Dr Deane Hutton on Energy Efficient Lighting

LIGHTING

We need lighting in our homes, offices, businesses and schools. What sort of lighting should we use? I'm glad you asked! The experts have been telling us for several years that incandescent or tungsten lamps are inefficient and should be replaced. Should we replace them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), halogen downlights, or LED lights? There are advantages and disadvantages of each.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS

CFLs use the same light sockets that were used by incandescent lamps, so can be changed over readily. They are much more efficient. For example, an 8 watt CFL gives out the same amount of light as a 40 watt incandescent lamp. Also, CFL stay cool and last longer. However, CFLs contain mercury and must be disposed of very carefully after their useful life is over.

HALOGEN DOWNLIGHTS

Halogen downlights use a lower voltage than incandescent lamps (typically, 12 volts instead of 240 volts). They are much more energy efficient. However, they are costly to install in a house or other building that is already established. But for a new building they are well worth considering.

LED LAMPS

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. An LED is very cool and extremely energy efficient but gives out a relatively small amount of light. However, LEDs can be grouped together in clusters or strips to make a very effective light source. Also, LEDs come in a wide variety of colours. LEDs are expensive at present, but prices will drop as they become more widely used.