You might have felt a sense of guilt when reading the title. The phase-out of inefficient energy light bulbs started back in 2009, and by now, Australian homes and businesses should be fully equipped with a more eco-friendly alternative. However, there are still some culprits that still use the inefficient light bulbs. In this article, we want to share some information about the inefficient light bulbs that you should look out for.

Extra low-voltage Halogen non-reflector lamps.

The pear-shaped incandescent light bulbs were the first light bulbs that should have been phased out by now. By replacing these bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives such as LEDs, properties will save at least 300 kWh and approximately $90AUD per year.

Mains voltage halogen.

These halogen light bulbs have been found to be highly inefficient light sources and need to be phased out as soon as possible. They are known to consume a lot of energy and their incompatibility with dimmers, affordability, and dimensional capability is problematic.

What is the alternative that should be used?

LED light bulbs are the most eco-friendly lighting solution that can be installed in properties. The bulb uses significantly less energy due to its engineering design. Traditional light bulbs like incandescents lose up to 90% of energy as heat when they are used. Secondly, the brightness of a bulb was measured in Watts, which meant that more energy would be consumed. LED lights are designed in a way where the brightness is measured using lumens.

What are some of the environmental benefits to expect over the long-term?

The first one that comes to mind is the reduction in carbon emissions. The majority of Australia’s power supply comes from the burning of coal, oil, and gas. Although there are a few renewable energy providers, it still makes up less than 20%, and it is unlikely that it will increase above 30% in the next 5 years.

Additionally, the country will be able to reduce the threat of mercury contamination in the soil from the glass used in incandescent light bulbs. This usually occurs from the disposal of these types of bulbs.

If you notice any of these bulbs in any properties, we’d recommend that you advise the property manager or landlord about their obligation to upgrade to energy-efficient light bulbs. You can easily refer them to speak to a LEDified lighting specialist, who can help them upgrade to energy-efficient lighting.