Scheme for distribution of energy saving lamps launched

E.Psaila

Mar 14th 2009, 06:21

@G. Mangion
I agree with you. The PN won 3 elections not because it had good proposals but because there was no alternative.

G .Mangion

Mar 13th 2009, 18:17

@ E.Psaila

can you imagine, if the mlp/pl was in power @ the moment ( Thank GOD he's NOT ! )
seem the mlp has the answer for everything hehe ! Dont make a fool of yourself, with the proposals before the mlp lost the elections Agian, mmm yes 3 consecutive times + the Refferendum, we would have ended up in LIMBO for the Past Year Already !

@ steve elliott
did have to go to U.K, to Know that Here in MALTA are so Liberal about freedom of speech ?
Under the P.N in Gov't , Thank GOD We are doing a lot better than most so called Free Countries . pls I am not your dear, lol.

E.Psaila

Mar 13th 2009, 15:38

Can you imagine? Is this a clear example of 'divide and rule` politics? We are fighting and arguing about a bunch of lamps that the government will give us (not for free but from the taxes that we pay).

Why don't you just admit it? GONZIPN did not get one right during this year in government. Ahhhhh how good is the saying that majority is not always right....and this time it wasn't even a majority....can you imagine...

Shirley Sammut

Mar 13th 2009, 15:12

It's unbelievable that such a simple scheme has brought about so many arguments & (dare i say it ) mud-slinging.......typical!!!

Just be grateful & stop bringing politics into every single issue - neither reds nor blues are perfect, as we all know, so it really is useless pointing fingers at this side or the other!!

If you want to refuse this offer just because it's late or because you don't want anything from this government or for whatever reason, then just don't - instead give your vouchers to those people who want them & live & let live!!!

Anthony Castillo.

Mar 13th 2009, 12:59

@ALAN VELLA. You know what's a SHAME?. When you have a political party without a vision.Today they say that they want something (like for example the partnership and the day after they change thier mind, and for a political convenience they acept the membership in the EU( and tomorow they change thier opinion and they say something different. How could we believe this type of political party to run our futureand as a result the MALTESE people give them the place that they diserve inthe oppsition for 25years.

joe chircop

Mar 13th 2009, 12:52

I fully concur with Mr. J. Vella that energy-saving lamps are not going to be distributed by the Government to save the people's pockets a few Euros because than the same Government wouldn't have decided to increase the Water & Electicity tariffs. The scope of the scheme is to make people aware of energy saving. However, campaigns are still needed to educate the people (including proponents of this scheme) for it seems that everyone is left in the dark about 'the pros and cons of these so called energy-saving lamps' .

In support of my latter assertion, it may result a provable fact that these energy saving lamps wouldn't be feasible to be used in specific environments where people habitually use to frequently switch on or off the light (which may be the case in so-many households). Albeit the warranted life-span period, these energy-saving lamps could very easily prove in such instances, to have a much shorter 'life' span than conventional ones and thus would be less financial feasible to use.

steve elliott

Mar 13th 2009, 07:47

Dear G Mangion I'm not "here" as you put it. I'm in the UK. Heard of "freedom of speech"

Muscat.Pat

Mar 13th 2009, 00:05

Since these bulbs are going to be registered on the Government Data Base, who is going to guarantee that this information, is not going to end up at the PN,s secretary Dr Paul Borg Olivier?

j.mifsud

Mar 12th 2009, 19:54

@ all moaner,
just don't bother collecting the lamps.

