Energy efficient bulbs light up 84% of Kiwi homes

The study, conducted for the Commission by BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand), shows that, on average, a quarter of the New Zealand home is now energy-efficiently lit, as Kiwis take advantage of the wide range of lighting options on offer.

The environment is also profiting from the growing popularity of efficient lighting with the 12 million energy-saving bulbs in the 1.61 million homes included in the survey, preventing the emission of up to 190,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year -- the equivalent of taking 43,000 vehicles off the road.

“Most New Zealanders now recognise that inefficient lighting has been adding greatly to household power bills. Ultimately, changing out all of the old bulbs across the country could save householders a total of some $245 million a year,” said David Caygill, Chair of the Electricity Commission.

“With energy-efficient light bulbs now the replacement norm in New Zealand homes, the average household is already saving $120 in electricity charges every year.”

The report’s key findings are:

• Around 84 per cent of homes in New Zealand have at least one energy efficient light bulb.
• In the past 2 years, approximately 6 million energy-efficient bulbs have been sold nationwide. 
• Of approximately 50 million bulbs in use in New Zealand, around 12 million are energy-efficient  compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), fluorescent tubes or efficient halogen bulbs.
• The average New Zealand home contains 30 bulbs, of which 18 are incandescent, 6 are CFL, 1 is fluorescent and the remainder are other types.
• There are five more CFL bulbs per home than in 2004.
  

The report reveals electricity savings are the key motivation for Kiwis purchasing energy-efficient bulbs. 

“A good quality CFL uses 80% less electricity, so New Zealanders are saving over $100 in energy costs over a bulb’s lifetime,” Mr Caygill said.

“While incandescents cost only around $1, they last for just 1,000 hours compared to 6,000 hours for a CFL costing $7.

“There are also now great-looking, energy-efficient lighting options for almost every common household use, including kitchen, bathroom and living areas.”

Consumers could find out how to reduce their power bills at www.rightlight.govt.nz, he said.

“Our research showed consumers wanted more impartial information on which to base lighting decisions, so the Electricity Commission teamed up with Consumer NZ, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Master Electricians and the Green Building Council to establish the RightLight programme,” Mr Caygill said. 

“We have been delighted with the response from consumers. Currently, hits on the website are running at over 20,000 visitors per month.”

 A copy of the BRANZ report is available at www.electricitycommission.govt.nz

For more information:

Stuart Ross
Programme Manager Efficient Lighting, Electricity Commission
+ 64 4 460 8841   

Tui MacDonald
Marketing and Communications
BRANZ
+64 4 238 1323

Notes to editors
Rightlight is an industry-wide initiative to reduce energy consumption for lighting by providing information and tools to help Kiwis choose the right light bulb for any situation.

The survey was performed with recognised techniques as a representative sample of the 1.61 million homes (but excludes holiday homes and homes under construction in 2006) in New Zealand with the sample drawn from census data using the 5 major urban population centres and 8 cluster sites distributed throughout the country.

As well as phone interviews, experts also carried out physical assessments of current lighting.

The survey encompassed 140 New Zealand homes, including apartments, stand-alone homes, rental- and owner-occupied homes, a range of home ages and 26 different bulb technologies.

BRANZ is an independent and impartial research, testing, consulting and information company providing services and resources for the building industry.