Energy efficient light bulbs regulation comes into force in September

Release Date: Jul 2nd, 2009

Under new EU Regulation ordinary, or incandescent, light bulbs will be phased out throughout Europe from 1st September 2009. These regular light bulbs will be replaced by more efficient alternatives, such as improved incandescent bulbs with halogen technology and compact fluorescent lamps.

Why is it necessary to phase-out incandescent bulbs?

Lighting represents up to a fifth of a household's electricity consumption. There is a four to five-fold difference between the energy consumption of the least efficient and the most efficient lighting available. This means that upgrading your light bulbs could reduce your household's total electricity consumption by up to 10-15% and easily save €50 a year, even taking into account the purchasing cost of new bulbs.

With the introduction of this regulation, EU citizens are expected to save the equivalent of the electrictity consumption of Romania, or of 11 million European households and reduce CO2 emission by about 15 million tons of per year.

What will be phased out and when?

Inefficient lamps (incandescent bulbs and conventional halogen bulbs) will be phased out gradually from the EU market starting in September 2009 and finishing in September 2012.

From September 1st, 2009:

• All frosted bulbs (except CFLs).
• All bulbs in energy classes F & G (the lowest energy rating).
• All clear glass bulbs 100 watts or over (except for those with an energy rating of ‘C’ or better).

All remaining lower wattage clear glass bulbs will be banned progressively between September 1st, 2009 and September 1st, 2012.

Read the ESB's Guide to Energy Efficient Lighting.