Energy Saving Light Bulbs: The Facts, not Fiction
With the recent announcement from the Chancellor on the phasing out of GLS light bulbs by 2011, discussion surrounding the benefits of converting to low energy lighting is at the top of the news agenda. The Lighting Association, on behalf of the UK Lighting industry, would like to clarify the misconceptions surrounding GLS light bulbs so that consumers are armed with the correct facts when making the decision to purchase Compact Fluorescent energy efficient light bulbs.
Facts about the Announcement
The initiative to phase out the basic ‘A’ shaped, old fashioned general lighting service (GLS) light bulbs comes from a joint and voluntary initiative between the UK lighting industry, retailers and the Government.
Discussion with the Government began in September 2006. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury John Healey MP and the Minister of State for Climate Change, Ian Pearson MP, have encouraged and supported The Lighting Association in this initiative and gained commitment from the retailers.
The proposed phase out will only cover the basic ‘A’ shaped GLS at this stage; candle bulbs, golf ball or mini globe bulbs and other decorative and special incandescent bulbs will come much later.
Frequent Switching reduces the life of energy efficient light bulbs : Fiction
An Energy efficient light bulb life is no longer affected by switching. The current standards for ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ accreditation requires over 3,000 switching cycles per 8,000 hours of tested life which is many more than would be necessary for normal domestic use. For special applications such as hallways in flats and lights in corridors activated by motion sensors, some manufacturers produce ‘heavy duty’ Energy efficient light bulbs with up to 500,000 switching cycles capability and 15,000 hours life!
Energy efficient light bulbs are too big : Fiction
The latest generations of Energy efficient light bulbs offered by the major manufacturers are no longer very large. In some cases, they are slightly smaller than their GLS equivalent and with the new classic shapes look almost the same as GLS bulbs.
Energy efficient light bulbs need to be left switched on for more than 45 minutes as they consume so much energy when first switched on
There is no reason to keep a Energy efficient light bulb switched on for longer than a normal GLS bulb as they do not consume any greater energy during start up and run very efficiently immediately after the first 2 or 3 seconds. CFLs give a colder colour light than ordinary bulbs: Under the Energy Saving Trust’s ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ accreditation, CFLs have to emit the same warm light level as GLS bulbs - between 2600 and 2800 degrees kelvin.
CFLs flicker with a stroboscopic effect. I’ve heard they switch on and off 50 times per second : Fiction
CFLs give a constant, flicker free, non-stroboscopic light. They operate at high frequency through their electronic controller at between 30,000-50,000 hertz (normal mains voltage cycles at just 50 hertz or cycles per second).
You can’t dim Energy efficient light bulbs : Fiction
There are new lamps available right now that you can dim on ordinary domestic dimmer switches or alternately by staged dimming using a standard light switch. The number of these types of products is increasing.
Energy efficient light bulbs are more dangerous : Fiction
CFLs are much safer to use in confined areas as they produce very little heat when compared to the very hot GLS bulbs. They are much safer where children are concerned and many are now used in children’s light fittings for this reason.
CFLs burn so much cooler that there will be no more browned or burnt lampshades or nasty scorch marks on ceilings : Fiction
Some Energy efficient light bulbs seem to start very slowly, don’t give the light they promise or don’t last as long as they claim. Beware of poor quality, cheap lamps. Make sure that you only buy CFLs with the ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ logo on the box from the major manufacturers. This will show that they are of the very best quality and have received independent third party accreditation in meeting light output and life standards. Quality CFLs give instant light although do take a short time to warm up to full brightness, particularly in a cold space. However if they carry the ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ logo, they will reach at least 60% of their full brightness in 60 seconds.
There are no longer any reasons why we should be negative towards energy saving light bulbs - they will last between 6 and 15 years depending on which wattage and product type you choose (there are many differing life/purchase price permutations on the market today). You will save a minimum of 75% of the energy you would burn with an old fashioned GLS bulb, estimated to be up to £9 per year by the Energy Saving Trust. By phasing out the basic GLS light bulb we can save the amount of electricity produced by two atomic power stations per year. Surely, this makes all our efforts worthwhile; a win/win for the environment and for your energy costs.