EnergyAustralia energy efficiency expert Paul Myors said any delay in shifting to the new bulbs would cost homes money and delay cuts to household greenhouse emissions.

“Compact fluorescent globes shine just as bright as standard bulbs, last up to 10 times longer and use 80 per cent less energy,” Mr Myors said.

The analysis comes in the lead-up to the national ban on sales of incandescent light bulbs that begins next month.

Mr Myors said many households had already embraced the energy saving bulb, with more than 800,000 homes estimated to have received or installed them in NSW and the ACT.

“However, our own research shows that 70 per cent of households still have at least one traditional incandescent globe in their main living area.

“These globes have been used in our homes for 125 years, and 90 per cent of the power they use is wasted as heat. There is no need to wait to make the switch, you’ll be saving money and reducing greenhouse emissions.”