Use More Energy Saving Light Bulbs Say BLT Direct

With so much emphasis being placed on saving energy, more and more households are being encouraged to use energy saving light bulbs around the home. However, recent figures suggest that the average household has used just half the energy saving bulbs they were supplied with.

As part of the government’s £3bn energy efficiency scheme, more than 42 million energy savers were sent out before Christmas, averaging ten per household. The average used, were around five.

Steven Ellwood, the Managing Director of BLT Direct, the leading energy saving light bulb suppliers, said: “It is worrying that people are not making the best use of the resources they are being provided with.

“We really need to start looking after our planet more and if energy saving bulbs help even a small way then we should all be making use of them, especially when they are being provided for free.”

The light bulb specialists stock a huge range of energy saving bulbs, including the Energy Saving Mini Spiral bulb, costing £4.91 including VAT for a nine watt bulb. The bulb comes in five, seven, nine, 11, 15, 18 and 20 watts, and can be used in lounges, hallways, bedrooms, wall lights and chandeliers. They also come in various colour temperatures and reduce heat output by 70 per cent, reduce UV output by 90 per cent and could save you a whopping 80 per cent in running costs. They have a running time of 8,000 hours.

Another example from their collection of energy saving bulbs is the Energy Saving My Planet Light Bulb. This little bundle of seven watt energy has an average life of a whopping 12,000 to 15,000 hours and can save you up to 80 per cent in running costs and costs just £2.93 including VAT.

In addition to this, they also do Energy Saving Halogen Replacement Bulbs, with prices starting from £10.90 including VAT for a 21 watt 118mm cool white bulb. They are designed as a direct replacement for linear halogen lamps and have built-in reflectors ensuring you get the best light output possible with the most energy saving results. They have an average shelf life of around 8,000 hours and their energy consumption compared to regular Tungsten Halogen Lamps is very low.

To browse the extensive range of energy saving bulbs, visit the BLT Direct website on http://www.bltdirect.com/ or telephone customer services on 01473 559 501.

About BLT Direct: BLT Direct are an online supplier of lighting solutions. They provide a wide range of lighting products, as well as light fittings and lamp disposal services, and are committed to offering energy efficient solutions to meet a wide range of home and business lighting needs.

Light bulb temperatures helping SAD sufferers

As energy efficient light bulbs continue to help us save the planet day by day; choosing light fittings with specific colour temperatures can also help those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? SAD is a type of winter-based depression that affects around seven per cent of the UK severely and a further seventeen per cent mildly. It is caused by a chemical imbalance due to the shorter and darker days that the winter seasons bring. Symptoms of SAD can include depression, lethargy, weight gain and an increase in the amount of time spent sleeping.

How do specific lamps help? By choosing a light bulb that burns high up the colour scale; six thousand kelvins or over (kelvins are the unit in which colour is measured), the light fittings will burn similar to the colours of summer and spring daylight. The illusion will help ease the symptoms for sufferers during the darker months.

BLT Direct offer fluorescent tubes, energy saving light bulbs and even halogen light bulbs in a range of colours. Steven Ellwood, spokesperson for BLT Direct says “The most effective light fitting for SAD sufferers would be the fluorescent tube lighting we offer clients; as these types of fittings light larger rooms such as kitchens and garages, which won’t often be lit by other sources or have smaller windows”

To browse the extensive range, or for advice on which light fittings to choose; visit the BLT Direct website on www.bltdirect.com or telephone customer services on 01473 559 501


About BLT Direct: BLT Direct are an online supplier of lighting solutions. They provide a wide range of lighting products, as well as light fittings and lamp disposal services, and are committed to offering energy efficient solutions to meet a wide range of home and business lighting needs.

Transform your home lighting

If you’re a landlord or tenant about to move into a new property, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will likely be looming large. Now mandatory for all properties being bought or leased, the certificate rates the home’s energy efficiency levels on a sliding scale from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient). A low rating can affect the home’s resale value and the rates commanded from tenants.

In order to make a rental property or house bought specifically for leasing further down the line as attractive as possible, there is one simple action that can contribute towards a more efficient rating – install energy efficient lightbulbs throughout the house. Energy efficient lighting can be used in every part of the home and with the huge range and expert advice available from the energy saving lighting experts BLT Direct, swapping out energy hungry incandescent bulbs for eco-friendly counterparts like the GU10 is the work of minutes.

Halogen GU10 bulbs are perfect for the kitchen and can be used to transform the cooking and food preparation areas in to the hub of the home. Combining colours and styles can personalise the lighting design – try fluorescent tubes for the main lights and then discreet under cupboard light bulbs for a more relaxing hue at meal times. Used as downlighters, a GU10 light bulb in a kitchen setting can last anything from 2000 to 5000 hours.

For the bathroom, replace harsh, dated overhead lights with any one of the range of IP65 rated bathroom downlighters, available in brass, white, chrome and brushed chrome. Available in low voltage and GU10 versions, the lights add a stylish touch and can transform the bathroom into a soothing sanctuary at the end of a busy day.

