Choosing efficient replacement light bulbs

Knowing which efficient option to replace your old bulbs with will give you the right lighting for your needs, using less energy.

Efficient light bulbs may cost a little more, but it pays off - for example, replacing a 100 Watt traditional style bulb with a 20 Watt compact fluorescent CFL can save you over $100 over the life of the CFL. The more bulbs you replace, the more you save, and the better it is for the planet.

To get lighting that really suits your needs, it's important to get the right efficient replacement bulbs for the job - here's how.

What light bulbs do you already have?

If you want the same quality of light but in a more efficient version, make sure you understand what you're replacing so you buy the right replacement. That is:

• how bright it is - old-style bulbs refer to this in Watts, but choosing by lumens (the amount of light it puts out) will ensure you get the right amount of light for your needs. Check the package for this information. As a rough guide, 1350 lumens is the equivalent of a traditional 100W light bulb, a 20W CFL and a 75W halogen.

• what "colour" the light is (warm or cool)

• what type of bulb it is (bayonet, screw-in, or pins)

• what type of fitting it is (standard, recessed, dimmable) and

• whether there's anything unusual about the shape or size (if so, it pays to take the old bulb with you when buying a replacement).

Know what the replacement options are

The most common replacement options for the most common types of household lighting are below.

Replacing standard light bulbs in standard, non-recessed fittings

• New-generation halogens - these are virtually identical to an old-style light bulb but are 30% more efficient.
• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) - use up to 80% less energy than old-style bulbs and come in a range of shapes, including one similar to an old-style light bulb. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs so you know you are getting the best.

Replacing standard halogen spotlights in non-recessed fittings

• IRC halogen spotlights - these are 30% more efficient than standard halogen spotlights.

Replacing standard halogen spotlights in recessed fittings

• IRC halogen spotlights - these are 30% more efficient than standard halogen spotlights.

• Long-term, it's worth considering replacing recessed lights with non-recessed fittings. Recessed lights (down lights) can really reduce the performance of your ceiling insulation and, unless designed carefully, they tend to be an inefficient way of providing general room lighting.

Replacing standard light bulbs in dimmable or sensor fittings

• New generation halogens - these can be used anywhere an old-style light bulb is, but are 30% more efficient.

• Some CFLs - only some special versions of CFLs can be used with dimmers and sensors. Check the box carefully before you buy.

Replacing standard bulbs in recessed fittings

• If the fitting has a built-in reflector, use a new-generation halogen bulb - these are virtually identical to an old-style light bulb but are 30% more efficient.

• If the fitting has no built-in reflector, you can either use a reflector CFL that has been designed to replace the reflector bulb, or new-generation reflector halogen of similar size.

• Long-term, it's worth considering replacing recessed lights with non-recessed fittings. Recessed lights (down lights) can really reduce the performance of your ceiling insulation and, unless designed carefully, they tend to be an inefficient way of providing general room lighting.

Find out more about types of bulbs and lighting design.
Find out more detailed information on the RightLight website.