How to save on your energy bill

● Select the lowest acceptable wattage for all lights. More watts mean you use more power.

● Remember to turn lights off whenever you leave a room.That includes fluorescent lights, though very frequent turning on and off of these lights should be avoided because it shortens their life span.

● Use low-wattage lights for general room lighting, saving more powerful lights for places where you need to do close work.

● Remember that a low-wattage light placed closer to where it is needed is more efficient than using a stronger light placed further away.

● Avoid lights with multiple bulbs as they are inefficient – about six 25-watt bulbs are needed to match the output of one 100-watt bulb.

● Don’t install light fittings that obscure the light. Some can block up to 50 per cent of the light.

● Use timers or light or heat sensors to control outside lights.

● Install contact switches in cupboards so that lights go on when you open the cupboard and off when you close it.

● Use dimmer switches to reduce energy use.They can be attached to all incandescent light fittings, though you’ll need a special transformer for low-voltage halogen lamps.They do not work with fluorescent bulbs. If you constantly use dimmer light, put in a lower-wattage bulb.