G. Mangion

Mar 12th 2009, 18:55

@ All Moaners

Why do you waste your time here if you are against the distribution of energy saving lamps ??
Just don't go and get them !! ( U mela kolla hekk sa tahgmlu halluna, tal - LE )

steve eelliott

Mar 12th 2009, 17:18

youve herd of rip off Britain it now seems rip off Malta. these bulbs, various wattage can be bought on line for 25pence each, delivered.

jcmicallef

Mar 12th 2009, 12:58

i've been using energy saving bulbs for over 20 years, and am quite knowledgeable about them as i worked for a major lighting importer for 8 years.

but i have serious concerns about these bulbs and the so called target to have all the traditional bulbs replaced by energy-savers by 2012.

these are not the solution to the fact that electricity production's expensive and woe to us if we think this is going to 'save the environment'.

so far there has been no statement about how these bulbs will be treated once out of use - and by jove, do they need treatment! They contain 200% more glass product, which, worse still is coated with toxic material. Instead of being composed of just glass, metal and ceramic, energy-savers contain lots of plastic, a small transformer, a printed circuit, chips(non-edible!) and even more metal.

Moreover, their lifespan'll be vastly reduced if they are used for short periods of time - they are meant to operate at long stretches of time.

filament lamps, inefficient as they may seem, are ideal for short time use (until one gets into bed, lighting the stairs to climb up, etc) and shouldn't be entirely replaced.

Alan Pace

Mar 12th 2009, 11:40

This is just a smoke screen! Just stop for a few munutes and think guys........

So I will be given 8 bulbs, being a family of 4, at €4 each it amounts to €32 right? Apart that I can buy these lamps half of that price or less easily, but, don't you think that WE are still paying for those bulbs?? So beside that I will be paying €32 for the bulbs, I'll be paying the unfair and costly new utility rates which Lawrence Gonzi voted in favour ' bil qalb kollha'.

And if someone is so happy that this stupid electoral promise is being kept shall I remind him that we were never promised these exhorbitant rates when the price of crude oil was 4 times higher what it is today and we always were given the impression that the country finances are very healthy!

Just one word describes all this... SHAME!!!

Colin Camilleri

Mar 12th 2009, 11:05

People, why are you complaining about the 4 Euro price for a bulb? As if it is the first time that the PN government paid 2 or 3 fold the amount to implement something for half the quality promised. Take a look Mater Dei for example. See how much it was projected to cost and how much it ended up costing us.
So why making a mountain out of a molehill?
Let the ironmongers have a piece of the cake too. You just need to ensure with the ironmonger that a) u get the highest quality Bulb possible for 4 Euros (eg. Varta or Philipps) and b) you get a written guarantee that it is going to last 10,000hrs or a guaranteed replacement with no questions asked. The ball in your court dear citizen, do not complain just use it.

victor vewlla

Mar 12th 2009, 09:37

What watage can we take? these things should be made clear as the lamps cost according to the wattage. another thing these lamps are guaranteed to last 10,000 hours ok but will the seller ie the shop keeper replace any faulty ones or do we have to fight tooth and nail with the wholesaler?Please Mr Minister make these things clear to save any future complications and arguments.We all know how much many of the shopkeepers honour thier guarantees.Thanks you saved me a lot of money

David Reiling

Mar 12th 2009, 07:28

i think often the problem is more to do with the type of fitting per price - as the cheaper ones are oftne the older large screw or bayonet type of fitting

L..Galea

Mar 11th 2009, 21:47

Liam Caruana
Mela għalfejn qed jagħti ammonti differenti skond kemm hemm persuni joqgħodu fid-dar?
U jekk 5 kull sena, suppost li jagħtina 10 issa għaliex 5 suppost ħadnihom is-sena l-oħra u diġa' għaddiet sena.
Lanqas kieku qabel kont tħalli d-dawl jixhel lejl u nhar ma tiffranka daqshekk għalkemmkull qatra tgħodd.

Mario Mercieca
So eternity is not too long for those wearing blue blinkers is it?
So if one promise took more than a year to start being implemented, will the nearly 400 electoral promises take around 400 years to start being implemented? After all, the energy savers are being paid through OUR taxes.

George Xuereb
You are right. In the UK they were even selling them for a few cents a few weeks back. A link had been put by one of the posters on The Times. Moreover, you can get them for 2 euros at the Monti and even in shops, so why is Gonezipn going to pay €4 for each energy saver? Must be something about back scratching.

