With all the gloomy statistics of the cost of living crisis rearing their ugly heads, it can feel as though a pretty bleak winter is coming… But there are ways to take back control this winter and make simple changes that can significantly reduce your energy bills with our energy-saving tips!

First, become well acquainted with how much you spend on your energy bills. Get familiar with this number and the expected rise; it’s helpful to be vigilant. Ask questions like how much are my energy bills going up.

Make the switch.

Next, you’ll need to pick the right bulbs. Not to sound like a broken record, but changing to low-energy bulbs instead of Halogen bulbs is a great solution to lowering your energy bills. Despite the larger number on the price tag, the overall effect of LEDs is monumental, reducing your bills up to 10 times! A typical LED bulb is estimated to last up to 50,000 hours, equating to around 5 and a half years. It is estimated that in 2021 there were around 54 million halogen bulbs still in circulation in the UK alone. We urge you to make the switch and start saving money on your energy bills.

So…they last longer than a standard bulb, but what else? LED bulbs have a better light output and can function on a much lower voltage than a halogen bulb. The halogen bulb loses a significant amount of energy through heat output, whereas the LED instantly gains 100% brightness as soon as it is turned on. Lights shouldn’t have to have a warm-up period. Not exactly helpful for reducing bills but LED bulbs are a little easier on the eye, with various shapes and sizes to match the style of your room. Take a look at our collection of energy-efficient LED bulbs, all rated A and above.

Shop bulbs.

Switch off!

The next piece of advice has been drilled into us since we were at school: to turn your lights off when leaving a room. Advice that could save a monumental £20 a year on your energy bills. Luckily our lights look good on and off!

Get your feather duster out!

Another energy-saving tip is to make sure you keep your bulbs and light fittings clean to maximise light exposure. (Make sure you use a clean dry cloth when cleaning your bulbs!) Furthermore, consider transparent shades to avoid the lampshade absorbing too much of the light output - we recommend our glass dome pendant ceiling light!

Solar power

For outside lights, try switching to solar energy instead of relying on the mains or using sensors/timers to make sure they are only lit when completely necessary. Solar panels work all four seasons of the year however with shorter days they produce less energy in the winter months.

Reduce

Be smart with your lighting arrangements, do you need a ceiling light and a lamp too? Don’t overdo the number of bulbs - look up how many lumens you need to light a room and use that! A medium-sized living room will need about 2000 lumens for a bright light. That is the equivalent to 10 of our G9 bulbs. For over a dining table you should only need 540 lumens, which is only 3 of our G9 bulbs. Shopping smarter will help your bills in the long run.

Fortunately for us, our lights look good on and off, but that is not helpful in the depths of Winter…so we hope that these considerations help. Take a look at our lovely selection of lights…