The traditional light bulb has not changed for over a hundred years since Edison and Swan - the time of Queen Victoria - and these bulbs waste 95% of electricity as heat.
Background
The traditional light bulb has not changed for over a hundred years since Edison and Swan - the time of Queen Victoria - and these bulbs waste 95% of electricity as heat.
The Government and the Energy Saving Trust have been working with all major retailers who sell light bulbs, the lighting industry and UK energy suppliers to phase out traditional energy guzzling bulbs, replacing them with energy efficient light bulbs. This activity is known as the UK Voluntary Retailers Phase Out initiative.
Under the voluntary initiative most major UK retailers have ceased to replace their stock of bulbs over 75W since January 2009. From January 2010 the voluntary initiative will expand to include bulbs of 60W and over, and from January 2011 40W bulbs plus 40 & 60W candles will be included.
This UK Voluntary Retailers Initiative has been operating in advance of the EU-wide mandatory Phase Out of Incandescent bulbs that will begin on the 1st of September 2009 and was agreed by EU Member States in December 2008.
What will happen on 1 September 2009?
On 1 September 2009 all clear lamps equivalent to 100W incandescent lamps, or above, must be minimum C class energy rating.
Non-clear (frosted / pearl) lamps must be minimum A-class irrespective of wattage. The UK Voluntary Retailers Initiative has not affected frosted or pearl bulbs so the EU Phase Out will apply and over ride the UK voluntary scheme for all wattages.
This means that retailers will no longer be able to place orders for light bulbs to come into the EU that do not meet the requirements set out by the EU above after 1 September 2009.
What does this mean for the man or woman on the street?
The Phase Out that commences on 1 September does not mean that all 100W traditional GLS bulbs will be removed from shelves and disappear overnight. As retailers sell off their existing stock they will not be able to replace it - they will be phased out. Now is the time to encourage citizens to explore what energy saving alternatives are out there to replace the traditional light bulbs they have in their homes.
The role for Energy Saving Trust advice centres
This is a great opportunity for Energy Saving Trust advisors to sell the benefits of energy saving lighting and educate people about the range of Energy Saving Recommended bulbs that are now available.
The UK public largely associate energy saving lighting with stick CFLs sent out by energy companies. This practice is being stopped by Government as many of these light bulbs end up in people's cupboards or under the sink because they are simply not fit for all uses.
The Energy Saving Trust's Advisor fact sheets and consumer lighting brochure, ' A bright idea has got even better', clearly outline what kind of energy saving bulb replaces their traditional counter part.
Key messages
1. Energy saving light bulbs save energy - Fitting energy saving light bulbs throughout the home can save people on average around £37 per year and £590 over the lifetime of the bulbs.
2. Energy saving light bulbs are now available in a range of shapes, sizes and fittings to suit almost every need - not just the 'stick shape' people may have received for free.
3. Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo to ensure that the products are amongst the best quality bulbs available. Amongst the testing requirements are life, colour temperature and their ability to start quickly.
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