Switch to energy-saving light bulbs
Changing the way you light your home can make a real impact on the amount of energy you use. If you replace your light bulbs with longer lasting energy saving bulbs you'll save money, use less fuel and help reduce carbon emissions.
The problem
Standard light bulbs work by heating the filament to a white-hot temperature of 1,700 degrees Celsius.
The problem with today's standard bulbs is that approximately 95% of the power they use is emitted as heat, rather than as visible light. This means you end up using an awful lot of electricity to light your room.
What you can do
Energy saving light bulbs initially seem more expensive to purchase, but they more than pay for themselves over the course of their long lifetimes.
A typical energy saving bulb lasts 10 - 12 times longer than a standard bulb and uses much less electricity to produce the same amount of light.
In fact, most energy saving bulbs use between one-fifth and one-quarter of the power of an equivalent incandescent lamp.
Over a single energy saving bulb's lifetime you could save £35 in electricity and replacement costs. Imagine the savings you could make if you replaced every bulb in your home!
How to do it
Take the light bulb pledge and next time you need to replace a light-bulb, if your fittings allow, buy and install an energy saving bulb instead. Keep replacing your old bulbs until your whole home is illuminated with energy-efficient lighting.
They are no harder to fit than a regular bulb - in fact, given how long they last, you'll find that replacing light bulbs becomes a much rarer household chore.
M&S can help. As part of our new eco-home range we now offer a variety of energy saving light bulbs, including the Energy Saving Sensor Bulb which senses light conditions and switches itself on and off automatically.
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