Energy saving light bulbs consume less power, emit less pollution and make less of an impact on the electricity bill. With a longer lamp life they also need replacing less, which makes them a much more economical choice all round. Visit the BLT Direct web site at www.bltdirect.com for more information on choosing energy efficient lighting for your home or workplace. You can also follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bltdirect

Prestigious office developments switch on to LED lighting

A slew of energy-efficient alternatives to traditional incandescent bulbs are enjoying a surge in popularity as the UK works to reduce its carbon footprint and meet EU guidelines. One of the early favourites in the race to become more energy efficient is the LED lighting.

The first all-LED lit office building in the UK takes the form of London’s prestigious Tower 42. Philips is the team behind the scenes responsible for revamping the entire building with LED lighting at Tower 42, otherwise famed as the tallest building in London.

Occupants of the prestigious offices will be saving an impressive 40 percent on energy with the utilisation of the latest energy-efficient LED lighting solutions. However, even more impressive is the LED system that is currently being installed in India’s Nagpur, replacing incandescent lamps at major traffic signals as part of the traffic improvement plan of the city. According to sources, the new LED lighting system will save an astronomical 90 percent on energy due to its low power consumption and longer life qualities.

Back in London, the Tower 42 project leads the way but more and more blue chip organisations and large office building management agencies are expected to follow the trend for installing LED lighting. It’s a major achievement that is set to help meet guidelines set at Copenhagen earlier this year.

Considering the energy and power consumed by big corporations across the United Kingdom, project Tower 42 is a great example of how one change can make a big difference. LED light bulbs (Light Emitting Diode) function as a cluster of individual units that produce white light. It is the exact combination of these units that yields the tone of the light. BLT Direct has taken a special focus on low energy light bulbs with its stock of LED light fittings and selection of LED light bulbs. As a cool alternative to the incandescent light bulb, the LED bulb not only saves energy but can last from 50,000 to 100,000 hours, while incandescent light bulbs last around 1000 hours. Devoid of fragile filament, the LED lightbulb is also shock resistant and durable.

With the bar raised, there is no doubt that office building management companies, large corporations and blue chip organisations will begin to consider a switch to LED lighting, making a significant contribution to reducing the UK’s carbon footprint while creating an positive public image.

About BLT Direct: BLT Direct are an online supplier of lighting solutions. They provide a wide range of lighting products, as well as light fittings and lamp disposal services, and are committed to offering energy efficient solutions to meet a wide range of home and business lighting needs.

Editor’s Note: BLT Direct is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Apple Jupp. Please direct all press queries to Rebecca Appleton. Email: rebecca@applejupp.com or call: 01623 600666.

UK on a roll to ban incandescent light bulbs and meet targets set at the Copenhagen Climate Summit

As we prepare for an energy efficient future, the demise of the incandescent light bulb is nigh. With just a year before the UK bans incandescent light bulbs for good, traditional light bulbs are being replaced by energy efficient alternatives, faster than you can say, “Copenhagen”. Already, 100-watt bulbs and frosted or pearled bulbs have been taken off the shelves. Next in line to vanish will be the 75 watt and 60 watt bulbs, followed by a ban on all remaining incandescent bulbs in September 2012.

BLT Direct is a passionate advocate of energy saving light bulbs and is reminding homeowners to act now to avoid being left in the dark as old style bulb supplies diminish. Many old style bulbs can be directly replaced with low energy and LED light bulb alternatives. The firm has developed a handy replacement guide available online, showing which new energy efficient bulb is most suited to replace old style incandescent lamps and fittings.

With many nations reaffirming their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint following December’s Copenhagen Climate Change summit, the UK is already well on its way with the planned ban on incandescent lightbulbs. The deadline for sale of the old style light bulbs and phasing out of some styles this year means homeowners will need to start replacing their bulbs ahead of the 2012 deadline.

BLT Direct is one of the web’s largest stockists of energy saving bulbs and low energy LED light bulbs and has a huge range of low energy, energy efficient and daylight energy saving light bulbs in various styles. Its GU10 lamp is a popular alternative to incandescent bulbs and one of the firm’s best selling energy saving bulbs. It’s a great choice for anyone making the switch from incandescent to energy saving as its huge range of suitable applications includes shop displays, kitchens, bathrooms, showrooms, reception areas, conference rooms, corridors, offices, hotels, restaurants and lounges. With an average life of between 8000 hours and 15000 hours (depending on the lamp) and an 80% saving on running costs, they are extremely energy efficient.

Visit the BLT Direct web site at www.bltdirect.com for more information on choosing energy efficient lighting for your home or workplace. You can also follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bltdirect

About BLT Direct: BLT Direct are an online supplier of lighting solutions. They provide a wide range of lighting products, as well as light fittings and lamp disposal services, and are committed to offering energy efficient solutions to meet a wide range of home and business lighting needs.

Editor’s Note: BLT Direct is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Apple Jupp. Please direct all press queries to Rebecca Appleton. Email: rebecca@applejupp.com or call: 01623 600666.

