Brits urged to do simple swap to cut down electricity use by 80% this winter

UK households, grappling with steep energy prices this winter, are searching for ways to trim their monthly expenditure.

One significant uptick in consumption during the colder months is household lighting. As a result of shorter days and extended nights, there's a higher reliance on artificial lighting after dusk.

Industry professionals suggest that an immediate and impactful measure to decrease electric bill outlays in these protracted evenings is the switch to LED light bulbs. Standing apart from traditional incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, LEDs guzzle remarkably less power making them an economical investment for savvy homes.

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The Energy Saving Trust extols the virtues of LEDs, citing their supreme energy efficiency. They say "LED bulbs are incredibly energy efficient, consuming up to 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and around 25-30% less than CFLs. This efficiency translates into lower energy costs.

"You can save up to £3 per year for every traditional halogen bulb you switch to a similarly bright LED bulb, equivalent to around 5kg of CO2 emissions."

They also suggest, "If the average UK household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £100 and save about £35 a year on bills."

LEDs are widely available in UK supermarkets, hardware shops and online retailers, so it’s simple to find bulbs that suit every room in your home.

The home efficiency experts at MakeMyHouseGreen also agree that swapping out your old lightbulbs could make a big difference to your energy consumption. CEO Llewellyn Kinch believes lighting can significantly impact energy use, especially in small spaces.

He said: “LED bulbs use up to 85% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and last longer, making them a cost-effective choice. By switching to LED lighting, you could see substantial reductions in energy bills, on the cheap. What’s more is that they’re available in warm tones, maintaining a cosy winter atmosphere without the energy drain."

And for an extra tip – remember to turn off your lights when you’re not using them. This will help reduce the amount of energy you use every day and could even knock up to £15 a year off your energy bill.