Save Long Term when you Switch to LED

Every penny counts this autumn with the price cap for energy bills increasing 86% from 28p/kWh in September to 52p/kWh in October, significantly changing the cost of electricity bills and affecting the lives of millions in the UK. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you save money on your electricity by converting to LED lighting throughout your house. Read on to see all the cost-effective ways you can be more energy efficient in your home when you need it most.

LED vs Halogen and Incandescent.

According to the Sunday Times on the 28^th of August 2022, you can save up to £500 a year when you switch from Incandescent or Halogen Bulbs to LED light bulbs. This works by the higher the wattage of a bulb the more energy it uses therefore costing you more money per hour to keep it running.

The average wattage of each type of bulb is as follows:

• Incandescent – 60W
• Halogen – 25W - 40W
• LED – 5W – 15W

With LED being the lowest wattage by far, it is also the most efficient and low cost to light your home with. One bulb may not make all the difference but with the average household averaging 10-20 light bulbs, this can all add up to make great savings when your whole house is converted to LED.

If your light fittings are G9 cap type LEDs, you can even find bulbs that are as low as 2.5W as they are smaller and more compact while still offering a fantastic glow.

You also can save money on replacing bulbs, as halogen and incandescent bulbs only last around 1000-2000 hours in lifespan, you can find yourself out of pocket having to replace them more often, whereas with LED bulbs they have a lifespan of 25,000 hours meaning you will spend a lot less money replacing them in the long term.

Integrated LED Lighting.

If you’re a homeowner and are able to change the light fixtures in your house, integrated LED lighting can be a fantastic investment for saving money on energy bills and light bulbs in the long run as no light bulbs are required.

LED integrated lights are the peak of modern styling and come in a variety of finished and styles to suit most interior decors and colour schemes. Some of our favourite finishes are chrome to suit contemporary styles, black for modern and monochrome, and brass for retro, vintage, or eclectic glamour.

One of our particularly popular fittings is the Lois 10 Light Semi Flush Ceiling Light in Brass, with flush and semi flush fittings being ideal for lower ceilings. We also have a range of LED bathroom lights so that you can be sure that every room can be as energy efficient as possible.

LED Compatible Lights.

For those who are looking to save money but aren’t into the LED integrated style, we have an even wider variety of LED compatible lighting. These are lights that usually take Halogen and LED bulbs up to a maximum wattage, meaning that if they are paired with LED bulbs they can be just as energy efficient as LED integrated lighting.

LED compatible lighting can come in all the shapes, sizes, styles, and colours that you could imagine, from table lamps, to chandeliers, everyone can save money on their electricity bills and not have to compromise on looks or style.

One of our top picks for accent lighting is the Tizzo Retro Vessel Table Lamp in Blue, this table light is a plug in so that you don’t need to hire an electrician to install the light, and it comes with a free globe shaped tinted LED light bulb. Making your expenses minimal so that you can have low-cost energy efficient accent lighting that is long lasting.

LED table light styles are ideal for bedside tables, shelves, side boards, and dressing tables.

Vintage Style Filaments

With bulbs often being visible from within your light fitting, whether it’s from underneath a lightshade, a completely exposed design, or a sconce style design, many people are put off LED bulbs by the misconception that they all look like the standard opal white GLS bulbs which often doesn’t match the style of more decorative lighting.

However, there are also LED vintage style filament light bulbs, these come in all difference shapes such as candle bulbs to create that classic chandelier or wall light look, as well as a variety of tear drop shapes, and globe shapes, looking ideal when styled with pendant fittings on either side of a bed or couch. These bulbs also come in clear or champagne tints, offering either a clear crisp illumination, or a warm toned glow for a more atmospheric feel. These bulbs will work with any LED compatible lights and come in a variety of cap types such as B22 and E27 in order to fit any bulb holder.

Does your home need an energy efficient upgrade?

We hope this guide has helped you prepare for the coming energy price cap increase and has inspired you to switch to LED and save money in the long term without having to compromise on your style.

For more top tips on lighting visit our blog page here. Alternatively follow us on social media @bhs_uk for all the latest in lighting, interior design, and savings.