Put your light globes under a spotlight

The number of watts required for CFLs is far lower than incandescent, take a look at the comparisons:

Switching just one old-style incandescent light globe to a CFL in a high use area in your home can shave $20 a year off your annual power bill. Changing all incandescents in a house to CFLs can reduce bills by around $140. At the same time, you'll be cutting your household carbon pollution by 600kg per year.

Light Emitting Diodes (LED lighting) are another energy efficient alternative, however LEDs for general household lighting are a new technology which is still being developed.

To use less power for your household lighting:

• replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs especially in places where you need to keep lights switched on for long periods - like in the living room
• use tubular fluorescent lamps in kitchens, garages and workshops
• limit the use of halogen lights to highlighting decorative features such as a painting on the wall. Halogen lights are not suitable for general lighting
• install timers, movement and daylight sensors
• use task lighting rather than room or overhead lighting where small areas need to be lit
• take advantage of natural lighting during the day
• use separate switches to individually control lighting types and groups - for maximum flexibility and control
• download Energy efficient lighting fact sheet (PDF, 481kb) to learn more ways to save electricity.

Always remember to turn-off the lights when you leave a room.

And don't forget disposal of compact fluorescent globes (CFL) should be done with care. Visit the NSW Household Chemical CleanOut Program to find a CleanOut event near you.