The Electricity Commission is set to spend more than $22 million over the next three years developing an energy efficiency programme.

It says a $2.2 million pilot will focus on consumer investment in more efficient domestic lighting, hot water heating, refrigeration and commercial lighting.

Commission chair Roy Hemmingway says New Zealand residential properties are relatively energy inefficient and finding ways to lower the cost of power is a priority.

He says convincing people to replace their everyday light bulbs with fluorescent ones will be one of the main target areas.

Hemmingway says if the energy efficiency pilot programme is successful, a further $19 million is earmarked to put it in place nationwide.