The ultimate guide to energy saving light bulbs

Pick a light bulb that’s right for you, right for the environment and right for your home. There’s more to it than you think. Stockists of some 10,000 variations of light bulb products, including light fittings, industry experts, BLT Direct know that sometimes, it’s difficult to know which product to choose for the best.

Passionate about energy-saving bulbs, the company’s new guide to saving energy and identifying a light bulb to suit both the environment and your personal requirements explains the difference between product types and why it‘s time you thought twice before adding one to your shopping cart.

Opt for energy saving bulbs: Good for pocket, good for environment. It’s the smart choice that will change the way you see your electricity bill while also saving energy.

The difference: Energy efficient light bulbs cost more than your regular incandescent bulb, however efficient use of electricity means a longer operating life. This leads to real cash savings which balances out the initial higher cost of the bulb.

Take your pick:
Regular incandescent light bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs use electricity to heat a filament until it glows white hot, producing light. About 90 percent of electricity used by incandescent light bulbs is lost as heat. These bulbs typically burn for 750 to 1,000 hours - or about three hours a day for a year.

Incandescent spotlights and floodlights
Used predominantly for outdoor purposes, these bulbs burn for about 2,000 hours.

Gu10 Halogen bulbs
Featuring a small capsule filled with Halogen gas, this type of bulb produces more light, uses less energy and lasts longer than your average incandescent bulb of the same wattage. Gu10 lightbulbs cost more yet last a good two to three years longer.

Fluorescent tubes
Preferable to the incandescent for saving energy, this type of product does not produce heat. Long, thin tubes, often seen in kitchens, a fluorescent tube will last on average 10 to 20 times longer than a traditional incandescent light bulb.

Compact fluorescent bulbs
Otherwise known as the energy-saving light bulb, these provide just as much light as your regular incandescent bulb while using just a quarter of the energy. An example would be a 15-watt energy saving bulb yielding the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent while lasting 10 times longer.

Fact!
If every household in the UK fitted just one energy saving light bulb, there would be enough electricity saved to power lighting in three million homes for an entire year.

The advantages of low energy light bulbs?
Small things come in powerful packages, so do not underestimate the complexity behind the energy saving light bulb! Ever-evolving technology has spawned a generation of light bulbs more sophisticated than we could ever have imagined. A clever example is the dimmable energy saving light bulb, which produces a fraction of the electricity needed, saving up £14 per year per bulb.

Think: Don’t forget to switch off the light before leaving a room to cut wastage and save on bills even more.

A point to remember: Not all energy saving light bulbs will work with electronic sensors, dimmers and timers. No excuses: Energy saving bulbs are available in a spectrum of shapes and sizes, including bayonet and screw fittings. If you prefer the traditional-look bulb, then there are even energy-saving versions of these - including stick type for the middle of the room and flat type for wall fittings.

What you can save per bulb: An energy saving bulb will cost £5 while a traditional option will cost just 50p. A great difference? You won’t be saying that in six months! Energy saving bulbs can accumulate £14 in savings per year. Over a typical lifetime, that’s £68 with costs recovered in six months.

Copenhagen Climate Summit, Are You Doing Your Bit Asks Light Bulb Firm BLT Direct

Around 15,000 delegates from 192 nations had recently descended on the Danish capital, Copenhagen for a fortnight long summit on climate change. As the world’s leaders gathered to discuss cutting global carbon outputs and set new targets for environmental change, one of the web’s top light bulb and energy efficient light bulb e-tailors urged shoppers to do their bit to curb emissions and reduce damage to the environment.

BLT Direct is one of the web’s largest stockists of energy saving bulbs and low energy LED light bulbs and is a passionate advocate of the energy efficient alternative to traditional bulbs. The firm launched an information initiative 12 months ago to educate home owners and businesses on the benefits of switching to energy saving bulbs. It has published a series of online guides and articles over the course of the last year on the range and benefits of energy efficient lighting. The web site has also developed a unique bulb finder tool to show clients quickly and easily the most appropriate energy efficient alternative to their existing lightbulbs.

A company spokesman said “We should all be concerned about the impact we have on the environment around us. Switching to a low energy lightbulb or replacing a traditional bulb with an energy saving LED alternative is an easy way to make a difference. An energy saver emits less pollution as it consumes energy more efficiently, making them kinder to the planet and kinder to the pocket.

“Energy saving light bulbs have come a long way over the last few years and you can now replace most bulbs with a more efficient lamp. We stock a huge range of low energy, energy efficient and daylight energy saving light bulbs in various styles so we’re confident that we can help everyone do their bit.”

Visit the BLT Direct web site at www.bltdirect.com for more information on choosing energy efficient lighting for your home or workplace.

About BLT Direct: BLT Direct are an online supplier of lighting solutions. They provide a wide range of lighting products, as well as light fittings and lamp disposal services, and are committed to offering energy efficient solutions to meet a wide range of home and business lighting needs.

Editor’s Note: BLT Direct is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Apple Jupp. Please direct all press queries to Rebecca Appleton. Email: rebecca@applejupp.com.