A global switch to efficient lighting systems would trim the world's electricity bill by nearly one-tenth. This is the conclusion of the first global survey of lighting uses and costs conducted by the International Energy Agency.

Carbon emissions saved by this switch would dwarf cuts so far achieved by adopting wind and solar power. Better building regulations would boost the uptake of efficient lighting.

"Nineteen percent of global electricity generation is taken for lighting - that's more than is produced by hydro or nuclear stations, and about the same that's produced from natural gas," said Paul Waide, a senior policy analyst with the IEA and one of the report's authors.

Incandescent light bulbs, invented a century and a quarter ago, still produce almost half of the light used in homes around the world. Although it is a seemingly timeless invention, it's time for change. Incandescent light bulbs are inefficient, converting only 5% of all the energy it receives into light.

The biggest consumer is the florescent tube. Commercial and public sector buildings account for 43% of the electricity used for lighting, and it's here where florescent tubes are most used.

Energy efficient lighting seems like such an obvious solution that it's a wonder why we haven't completely switched already.

"There is no single panacea," said Dr Waide. "What we suggest is setting up a comprehensive set of policies. "There is a strong case for introducing lighting measures into building codes. Currently codes have a lot of energy measures in them, but with few exceptions there aren't specific provisions for lighting." For the individual home owner or business, the clear solution is to get rid of the incandescent bulbs and replace them with compact florescent systems, also known as “energy-saving bulbs”. Compact florescent systems last longer than incandescent bulbs and use less energy. You might have to use one compact florescent system to every ten incandescent bulbs.

Switching to energy saving lighting in your home is the obvious choice. Policy measures and individual action to bring the switch would slash 38% from the global electricity bill for lighting by 2030.