ENERGY prices have fallen this month but that doesn't mean bills are much cheaper.
Households looking to save a few more pounds should consider making a few adjustments to their lifestyle and the way they use energy in the house.
Kate Baker, light and wellness advisor at 4lite shared the effective changes you can make to the lights in your home that will significantly reduce your energy consumption, and therefore cost you less.
She says: "Banishing costly, energy-guzzling bulbs from the home can make a big difference to your energy consumption and therefore your bills.
"Saving hundreds of pounds off your home energy bills can be as simple as changing a light bulb."
Make the LED switch
Making changes to save money doesn't have to be complicated – and using a specific kind of bulb can make a huge difference.
Read more money saving tips
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Kate says: "Modern LEDs are the most eco-friendly bulbs on the market, using a dazzling 85 per cent less energy.
“LED bulbs are incredibly energy efficient and use considerably less electricity.
"They may cost a little more initially but the payback is fast – plus they are long lasting so they won’t need replacing so often.
"In addition, taking the next step by upgrading to LED smart bulbs can revolutionise your home lighting as well as save you even more.
"LEDs brighten instantly and power for 25,000 hours or more.
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"Used for six hours a day, that’s nearly 12 years so you’ll not only be saving money on your energy bills, you won’t need to replace them nearly so often.
"They are also completely free from toxic chemicals and generate virtually no heat so they are cool to touch, safer for the home."
Location, location, location
Where you position your lights is also important.
Kate says: "LEDs offer a much more focused light distribution meaning you can get more, for less.
"If you’re in the market for new light fittings, plan the layout carefully.
"Fewer, well-placed bulbs will illuminate your home more effectively, directly the light exactly where you need it and negating the need for several halogens."
Set light schedules
Every minute your lights are on costs money.
Kate says: "Smart lights can be scheduled to turn on and off at set times of day or even when the sunsets.
"Smart scheduling means your lights are only on when you need them to be – and not a moment longer.
"Easy-to-install motion sensors means your lights only turn on when you enter a room, and turn off when you leave.
"A good choice for hallways so your lights switch on when you come home or if you want to avoid outdoor lights being left on accidentally.
"It’s also a perfect solution for families whose children are too small to reach the light switch or if you only want a landing light to turn on if they wake up overnight."
Turn the lights off!
It's so simple, but SO effective – turning lights off when not in use obviously has a huge impact, and if you invest in smart lighting, it's never been easier.
Kate says: "If your home is lit up like a Christmas tree, smart lighting enables you to switch off unwanted lights without even leaving the sofa.
"Also ideal if you’re in bed or have gone out and you can’t remember if you left the kitchen light on.
"If you’re relaxing in the evening, you’re inevitably going to need less light than if you’re concentrating on a task.
"And the same applies for a gloomy day compared to the evening.
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"With smart lighting, you can adjust the colour and brightness of your lights according to light levels, what you’re doing or even your mood.
"You can even set the brightness to slowly adjust automatically over the course of the day."
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