100W Light Bulb Phase Out

Phasing out old light bulbs


Back in 2007 in the UK a voluntary initiative to phase out old fashioned bulbs was started.Supported by a number of UK energy suppliers and retailers.From 1 September 2009, this phase-out will be compulsory.

This is good news for people who will pay less in electricity and even better news for the planet, as expected savings will amount to one million tones of saved CO2 per year by 2020.

With a great variety of new energy efficient bulbs in every size, shape and design, with dimmable versions and bayonet and screw fittings, consumers should have no problem making the switch.

Some common misconceptions;

They are too expensive?
Following substantial price drops from initial launch these new bulbs have come down in price and will continue to do so. Savings are quoted as high as £3-6 per lamp per year according to the Energy Saving Trust, and so the pay back can be seen in months. They longer so you don’t need to buy them as often.

They don't fit all fittings
Yes, they do. They come in all bayonet and screw fittings.

They don't last as long as I thought
CFLs should last longer than traditional incandescent lamps. Although towards the end of their life they fade over time rather than blow. Under EU legislation there will be a minimum guaranteed lifetime.

They take ages to warm up and give off dull light
Many lamps come on instantly and no lamp should come on later than a second or two after flicking the switch.

They won't save me money
According to the Energy Saving Trust, savings can be £3-6 per lamp off your energy bills, think of the number of bulbs you have through your household and the total savings to be made!


I can't recycle them
Local Councils provide recycling facilities for CFLs and some retailers will take them back. As with all new products the end of life recycling can take some time to become established a but will happen and is now being taken very seriously by local and national government.

They contain mercury
The evidence shows that the amount of mercury in lamps is less than the mercury that would be otherwise released into the atmosphere by coal-fire power generation to produce the energy used by an incandescent lamp. The mercury cannot escape from an intact lamp and, even if the lamp should be broken, the small amount of mercury contained in a single, modern CFL is unlikely to cause any harm.

Getting rid of old fashioned light bulbs limits my choice
CFL bulbs are not the only ones on the markets. Halogen bulbs that fit into standard lighting sockets will remain on sale too although these lamps don’t save as much energy as CFLs.

I will need to change all my light bulbs as a result of these measures
No-one will be forced to change their light bulbs, or their fittings. Retailers will continue to sell existing stocks. The EU measure, under the Eco-design for Energy-using Products Framework Directive restricts the manufacture and import into the EU of 100W and frosted incandescent lamps from 1 September, with a phase out of lamps of lower wattage by 2012.