S. Ferrito The people have been buying energy savers, but they expect that what was promised to them will be delivered.

Election is getting nearer

apgrech

Mar 11th 2009, 19:58

Joe Vella - the government wants to "educate" us by raising the w & e bills to economize and by raising the car licence to teach us how to us the cars effectively.

The giving of bulbsll to the public is an expensive and non fruitful deed. Yes, it woul have been better if they used that money to fix the roads. They could have campaigned on the media to educate people on how to economize.

I speak practical stuff.

a darmanin

Mar 11th 2009, 19:15

@john falzon

Go to www.ebay.co.uk or www.ebay.com you can get loads of L.E.D's and energy saving bulbs with a very low prize!!

philip pace

Mar 11th 2009, 18:54

A warning to all concerned.

Who shall collect these bulbs after they run out?

I am expecting an answer from the Resources Ministry as if no one collects these bulbs they are breaking the EU laws.

Yes on ebay one can get these cheaper but remember that these are sold by power sellers not your next door ironmongery store!

Even if the wafer thin majority of a Government shall deliver these it is always too late and this cannot be regarded as a promise accomplished as I think that it shall take about 4 months for the first bulbs to be delivered. One year and four months later! 3 years and eight months nearer to the next elction.

I'm sure that some smart alec would write that it is better late than never!

By that time there is going to be more consumption before the citizens shall get the late delivered energy bulbs.

r.lewis

Mar 11th 2009, 18:40

If a person pays for more then one meter, is he entitled for these energy saver bulbs for every meter. I suggest to the Govt to keep the meter charge as before and we buy these from our pockets, we would have done a much better deal. To say 'FREE' when in fact we are paying these exegerated rates, is rediculous. These type of bulbs are only practical in certain rooms and have to be left switched on, so back to square one. You can fool some, but you cannot fool everyone.
A bill received today says (and only up to 17/10/08) when in fact we are in March 2009
Water consumption charge (old)
water consumption charge (new)
water service charge (old)
water service charge (new)
government subsidy on water
electricity consumption charge (old)
electricity consumption charge (new)
electricity service charge (old)
electricity service charge (new)
Eco reduction
Fuel surcharge at 50%
Fuel surcharge at 95%
This whole saga about water and electricity is a complete flop. Can someone try to explain to us how you can try to check these type of bills.

M. Brincat

Mar 11th 2009, 18:16

@ Joe Vella Mellieha:
"The aim of the scheme is not to save us the citizens a few Euros as you implied, but to change habits. Hopefully, people will see the cost benefits in using these energy saving lamps and start using them."

An educational campaign - TVs, radios, paper, etc. would have cost our pockets one tenth of what the Government is spending on this scheme!!!

E. Psaila

Mar 11th 2009, 18:16

Two questions:
1. How many importers of these bulbs are there in Malta? (€4 million divided by number of importers which surely are not hundreds = quite much from our pockets)
2. Once I heard these bulbs are dangerous, is that true?

George Xuereb

Mar 11th 2009, 17:18

@Eugenio Taliana

Well said!
Rebates on LED lighting would have made much more sense.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Mar 11th 2009, 17:17

@ ap Grech

"I'm not impressed by this generosity at all. It will cost the government millions of Euro while saving a few euros to the citizens.'

Over time you have been none for your short sightedness in your comments and the cheap political shots at the Government.

The aim of the scheme is not to save us the citizens a few Euros as you implied, but to change habits. Hopefully, people will see the cost benefits in using these energy saving lamps and start using them.

Yes, the savings to consumers will not only be in the short term but in the long term as well. The Environment will also benefit as well. But we have got accustomed to hear the Maltese Socialist to preach one thing on the environment and do the opposite when the stakes are down.

