Shedding light on a bright idea

IIt seems strange that at a time when everyone is being urged to conserve energy due to climate change, people are still content to use light bulbs that convert only 10 per cent of their power into light while wasting the rest on heat. The incandescent light bulb has been around since 1879 but more and more people around the world are realising they are long overdue for a 21st century update. Governments ranging from the US, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia are phasing them out, or are planning to do so, in favour of more efficient alternatives.

The European Union has also recognised the advantages of switching to more energy-efficient lighting. Beginning this month with a ban on 100 watt incandescent bulbs and above, the EU is gradually removing all wasteful lamps from the European market. By 2020, this will save enough energy to power 11 million households each year while saving every family more than €50 on their electricity bill.

In the fight against climate change, every contribution will make a difference. It is up to legislators to spot these opportunities and create the optimum conditions for change. Seatbelts in cars only ended up saving millions of lives because laws made their use obligatory.

The legislation is based on good solid science while consumer organisations and the industry were also involved. This is why inefficient lighting will be phased out over a number of years to allow consumers and companies to adapt to the change.

Consumers will soon discover that the modern and more efficient alternatives offer not only the same advantages as outdated light bulbs but also so much more.

People can, for example, opt to use transparent improved incandescent bulbs with halogen technology, which provide exactly the same type and quality of light as conventional incandescent bulbs. They also come in the same shapes and appearances and give full light output as soon as they are switched on.

Also interesting are light emitting diodes (LEDs). They are as efficient as compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) but do not contain mercury and last even longer. Already, they can replace both clear and frosted light bulbs and are likely to become alternatives to the full range of lamps in the near future.

In addition, families will be able to tell the difference in their pocket as they can save more money using compact fluorescent lamps. Although they are initially more expensive to buy than incandescent bulbs, the difference is quickly recovered as they use only one fourth or one fifth of the electricity consumed by incandescents, while lasting six to 10 times as long. Over its lifetime, a compact fluorescent lamp will provide approximately a €60 cost saving.

Paradoxically, by banning inefficient lighting, the Commission is enabling consumers to enjoy a wider choice of types of lighting. As more people buy the alternatives, their cost will go down because of economy of scale, putting their advantages within easy reach. Whereas incandescent light bulbs can only produce warm light, compact fluorescent lamps can offer both cool or warm light, giving people the option of choosing the effect they want for any given environment with no risk of burning, due to their lower operating temperatures. The changeover will also stimulate companies to innovate, meaning there will be even more types of lighting to choose from, each with their own advantages.

Some people have been concerned about compact fluorescent lamps mercury content, this being a hazardous material. However, mercury-containing lamps have been used without any problems in most office and public buildings for the last 50 years. The mercury can only escape if the lighting tubes are broken by accident, in which case five milligrammes of mercury at most could be released. People will also be able to consult the packaging or websites for information on the safest way to dispose of the broken lamp. In fact, as compact fluorescent lamps consume less electricity, less mercury will be produced from electricity generation, reducing mercury emissions overall. Of course, compact fluorescent lamps should be disposed of in an appropriate way, in accordance with EU legislation already in place.

There are also misunderstandings about the quality of light emitted by compact fluorescent lamps. They can produce just as much light as traditional light bulbs. One should look carefully on the packaging to find out what brightness is offered by a lamp. New EU legislation also introduces requirements on lifetime to be stated on the packaging, taking account of an average of one switch on and off for every hour of operation. Dedicated compact fluorescent lamps are available for even more frequent switching.

So, above all, the gradual phase-out of incandescent bulbs is being done to save energy, with the environmental benefits that this brings, and will also save people money. And the time is definitely right for such change.

To find out more, please consult the European Commission's dedicated website at www.e-lumen.eu.

The author is EU Commissioner for Energy