NEW EU Regulation. Halogen lamps banned from 1st September 2018.
The final phase of the EU light bulb ban comes into effect on 1 September 2018, Halogen light bulbs will soon be a thing of the past, as the final phase of EU energy regulations comes into effect on 1 September 2018, banning them from sale. Halogen GU10 spotlights have already been banned – in 2016.
Consumers in the dark about upcoming bulb ban.
It seems that the message hasn’t yet reached those affected, a survey found that 64% of UK consumers were unaware of the impending ban, and a further 10% were aware but unsure of how it would affect them.
Why are halogen light bulbs being banned?
This is the final stage of a European Union directive (EC 244/2009) that has progressively banned less efficient light sources, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and cutting carbon emissions across the EU, starting with traditional incandescent light bulbs in 2009.
The directive is part of an ambitious Ecodesign project to improve energy efficiency across a range of domestic appliances from light bulbs to washing machines.
Halogen light bulbs fall foul of the regulations as they use much more energy than alternatives such as LEDs or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. They also have a relatively short lifespan of around 2,000 hours – approximately two years when used for around three hours per day.
The emissions cost is staggering. Buildings account for about 40% of our energy consumption – and lighting currently accounts for around 15% of that. That gives it a carbon footprint higher than aviation and shipping combined.
Eliot Whittington, the director of the Prince of Wales’s corporate leaders group, said: “The science is clear. We can’t allow the human costs of climate change to reach the levels they will, if we fail to act. You ban things that threaten public safety and the wasteful use of energy is dangerous for us all in the end.”
Are LEDs more expensive than halogens?
They can be initially, but not in the long run. The upfront price of some LED bulbs may still seem steep compared with traditional light bulbs, LED bulbs will save you money over time by cutting your energy bills, plus they last longer too, so you’ll save on buying replacement bulbs.
A halogen bulb may be cheaper to buy in the first place but the electricity costs will be much more expensive, whereas an LED bulb will pay for itself within a year. Halogen bulbs also last for just two years on average, compared to LEDs which have a 15-25 year life expectancy.
The average British home has about 10 halogen lamps and uses each lightbulb for around three hours a day, according to government figures from 2012. You might be surprised to know that a single 100W incandescent light bulb can cost around £20 per year to run (based on three hours of use per day and electricity prices of 18.75p/kWh), whereas an equivalent LED would be less than £5, so the savings can really add up. Saving £15.00 per LED lamp per year.
Brexit affect the bulb ban?
Not really. These rules remain relevant as for long as the UK follows EU legislation. And, as with other bans such as the one on vacuum cleaners with high-wattage motors, manufacturers have indicated that they are unlikely to continue producing halogen bulbs specifically for the UK market after Brexit.
Get the right brightness & colour
While you used to just look for a wattage rating, with LEDs comes a new and unfamiliar level of choice and jargon relating to how warm or cool the light output is and how bright it is.
As a quick rule, bulbs with a colour temperature rating of 2,700K (Kelvins) – this matches the warm-white glow of traditional bulbs. When it comes to brightness, the higher the lumen output, the brighter the bulb. An output of 1,000+ lumens is roughly equivalent to a 75-100W bulb, and is bright enough for main room light fittings.
Upgrading to LED
If you would like to upgrade your light fitting to an LED version then contact us and we can help advise you the best course of action. We are running a promotion to assist with this change over to LED.
Use Offer Code: LED-Discount.
We like to keep our clients up to date with new regulations. We really enjoy saving our clients’ money and we love doing our little bit to help the planet.
