Phasing out of incandescent lightbulbs

Aim of the Regulation

The aim of the Regulation is to remove the most energy inefficient lightbulbs from the market in favour of more energy efficient alternatives. This will save energy and will save consumers money in reduced electricity bills.

Lighting may represent up to a fifth of a household’s electricity consumption. Sustainable Energy Ireland’s (SEI) power of one campaign has identified the use of energy efficient lightbulbs over traditional lightbulbs as one of their top ten energy saving tips in the home.

What can you save by switching to energy efficient bulbs?

Replacing 3 x 100W incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs using 3 hours of electricity per day can save an average household up to €43 per annum.

To calculate your own savings please visit the ESB’s energy efficient lighting webpages which includes an online lighting guide and calculator.

Most energy efficient lightbulbs, such as CFLs and halogen lightbulbs, are available in various configurations and although they cost more to purchase, are far more energy efficient thus reducing electricity costs. For example, a CFL lightbulb uses 80% less electricity than an equivalent incandescent lightbulb and typically lasts eight to twelve times longer. A new halogen lightbulb uses 30% less electricity and lasts twice as long as an ordinary incandescent lightbulb.

Advances in technology mean that energy efficient lightbulbs are now available in a wide variety of fittings, shapes and sizes.

Guidance on Energy Efficient Lighting

The ESB’s Guide to Energy Efficient Lighting provides useful information to allow consumers to make informed choices when purchasing energy efficient lighting.

Further tips and advice on energy efficient lighting may be found on powerofone.ie and change.ie

More about the EU Regulation

From 1^st September 2009 (Stage 1 of 6 stages) the following will be restricted from being placed on the market:

• All clear glass bulbs 100 watts or over (except for those with an energy rating of 'C' or better)

• All frosted bulbs (except CFLs and LEDs)

• All clear bulbs in energy classes F & G

All remaining lower wattage clear glass bulbs will be banned progressively between 1^st September 2009 and 1^st September 2012. Reflector bulbs and spotlights are excluded from this EU regulation. The most commonly used bulb, the 60W, will remain available until September 2011, and 40W and 25W bulbs until September 2012.

Alongside minimum energy efficiency requirements, requirements are also set on the functionalities of lamps (e.g. lifetime and lighting performance) and on the product information to be displayed to allow the consumers to better select the appropriate lamps for a given purpose among the alternatives to incandescent lamps.

The calendar of the phase out in the Regulation, has been developed in a way to ensure that lamp manufacturers have the time to convert their incandescent bulb production lines to improved halogen lamp production.

The Regulation will only apply to the products that are “placed on the market” (sold by the manufacturer or importer) after the first phase (Stage 1) of the requirement. Therefore, after the 1^st September 2009 stocks that were already on shelves of the retailers or in retailer stocks before 1^st September will continue to be sold until they run out.

Exemptions to the Regulation

This Regulation applies to all non-directional household lamps sold for household use. It does not apply to directional lamps (as defined in Article 2 of EU Regulation (EC) No 244/ 2009) or lamps excluded from the scope of Article 1.

For special applications or devices where there is clearly no alternative to incandescent lightbulbs or conventional halogens (such as oven lamps, infrared lamps, pet-care lamps etc.), the Regulation allows the sale of special purpose lightbulbs not fulfilling the requirements of the Regulation, provided the special purpose is clearly stated on the packaging together with an indication that the lightbulb is not suitable for room illumination.

Summary of other stages of the Regulation

(For the complete legal text you are referred to EU Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps)

Energy labelling of household lamps

Since 1998 (COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 98/11/EC of 27 January 1998 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household lamps) household lightbulbs have had to indicate their energy efficiency on the packaging so consumers can clearly see the energy efficiency rating and make informed decisions on choosing more energy efficient lightbulbs. The scale is A-G with A being the most efficient product. The label will also allow you to check on other important lighting information which will help to inform your purchase, including the average rated lamp life.

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to assist consumers, the European Commission has issued Frequently asked questions about the regulation on ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps which covers a range of issues associated with the Regulation.

Figures and graphics are available in the PDF and WORD versions of this document available within this link.

The EU Commission’s dedicated website is at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/ecodesign/lumen/

More information on the lamp types covered can be found in the Phasing out incandescent bulbs in the EU Technical Briefing document from the EU Commission’s website.

Safe disposal of lightbulbs

CFLs are covered by the WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) Directive and therefore should never be placed in your waste disposal or recycling bins. Retailers will take back your old CFLs free of charge when you purchase new ones on a one for one basis. Your Local Authority will also take them, free of charge, at your local recycling centres. Although ordinary bulbs and halogen bulbs are not covered by the WEEE Directive they should be disposed of responsibly by bringing them to your recycling centre.

Information on the disposal of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment can be found here: WEEE

Find out more about energy savings

Further energy saving information, including lighting, can be found on the following websites: -

ESB

Power of One

Change.ie

Contact: Colette Reilly

Environment Unit

Rm. 517

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Kildare St.

Dublin 2

Phone: 016312229

Fax: 016313815

E-mail: colette_reilly@entemp.ie