Timed Energy Saving Lighting Solutions for Enhanced Home Protection

The early months of the year are traditionally strong months for holiday bookings with families, friends and couples attempting to stave off the winter gloom and give themselves something to look forward to. When booking holidays there are a number of things that should be considered besides the holiday itself. Getting someone to look after the dog or feed the cat may be troublesome, but protecting a home from burglars whilst away is a simple task. Lighting timers are a great way to make it look as though someone is home when the property is empty, although this does mean that lights will be left on for long periods of time; especially those on landings or in hallways. Not wanting to return from holiday to discover a shockingly large electricity bill, kitting out the house with energy-saving light bulbs not only relieves pressure on the wallet but plays a part in helping the environment too.

The Energy Saving GU10 Light Bulb is generally considered to be one of the best alternatives to the standard halogen bulbs. They give off the same amount of light as their incandescent predecessors and they manage to save large amounts of energy in the process, perfect for times when they will be left on for long periods of time. The savings on electricity can reach up to 80% and prices start from around £3.99, which makes them ideal for placing in hallways or on landings whilst away on holiday.

The other most popular way to replace energy wasting halogen bulbs is to use Energy Saving GLS Bulbs. Like the GU10s, these are considered to be the direct replacements to the older bulbs and fit straight into the lighting fixtures that were vacated by the older models. Their Edison Screw or Bayonet Cap bases are compatible with the most prevalent lighting fixtures in the UK, so it is easy to simply switch from energy-wasting to energy-savvy without having to rewire any fittings or replace any bulb holders. GLS bulbs are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, with similar energy-saving credentials to the GU10 bulbs. They come mainly in the familiar ‘bulb-like’ shape that many people are used to, and are available in different colour temperatures so the aesthetic of the home need not be altered by a switch to energy-efficiency. 

Lighting timers can also be used in conjunction with dimmable energy saving light bulbs. Rather than blasting a bulb at full power for long periods of time whilst the homeowners are away, they can simply set their bulbs to turn on at a much dimmer brightness using even less energy and still giving the illusion that people are home. A great way to keep up the impression that the house is occupied and keep potential criminals at bay, the use of dimmer lights during the evening is a more convincing image for the observant burglar than a house full of bright lights.

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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: The Basics

It is a common misconception that the energy-saving light bulb is a relatively new invention. It was, however, first invented back in the 1940s in collaboration between George Inman and General Electric. Known as a ‘compact fluorescent bulb’ or a CFL, these energy-efficient bulbs work on entirely different principles than the incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison. As they begin to come to prevalence over the conventional older bulbs, it is important for the public to understand how CFLs differ from incandescent bulbs, and why they are a more efficient lighting solution for the vast majority of homes and businesses.

CFL bulbs function as a result of an electric current passing through a mixture of argon gas and mercury vapour. As the current passes through the mixed substance, the mercury vapour emits an ultraviolet light, which then interacts with a layer of phosphor on the side of the CFL. This emits photons in the visible light range and illuminates the area. This is why CFLs initially need more electricity and take a few seconds to ‘warm up’; the electric current flow must be generated to an appropriate level before the bulb hits its full brightness. Once this flow has reached its maximum amount a CFL uses a good deal less energy than an incandescent bulb to provide the same level of illumination. 

The main difference between energy-efficient light bulbs and incandescent light bulbs is that the newer, more eco-conscious models have no filament. Incandescent bulbs rely on heating this filament to produce light, so without such a process in place, the new bulbs reduce the amount of heat energy wasted by massive amounts. The lack of filament also means that there are less parts to ‘burn out’ or falter as time goes on. CFLs have life spans that can reach into the decades depending on their usage; the initial price of the CFL is slightly higher than an incandescent bulb, but their longevity ensures they will outlive their energy-wasting predecessors and end up saving money in the process. 

The energy-saving bulbs that are on the shelves today come in a vast variety of shapes and wattages, with different bases to ensure that those wishing to install them need not make wholesale changes to their electrical configurations. They are available for use with dimmable switches as well as spotlights and other decorative or feature lighting, making them one of the most diverse ways to light up a room. Their cost-effective nature combined with their green credentials, which are always being improved upon in the latest technological advancements, are just two of the many reasons why the switch to CFLs and energy-saving lighting solutions cannot be ignored.

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LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are the fastest growing lighting solution on the planet, with many thousands of people choosing them for their higher levels of efficiency and their consistently bright light. Becoming increasingly popular, experts are trying to hone the technology even further in order to get the very best results out of these energy saving light bulbs. Experts at Dundee University are taking up the challenge of enhancing the LED market with a major European research project which aims to revolutionise lighting all across the world.

The premise of the project is to create a whole new generation of LED light bulbs which emit white light. They would be more efficient than existing bulbs and other LEDs, and if they were successfully developed in a way that would make them affordable for consumers and viable to mass-produce, they could help to reduce global CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

White LEDs currently have an efficiency rating of around 25%. This is still higher than halogen and incandescent bulbs, which expend the vast majority of their energy through wasteful heat energy, but the percentages can be improved upon with this study. The researchers in Dundee are aiming to create a white LED which would be around 50%-60% efficient; a huge improvement and a quantum leap in the world of energy saving lighting. Energy consumption for everyday users would be vastly decreased, resulting in much smaller energy bills, and the eco-conscious element of the bulbs means much less contribution to a person carbon footprint. The new LEDs also offer users improved control over aspects such as brightness and tone, which can be a unique selling point for purposes such as feature or commercial lighting.

The research is just the latest in a long-line of technology-enhancing projects regarding LED light bulbs that are commencing or coming to fruition. One such LED bulb that has recently been introduced, can even be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. These so-called ‘intelligent’ light bulbs are entirely controlled through WiFi systems. They can change colour at the touch of a button and the light levels across the home can be controlled from this one handheld focal point. Many companies are also undertaking research to make their bulbs brighter and more efficient for less energy, paving the way for LED light bulbs to become ubiquitous in years to come.

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