Environment » Ban The Bulb!
Ban The Bulb!

EU MOVES TO BAN INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS ACROSS EUROPE

EU ministers have decided Incandescent lamps are to be completely phased out in order to improve energy efficiency and meet climate change targets across Europe.
The ‘Big Switch’ will affect all of the European Union's 500 million citizens and was first ordered at a Brussels summit last year as part of an ambitious energy policy to fight climate change. This was also when secretary of state for energy and climate change, of the time, Hilary Benn announced a proposed schedule for the UK to begin phasing out these lamps.
A meeting of EU energy ministers, including the new secretary of state for energy and climate change Ed Miliband decided to go ahead with the ban. Despite being seen as controversial in some circles.
Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent for the Telegraph reports: full article available here
'Traditional light bulbs are around 38p compared to £1.38 for the cheapest low energy models and campaigners have complained about affordability, as well as the cost of having to adapt fittings for the new bulbs.
The fluorescent bulbs generally take time to warm up and there have been complaints the light is too dim and has a tendency to flicker.
There are also worries over how the bulbs will be disposed of. Under new regulations for hazardous waste, councils are obliged to recycle low energy bulbs at considerable cost to the tax payer.
Incandescent filament light bulbs use up to five times as much energy as efficient lights such as "compact fluorescent lamps" (CFLs).
Advocates claim that replacing the worst-performing lamps with today's best available technology will reduce domestic energy consumption for lighting by 60 per cent in the EU, equivalent to saving 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.'



In fairness CFL technology has not had the best PR, now or in the past. In response Lighting Services would like to address some of the issues mentioned by Louise Gray:
Initial outlay on energy saving lamps will always be an area for consumers to overcome. It is important to note however that energy savings made on these products outstrip any investments, and in a period much shorter than the new lamp’s life length.
CFL technology is now much better than it has ever been but halogen energy savers now occupy the market for when a good light quality and aesthetic appearance are of most importance. Master Classics and Eco Classics offer a bright sparkling light, with low UV output. They can operate on dimmer systems and don’t differ in appearance from incandescent GLS shapes and candles. The Eco classic, whilst only offering a 30% energy saving does not cost a huge amount more than its incandescent predecessors.
The recycling of CFLs is also an issue that many people are in the dark on. Tax payers will not actually have to pay for any recycling costs. Each lamp purchased carries a small WEEE charge (what is WEEE?) which is used to fund its own recycling. Whilst still considered hazardous waste, due to the mercury inside, these lamps can be disposed of safely and easily at any local recycling centre. More information here.
Lighting Services welcomes the latest move by the EU. As a supplier it helps raise the awareness on the importance of saving energy and CO2 but also how helping to save the environment will reduce increasingly expensive energy bills.
It is important to us that people are aware of the latest technology and that replacing old out dated technology does not have to carry all the traditional sacrifices any more.