Give your lights a rest

See the light! Simply by switching lights off when you leave a room you can save $100 a year - and you'll also stop 400kg of carbon pollution being released into the atmosphere.

Natural light costs you nothing and well-designed north-facing windows and skylights let in light without adding to heating and cooling costs.

The decor in your home may also contribute to your power usage – while light coloured surfaces reflect and distribute natural light, dark surfaces absorb it, making you reach for the light switch.

To make the best use of artificial lighting:

• switch to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) where lighting is required for long periods of time – like in living rooms, over kitchen benches or on desks
• replace low-voltage halogen down lights with energy efficient fittings - if retrofitting isn't an option, fit lower wattage and more efficient bulbs
• use task lighting, such as reading lamps, when only a specific area needs to be lit rather than lighting the entire room
• use timers, movement and daylight sensors for hallway, outdoors and special lighting needs
• choose lighter colours for lampshades, walls and furnishings, so they don't absorb natural light
• check light fittings do not block the release of light, keep them clear of obstructions and free from dust
• install two-way switches to encourage lights to be switched off at either end of the room
• provide separate switching controls and separate lighting into small groups or types for optimal lighting control
• check the wattage - are you using a higher watt bulb than is necessary?
• download Energy efficient lighting fact sheet (PDF, 481kb) to learn more ways to save electricity.