Obviously there is a relationship between the length of time your lights are on each day and the energy used. Switching to energy efficient bulbs will save energy and money as well as reducing CO2. Typically just one energy saving light bulb could save you between £3 and £6 a year, and because it will last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb, it could save you around £40 before it needs replacing.

Even taking into account the higher initial cost of energy saving light bulbs changing all the lights in your home to use energy saving bulbs could save you around £37 a year potentially £590 over the lifetime of all of the bulbs.

Energy saving light bulbs use a fifth to a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light. So where you'd normally use a 60W bulb, you'll only need a 13-18W energy saving recommended equivalent.

Types of energy saving light bulb

There are the following energy saving light bulbs out there:

·                          Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): these are the most common energy saving light bulbs and come in stick shape, candle shape, small or medium screw and bayonet fittings.

·                          Energy saving halogen light bulbs: a good option if you have halogen lights in your home. They consume around 30% less electricity than standard halogen bulbs.

·                          LED lights: these have progressed rapidly in recent years and can now be used to replace existing halogen spotlights.

To make sure a bulb is energy saving, check the packet for the Energy Saving Recommended logo.