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For Consumers

Switch and save

Person replacing incandescent lamp with an LED lamp

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Switch and save

You may want to replace a lamp for a range of reasons. While traditional (incandescent) lamps are cheap to buy, they cost more in the long run. The reverse is true for light emitting diode (LED) lamps.

Before you buy that new lamp, become familiar with energy efficiency and lamp costs.

Did you know,

  • households that replace ten halogen lamps with LEDs could save over $2,000 and three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 10 years
  • businesses that replace 1,000 inefficient LED tubes could save $30,000 and 85 tonnes of greenhouse gases emissions over 10 years.
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Energy efficiency

Efficient lamps last longer and cost less to run.

Energy efficiency, referred to as luminous efficacy, is calculated by dividing the number of lumens by watts.

The more lumens per watt, the higher the energy efficiency.

LED lamps are the most efficient, while incandescent, including halogen and tungsten lamps are the least efficient. Mains voltage halogen and tungsten lamps are phasing out in Australia over the next five years, from October 2025.

Lamp efficiency

Light Emitting Diode lamp

LED, most efficient

Light emitting diode lamps are the cheapest to run and last longer than other lamps. A good LED can last 5 to 15 times longer than a halogen and use around 75% less electricity.

Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamp

Carbon Fluorescent

Carbon Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are cheaper to run than halogen lamps but are not as cheap as LEDs. A CFL can last 3 to 8 times longer than a halogen.

Incandescent lamp

Incandescent, least efficient

Incandescent lamps are the most expensive to run and need to be replaced regularly.

Cost of a lamp over 15,000 hours (10 years)

Switching to LED lamps will save you energy and money. So how do you compare?

Understand how the efficiency and costs of different technologies compare with the Switch and Save chart.

Download the Switch and Save chart in PDF below, including a more detailed version Phase out of inefficient lamps, or use the accessible content.

Chart showing how much you could save by switching to more efficient lamp technologies

Switch and Save 

A guide to saving energy and money with efficient lighting

The following content is an accessible version of the Switch and Save chart.

General Lights (non-directional)

  • Lumens (how bright the light bulb is)
    Status Phased out To be phased out  Available now Available now Available now Available now
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Lumens (how bright the lightbulb is) 685 700 740 800 800 800
    Colour rating   Least efficient Inefficient Medium efficiency  Baseline efficient Very efficient Most efficient
  • Energy Efficiency
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Lumens per watt. Larger numbers means it uses less energy. 11.4 16.7 61.7 90.7 145 210
    Least efficient Inefficient Medium efficiency  Baseline efficient Very efficient Most efficient Least efficient

    Note the 9W LED Globe Base Level efficiency is aligned with the EU Ecodesign Lighting Minimum Energy Performance Standard.

  • Electricity Used
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Electricity used over 15,000 hours (kWh) 900 630 180 132 83 57
  • Lifespan
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Lifespan (hours) 1,000 2,000 6,000 15,000 25,000 50,000
  • Estimated price per bulb
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Estimated price per bulb $1.00 $5.00 $6.50 $6.00 $10.00 $18.00
  • Number of bulbs needed for 15,000 hours
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Number of bulbs needed for 15,000 hours 15 8 2 1 1 1
  • Estimated cost to run light bulb
    Light Bulb Type 60W Incandescent Globe (mains voltage) 42W Halogen Globe (mains voltage) 12W CFL Spiral Globe 9W LED Globe Base Level 5.5W LED Globe High Performer 4W LED Globe Highest Performer
    Estimated cost to run light bulb and replace the bulb over 15,000 hours. $348 $273 $86.10 $54.84 $40.83 $39.09

General Lights (directional)

  • Lumens (how bright the lightbulb is)
    Status To be phased out To be phased out  Available now Available now
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Lumens (how bright the lightbulb is) 650 330 880 380
    Colour rating   Least efficient Inefficient Efficient  Efficient

    Note that low voltage lamps such as G4 and MR16 downlights will not be phased out.

  • Energy Efficiency
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Lumens per Watt. Larger numbers means it uses less energy. 6.5 6.6 88 76
    Colour rating   Least efficient Inefficient Efficient  Efficient
  • Electricity Used
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Electricity used over 15,000 hours (kWh) 1,500 750 150 75
  • Lifespan
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Lifespan (Hours) 1,000 2,000 15,000 15,000
  • Estimated Price (per bulb)
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Estimated Price (per bulb) $4.25 $2.25 $13.95 $5.00
  • Number of bulbs needed for 15,000 hours
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Number of bulbs needed for 15,000 hours 15 8 1 1
  • Estimated Cost
    Light Bulb Type 100W Incandescent Directional Lamp (mains voltage e.g. R80) 50W Halogen Directional Lamp (mains voltage) 10W LED Directional Lamp (e.g. R80) 5W LED Directional Lamp
    Estimated cost to run light bulb and replace the bulb over 15,000 hours. $618.75 $295.50 $69.45 $32.75

Additional resources

Lighting

Learn about lamp regulation in Australia

Choosing the right lamp

Understand how you can choose the right lamp for your lighting needs

Health issues

Understand how your lamp choice can impact your health

Comparing lumens to watts

Work out what lamp you need based on lumens not watts
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