Lighting your home invariably involves energy usage - but with the right approach, you can drastically minimise the amount of energy you use, cutting both your power bills and your carbon footprint.
The best way to do this by far is to ensure that you make the best use possible of available daylight. You can also make a big impact by choosing the right energy-efficient globes for the right types of situations, and by controlling your energy usage with dimmers and timers.
A super-efficient home may even incorporate on a solar electricity setup - literally lighting the home with sunlight 24 hours a day.
How to choose LED light globes
The first thing that most people shopping for LED globes notice is the price – they’re usually a bit more wallet-hungry than the compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or the halogen dichroics that you’ll find in many Australian homes.
Lifespan, energy use and cost of light globes
To really consider how 'efficient' different types of globes are compared to others, it's important to look beyond basic consumption. How long will they last? Will the added expense pay itself off in energy savings?
BCA lighting restrictions
Regulations exist in Australia to determine how much electricity you're allowed to use for lighting in your home, based on floor areas. Find out what's allowed and how to make the most of it.
Light emitting diode (LED) light globes
LED globes, or 'solid state lighting' is fast becoming the lighting of choice thanks to its amazing efficiency and long life.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
These lamps are more efficient, readily available and burn far cooler that conventional incandescents and halogen globes.
Daylighting options
Daylight is a crucial part of any lighting design, and when used properly can help save you money and cut the size of your carbon footprint.