Good lighting design combines opportunities for using natural light (daylighting) with well-designed electric lighting, to provide energy-efficient (EE) lighting for rooms and tasks.

Light bulb technology has improved in recent decades, including efficient light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. LED bulbs are the most EE option and can also last more than twice as long as CFLs. Having old style (halogen) downlights added unwanted heat to a home, a problem of the past where installing 30-40 of them meant also having 30-40 little ‘heaters’ in the ceiling.

Allowing natural light to enter through windows, skylights, etc. can reduce energy use, though this daylighting also needs to be balanced with good thermal design to ensure that this sunlight does not increase the need for cooling inside the home.

Designing electric lighting well for specific tasks, as well as for general lighting of rooms, is more efficient than trying to make the entire room brightly lit. Positioning one light above a desk is better than having (say) 4 lights in a ceiling that are all behind the person at the desk and who then also struggles against their own shadow on their work.

The average Australian home contains 37 light bulbs. Choosing efficient and well-designed lighting saves significant amounts of energy and money.

Ways to increase Energy Efficiency (EE) in a home are:

• Install (more) EE appliances such as; ceiling fans, reverse cycle A/C + heating systems, heat-pump hot-water (HPHW) systems and timers. 
• HPHW (heat exchange) electric hot water systems are a very cost effective heated-water source and also elimiate the need for gas.
• Using appliances when the sun is shining gives free green power.
• Consider having all-electric (no gas) kitchen appliances, either for a new build, or with a retro-fit.
• A retro-fit example for higher EE is to replace a gas heater with a split-system (green energy powered) electrical unit for heating/ cooling.
• For new appliances, follow the sticker-guides on EE ratings when choosing.
• Consider that a cheaper non-EE appliance costs you more over time.
• Choose a quality appliances and look forward to years of lower running costs and lower emissions.
• Locate thermostats, with timers, in the most used rooms and away from sources of heat/ cold.
• Heat and cool only the rooms/ spaces used most, and close doors to other areas.
• Close drapes and blinds to manage sun rays and heat gain/ loss through windows.
• Purchase ‘green’ energy, such as from solar and hydro suppliers.
• Install solar panels (free green energy) and perhaps an in-home solar battery. 
• A home solar battery gives free green power when the sun is not shining.
• Adopt the latest technology to future-proof the home against energy shocks/rises.
• Change occupants human behaviour (and habits): this plays a big part is good daily decisions and actions.
• Charging an electric vehicle (EV) from a home’s solar panels gives free clean transport fuel and gives a good ROI from solar panels. 
• High-efficiency systems, such as LED lighting, greatly reduce energy consumption.