George Xuereb

Mar 11th 2009, 17:14

again some businessman with deep pockets is going to make big profit from tax payer's money. Interesting that if you look around on internet you'll find much cheaper bulbs of the best qaulity.

8 x PHI**** LOW ENERGY SAVING LIGHT SAVER 11W=60W BULBS sell for £7.99 on E-Bay! That makes it circa 1 Sterling for each bulb. And we're talking good quality bulbs. Now imagine if you import them in big numbers!

But the funniest things is that you can already buy them cheaper than 4 Euros even in Malta!

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Mar 11th 2009, 17:11

@ Anthony Magri

The information you mention is already available to the Government. There is a thing that happens now and then that is called Census.

I would think that vouchers are individually identified is to avoid abuse

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Mar 11th 2009, 17:08

@ Anthony Magri

The information you mention is already available to the Government. There is a thing that happens now and then that is called Census.

I would think that vouchers are individually identified is to avoid abuse

john falzon

Mar 11th 2009, 16:54

Can someone publish the site here where we can buy the cheaper lamps online please ? I am definitely interested in purchasing! Thanks.

Liam Caruana

Mar 11th 2009, 16:50

@M.Brincat

Jista jkun li ma tiffrankax daqshekk :) u jien dik hadta mhux mil-kalkoli tieghi imma mil-kalkoli li ghamlu huma :) u dik hi 200Euro fis-sena mhux fix-xahar tinsiex :)

M. Brincat

Mar 11th 2009, 16:40

@Liam Caruana:

Tiffranka KEMM ezatt??? B'liema kalkjulejter gew daqshekk? B'xi wiehed li jara kbir nahseb!

Liam Caruana

Mar 11th 2009, 16:34

@L.Galea, qabel tghid xqal Gonzi, aqra din sew... Indahhlu skema fejn kull familja tinghata
5 bozoz energy saving fis-sena ghalsentejn. Familja medja li tibdel ghaxar bozoz ta’ 100watt mistennija li tiffranka aktar minn E200 fis-sena.

Iggiefiri li sena ohra ghandu jaghtik 5 bozzoz ohra :)

A.Magri

Mar 11th 2009, 15:45

@Mario Mercieca
Not only are your glasses blue but your headphones too.

Gonzi promised 10 but will deliver up to 10 - which part exactly don't you understand?

Stephen Borg

Mar 11th 2009, 15:30

All European governments are reducing energy tariffs to help the economy to get back on track and in Malta we have a government which is giving us energy saving bulbs instead of doing like the other European governments. The Maltese government has to accept the simple fact that crude oil market price has gone down considerably in the last few months and this reduction has to be reflected in the energy tariffs as it was when the crude oil market price went up. By giving energy saving bulbs the government is not going to solve the problem. The Maltese government should tune to the trade unions and the general public's frequency because most of the time the Maltese government is tuned on another frequency.

J. Sultana

Mar 11th 2009, 15:28

The whole issue is not the hype surrounding the launch of such schemes, but they way they are finally administered by the government and/or the authorities involved.

An interesting example is the solar water heater rebate scheme. After the budget many went to buy so as to be amongst the first to apply for the rebate since it was number-limited.
Then the government launched the scheme which was valid only for those who had not yet bought the solar heater. Let` say that so far so good ..

The new scheme requires one to apply for the refund, and then ONLY WHEN THE REFUND IS APPROVED HE CAN GO TO BUY IT AND GET IT INSTALLED. if he buys it before the approval he won`t get anything at all.

This brought a situation of stand-still as regards sales because nobody can go and buy. One month after the scheme was launched with a lot of hype THERE ARE STILL NO SIGNS OF APPROVED APPLICATIONS !

What is the MRA playing at ? Are they waiting for the cold winter months to approve the applications - when the maximum consumption of electric heaters is needed?

