Lighting

Down lights are energy wasters

They are low voltage, not low wattage. We are charged for watts, not volts. Each down light uses 50 watts plus around 12 watts in the transformer on the top. Some rooms have twenty of them. They are a fire hazard if not installed properly and put holes in the insulation, leading to further bill hikes in heating.  Replace them with 35 watt versions, compact fluoro versions or other energy efficient alternatives.

Incandescent Bulbs are about to become extinct

The old standard. These were really exciting when Thomas Edison first invented them. They are now way out of date as they consume far too much energy for the job they do.

Compact Fluorescent Globes

They use 80% less energy than the old incandescent bulbs, last thousands of hours longer and have come way down in price and way up in performance since they entered the market a decade ago.  They save money and energy. The reason they will soon be overtaken in the market is that they contain a small amount of mercury gas, which does not fit in a future sustainable world. They cannot be disposed of in landfill. Recycling and recovery programs need to be established.

LEDs

This is the future. LEDs last thousands of hours longer than compact fluoros and use 95% less energy than the old incandescent bulbs. They are undergoing major technology improvements. Right now they don't quite provide the light we need and are a bit too expensive. They are great for outside lighting, halls, front and back doors and other areas that don't need too much brightness.

Security Lighting

Use motion sensor lights and buy low watts.

Fluorescent Lighting

Triphosphor globes use the same amount of energy (36 watts) as the old mercury globes, but give 30% more light.