Kiwis throwing away millions in electricity saving

Kiwis throwing away millions in electricity savings

New Zealand households are paying at least $129 million a year more than they need to in electricity charges by using inefficient light bulbs, according to new statistics released today.

Electricity Commission chair, David Caygill, said the statistics showed that despite rapid uptake of energy-efficient light bulbs, nearly 90% of NZ homes still had older-style bulbs in over half the sockets.

One home in six had no compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) fitted and were missing out completely on the opportunity to cut power bills, Mr Caygill said.

“The cost savings from using energy efficient lighting are significant – for some technologies more than $100 over the lifetime of a single bulb,” said Mr Caygill.

“We are refocusing the RightLight campaign to promote the message that there is now an efficient bulb for almost every light in the house and to help consumers purchase the right energy efficient light bulbs to cut their costs, reduce electricity consumption and postpone the need for spending on new energy infrastructure.”

The RightLight.govt.nz programme, a partnership between the Electricity Commission, Consumer NZ, the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority, Master Electricians and the Green Building Council, provides New Zealanders with all the information they need to make good lighting choices, as well as interactive tools for evaluating costs and potential savings, he said.

It also addresses common misconceptions over health, safety, environmental and aesthetic issues.

The wide range of bulbs for different applications now includes halogens, LEDs and CFLs, and attractive designs, colours and shapes to suit different settings, he said. Dimmer bulbs are also available, Mr Caygill said. Examples include:

• CFLs offering major energy savings in high use areas such as lounge, dining and family rooms in covered and dimmable forms
• New generation halogen bulbs looking just like the older style light bulbs, ideal for areas such as cupboards and hallways where lights are on for short periods of time, or for use on dimmers
• Fluorescent tubes in an increasing range of sizes and shapes designed for use over kitchen work benches and bathroom mirrors.

ENDS

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