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Mar 11th 2009, 15:24

So now every time we switch on the light we have to say a big thank you to GONZI PN. The only problem is that every time I get into my car (which is more often than I switch on lights) I end up cursing the government as I remember that I paid substantial VAT on the registration tax and to get reimbursed I must take the government to court.
Hey Gov. how about forgetting the bulbs and refunding the VAT on car registration after all we can get the bulbs from other sources at much cheaper than Eur 4 but getting back the VAT is going to take too much time and hassle.

Mario Mercieca

Mar 11th 2009, 15:22

The PN in its electoral program promissed five lamps, and the goverment is giving up to ten. Yes a year seems a long time for some, especially if they wear red glasses. So just say thank you and shut up please. If you do not like the offer don`t redeem your voucher.

S. Ferrito

Mar 11th 2009, 15:16

It seems that some ppl have been waiting for the govt to supply them with energy saving lamps. I have been replacing the incandescent ones with the energy saving ones little by little for the last few years ..since it was in my interest to save on electricity bills!!!

Yes even I have been buying energy saving bulbs online at a good price - (and decorative ones at that)!!

A.Magri

Mar 11th 2009, 15:10

What did you promise before the election and what are you delivering now?

M Grech

Mar 11th 2009, 14:58

Finally we will all see the light now! And to boost, at €4 a bulb, some will pocket some huge profits. As others have said, such bulbs are available on ebay for much less, postage included. And, please, don't start harping about lower quality - I have tried them myself and just cannot fault them.

jesmond zammit

Mar 11th 2009, 14:44

tajjeb .
the problem is of staying without heater in winter,and worse no airconditioning in summer.
oh jesus have mercy

Nigel Lawrence

Mar 11th 2009, 14:38

I got my lamps from via internet for a LOT less that €4.00 each!

apgrech

Mar 11th 2009, 14:37

I'm not impressed by this generosity at all. It will cost the government millions of Euro while saving a few euros to the citizens. It would had been more beneficial to use that money to repair some roads instead.

L..Galea

Mar 11th 2009, 14:35

Gonezipn, you promised 10 TEN energy savers to EACH household, not a number of energy savers depending on the number of persons in the household.

DELIVER WHAT YOU PROMISED.

I remember Mintoff saying Min ma jwettaqx dak li jwiegħed, mill-poter aktar jitbiegħed.

laurence schembri

Mar 11th 2009, 14:33

€4 million, €4 for each lamp?
Retailers and Wholesalers can get these bulbs on e-Bay at 0.50c a lamp.

Eugenio Taliana

Mar 11th 2009, 14:22

Anything which comes free is always welcome, except that in this case anything the government spends we will pay for it - but anyway, I heard that these lamps contain mercury and when one of them breaks, a person must vacate the room and open windows . . . mercury is a very dangerous substance and knowing us Maltese when these bulbs break down and expire we throw them with the normal thrash - I think before distributing these bulbs the Maltese families need to be educated as to where to throw them once they're expired and what to do when a person breaks one.

Anthony Magri

Mar 11th 2009, 14:12

Quote" Each voucher will be individually identifiable by a unique number which will be entered into a database by the wholesaler."unquote
What does the above clarification realy means. The government department will have information that will unable it to identify, on a data base form, who bought each lamp or set of lamps or perhaps declined the offer.
Does the notice not imply that the Government department concerned will have gathered personal information on each and every family to include number of children and members of family living as one household. Could this information not be used to check other benefits such as Social Services entitlement, Water & Electricity bills, income tax deductions and so on. There are so many benfices depending on the number of persons in the household.

A. Attard

Mar 11th 2009, 13:59

hurrraaayyyyyyy gonzi's bozoz arrived!!!!!!!!

L Debono

Mar 11th 2009, 13:49

Not that I wouldn't like the environment to improve but, have the study of these devices been concluded?
Some time ago there were reports that stated that these bulbs are a fire hazard and POSIBLY a health hazard as well. The magnetic field generated by these florescent bulbs was being investigated.

Mark Thorogood

Mar 11th 2009, 13:48

these are often for sale in the UK for less than £ 1 each