Ten days left to buy traditional lightbulbs: EU ban means only low-energy ones will be on sale

Published 22nd Aug 2009

Traditional lightbulbs will disappear from our shops in just ten days.

All conventional pearl, incandescent lightbulbs are being banned by the European Union to slash energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions.

The move covers every type of frosted traditional bulb, from the 60 watt pearl bulbs used in table lamps to more specialised opaque 25 and 40 watt bulbs shaped like golf balls and candles.

Clear and frosted 100 watt lightbulbs will also not be on sale from September 1.

The measure, introduced with little fanfare, aims to force consumers to fit energy-saving lights.

The Department for Environment said a typical home will save at least £37 a year on electricity bills by fitting low-energy fluorescent and halogen bulbs.

Ministers said the move will also slash national carbon emissions by five million tons a year.

But independent retailers and critics believe the change has been rushed and badly advertised. They also claim that many of the low-energy alternatives are ugly, expensive and produce unpleasant light.

In January, leading retailers announced a voluntary ban on the sale of 100 watt lightbulbs, triggering stockpiling and panic buying. However, independent stories have continued selling them.

Elsewhere, Germans, Austrians and Hungarians are hoarding the energy-hungry bulbs. Sales of incandescent light bulbs have risen by 34 per cent year-on-year in Germany in the first six months of 2009, German consumer research group GfK found.

Under the European Directive, manufacturers in Europe will not be able to sell the banned bulbs to retailers. It will also be illegal to import energy-guzzling bulbs from outside the EU.

Independent retailer James Shortridge, owner of the Ryness chain, said customers were stockpiling frosted lightbulbs and 100 watt bulbs to beat the ban. He said: 'If you are sensitive to light, you will notice the difference.

'People aren't aware that the 100 watt and 60 watt pearl bulbs are going - it's a huge change.'

After the ban, householders will have to buy one of two low-energy alternatives. The most economical to run are CFLs - compact fluorescent lights. They cost around £3 each, use a fifth of the energy of a conventional incandescent bulb and can fit every type of socket.

Dimmable CFLs that work in dimmer switches are available, but cost more than £15 each. In theory, they should last six or seven years.

Critics said the light of many CFLs is inferior, some describing them as sickly, harsh or green. They can also take a minute to reach full brightness.

Manufacturers have also created low-energy halogen bulbs which look like traditional bulbs.

These work with dimmer switches, have a warmer light but save just 30 per cent of energy. These are not available as frosted bulbs and last only a couple of years.

Traditional bulbs are being phased out gradually to allow manufactures to adapt. Europe plans to phase out 60 watt clear lights from September 2011.

A Government spokesman said: 'There are many myths around low-energy bulbs. People don't always realise they have improved beyond recognition.'

Source: ' Daily Mail '

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