Innovations in lighting over recent years has given rise to many options for CFLs  LEDs. Replacing lamps in existing fittings with energy efficient bulbs  is one of the easiest ways to make energy savings. 

There are two main types of energy-efficient light bulbs available: compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are the most common and adaptable light fitting, and are suitable for replacing dimmable lights and spotlights. LEDs are also more energy-efficient than CFLs. If you replace all the bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could save €40 a year on your electricity bills. Though LEDs are more expensive, they will typically last 20 times as long as incandescent bulbs so the s

Watts and Lumens

If you have ever bought a low energy light bulb and been disappointed by the level of brightness it gives out; you may have picked a bulb with too small a lumen value. With traditional bulbs, we used watts to determine the brightness of a bulb, but watts measure power consumption rather than brightness. Energy-efficient bulbs use fewer watts, so it is best to look at lumen output. For example, a 25 watt bulb would equate to 250 lumens, 40 watt would be 470 lumens and 60 watt 800 lumens. 

Choosing the right colour

Low energy light bulbs imitate traditional light bulbs, so if you prefer a particular colour, there should be a close match with the new energy-efficient lighting. ‘Soft white’ or ‘warm white’ bulbs provide a cosy glow that is best for general household lighting, while ‘cool white’ or ‘pure white’ are ideal for office spaces or any area that requires clear vision. The colour rendering index (CRI) of a bulb shows you how well a bulb will illuminate a chosen colour. Two bulbs can have the same colour, but the bulb with a higher CRI will show colours more accurately than the other.

The bulb’s packaging will indicate the CRI alongside the lumen value. A CRI of 80 or more is appropriate for most household tasks.