A simple guide to the incandescent light bulb ban.
The EU directive (EC 244-2009) set out a timetable for phasing out incandescent and halogen light bulbs. In the spring of 2022, the European Commission revised the RoHS (Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances) directive, setting out a timeline to ban fluorescent lamps and tubes from being placed into the market due to mercury content.
Beginning in September 2016 all incandescent light bulbs were banned. It has taken a few years to use the residual stock and are now at the point where it’s increasingly difficult to obtain them. It is not illegal to buy, sell or otherwise use incandescent light bulbs if you can get hold of them.
On 1st September 2019 the halogen light bulb ban came into force. They are banned from use in all but a few specialist applications. It will take some time for residual stocks to be used, but they will become more difficult to obtain as time passes. On 1st September 2023 halogen pin lamps, also known as halogen capsule lamps were banned from being put on sale.
Between February 2023 and February 2024 all fluorescent lamps have been banned from being placed onto the market starting with the CFL (compact fluorescent) and ending with the linear fluorescent tube on 1st February 2024. Lamps that have already been installed do not have to be replaced, and any residual stock may still be sold by retailers, however they are increasingly difficult to find as stock dwindles to nothing.
It is estimated that the switch to energy saving lamp bulbs will save 93 TWh/year in the EU. This is more than the energy consumption of Croatia. It will also avoid annual emissions of 35 million tonnes of CO2.
So, what has actually happened and why?
The EU decided that we need to cut our carbon emissions drastically. Part of the strategy is to reduce electrical consumption by phasing out incandescent and halogen lamp bulbs. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are very inefficient.
Watts are a measurement of electricity, not of light output. When we pass a current through the tungsten filament, it glows white-hot. This is what gives off the light. Unfortunately, only around 10% of the energy used is given off in light, with the remaining 90% being given off in heat. This makes these light bulbs only 10% efficient and that in part has led to their downfall. The alternative is now to switch to LED lighting, which saves energy and therefore saves you money in electricity costs.
Subsequently, the RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) directive released in February 2022 restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, for example in this case, the use of mercury in fluorescent lighting products.
LED light bulbs.
LED light bulbs are the obvious alternative. They run cool, are ultra-reliable, consume 90% less electricity than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and the quality lamps last for over 35000 hours. They are available in different colour temperatures to ensure that you get the right type of light for each application.
With 20% of the world’s energy usage estimated to be consumed by lighting, if we could all switch to LED technology this could amount to a reduction in over 75% energy usage on lighting the world, whilst reducing CO2 and other pollutants hugely. Compared to fluorescent bulbs, LED lights are up to 80% more efficient and have no need for control gear.
LED light bulbs have been around for years now. They are extremely efficient, typically saving 90% in energy. A 4w LED GU10 replacement lamp gives around the same amount of light output as a 40w halogen light bulb. Our LED light bulbs are ultra-reliable, generate very little heat and can typically last 12 – 15 years in the home, up to 20 times longer than a halogen GU10.
Care should be taken when buying this type of replacement lamp, as not all LEDs are of the same quality. Choose a quality product with a good history of research and development. Use high quality LED’s, and you will reap the benefits with reduced electricity bills for many years to come.
We stock every type of quality LED replacement bulbs. The cost of LED lamp bulbs has dropped considerably, and they now cost a fraction of the price compared to when they were first launched, paying for themselves in energy savings in a short time. They are now the same size as traditional incandescent lamps. LED bulbs are also available with filaments, so they look identical to the old-style bulbs.
Conclusion. There is really nothing for us to worry about. The incandescent light bulb was first patented by Thomas Edison in 1879 and has changed very little since. It has reached the end of the road due to its design and inefficiency. There are alternatives available to suite every type of light fitting that are more efficient and cost-effective. The key is to shop around, ask questions and try them out until you find a light bulb that suits you.
If you require any further advice or have any questions in relation to this article, please contact us.