bemoreeco

The team at BBCGreen have carried out some investigation on the myths surrounding Low Energy Lights. Over the last 12 months I have been replacing light bulbs around the house with energy efficient ones. Low energy bulbs save you cash, carbon and inconvenience – so why aren’t we all using them?

What investment opportunity offers typical returns of up to 6000 per cent, an average minimum pay-in of just £3 and, as a bonus, has a positive impact on the planet? The answer: low-energy light bulbs.   

A single low-energy bulb costing £1 can save you up to £60 in energy costs over its lifetime and avoid hundreds of kilograms of CO2 emissions.   

So why isn’t everyone using them? One reason is that many people simply aren’t aware of the benefits. Another is that low-energy light bulbs, also known as eco bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs, still have a reputation for poor quality.   

Over the next four weeks we will be providing you some of the most common myths about green lighting. So here are the first three.

 

1. Low-energy bulbs produce unpleasant light

Five or so years ago, many low-energy bulbs did produce rather weak, cold and unnatural-looking light. But times have changed and modern eco bulbs produce bright, yellow light that is just as pleasant – if very slightly different in character – as regular lighting.   

American magazine Popular Mechanics put such claims to the test, asking people to rate the light from eight different bulbs. The result? The seven eco bulbs all scored better than the one regular bulb.

 

2. Eco bulbs flicker and take ages to turn on

Again, this is mainly a thing of the past. Most modern low-energy bulbs turn on within a second, with no flickering. But it’s true that they can take a few seconds to reach their maximum light levels, especially in a cold room.

 

3. Low-energy light bulbs are expensive

Prices have plummeted in recent years and, thanks to subsidy schemes, high quality bulbs are available in the UK for as little as £1 each. The more obscure eco bulbs are pricier, but still excellent value if you factor in how long they last and the comparative cost of using regular bulbs.

 

Come back soon for the rest