money heating our homes, it’s still important to make every effort to conserve energy. And one important area where families can be overspending is lighting.
new analysis by energy professionals more than five million households in the UK are wasting 150 million pounds of energy each year by not replacing their old halogen lightbulbs with LED equivalents, according to research by Loop (opens in new tab).
If homeowners replaced 10 of their 50W inefficient halogen lightbulbs with LED bulbs, they could save 60 annually; if they replaced 20, they could save up to 120.
| Number of lightbulbs in the home (based on 50-watt halogen bulb) | Annual savings by switching to LED lightbulbs |
|---|---|
| 5 | 30 |
| 10 | 60 |
| 15 | 90 |
| 20 | 120 |
Furthermore, 32% of households are putting themselves at risk of paying more by waiting until their old halogen bulbs burn out before switching, per Loop’s research.
Since lighting accounts for 11% of the average household’s electricity bill, switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs is a quick and easy way to reduce electricity costs, according to Dr. Steve Buckley, Head of Data Science at Loop.
Although some people in the past disregarded LED lights because they were too expensive or didn’t have enough power, most of them now provide better quality than conventional bulbs and are becoming more affordable every day. The durability of LEDs is one of their appeals. Some options state that they can last up to 25 to 30 years.
Read More: How the Antitrust Ruling Against Microsoft Could Be a Big Win for Gamers?
How do I know which lightbulb to get?
According to a study by Loop, 30% of Brits confess to being confused about LEDs, saying they don’t know which to choose, where to acquire them, or what difference they actually make.
The following are some important considerations when selecting a lightbulb:
- the fitting
- and the brightness.
When it comes to the fitting, you may have an Edison fitting that is screwed into place or a bayonet fitting (where there are little prongs on the side of the bulb base) that requires a push-and-twist action to fit. Some lamps with much smaller bulbs that are smaller in size may also have a push fitting. Before switching to LED replacement bulbs, it’s crucial to know what kind of fitting you require.
There are now many options available to meet your needs, but it can be difficult to decide which bulb to buy. You may have tried LED bulbs in the past and been dissatisfied with the low amount of light.
Instead of considering brightness, we used to base our decisions on a bulb’s wattage, which measures how much power it consumes. Since LED bulbs are more energy-efficient and use less wattage, it is best to consider their lumen value, which serves as a measure of how bright the bulb is.
Read More: Android Tablets Don’t Get Enough Attention—Here’s Why iPads Aren’t the Only Choice
A straightforward table (opens in a new tab) provided by The Energy Saving Trust allows users to contrast older LED bulb lumen levels with their traditional wattages. For instance, an LED bulb with 800 lumens would be the equivalent of a conventional 60W light.
Check the label on your light fixture to see whether it specifies the type of bulb you should purchase before making any replacement bulb purchases. You may also bring your old bulb with you to a DIY store and inquire about a suitable LED replacement; chances are, you won’t be the only one doing so!
