SAVING MONEY: Families can keep power bills under control by switching to new efficient lighting systems.

WINTER is a time when power bills grow exponentially and, with the launch of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), New Zealanders can expect household budgets to take another hit. It’s all enough to drive Kiwis underground in the vain hope that “she’ll be right” when the days are longer and the economy picks up.

Before Aucklanders lose all hope, the Electricity Commission has come up with a bright idea to help householders. One lucky resident can win a $10,000 energy-efficiency home makeover in a competition promoting the RightLight.govt.nz campaign.

RightLight has been developed to help people make informed decisions on the best lighting for their home or workplace. The commission says everyone can reduce the amount of lighting they use by switching to energy efficient lighting that looks good and also saves money.

The website offers practical, up-to-date information that’s truly independent and provides alternatives to suit different areas and uses. There are more options than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which produce a gloomy light until they warm up, and constant technological advances are producing a variety of efficient and effective lighting.

There is information about everything from halogen spotlights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are up to eight times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. LEDs are currently expensive to buy but cheap to run, and they are excellent for wall-fitting, foot-lights and outdoor lighting.

ADVANCED: New LEDs produce the right light in the right place. Images supplied.

People looking for design tips as well as advice on the best light for a particular application will benefit from surfing the website. There is a handy chart that helps homeowners determine which halogen or CFL bulb will best replace a traditional inefficient incandescent bulb.

“This competition will help get the message out in Auckland that there is now a huge range of efficient light bulbs available and people can make savings in every room in the house,” says Stuart Ross, the Electricity Commission’s efficient lighting manager.