Shedding light on new bulbs

A traditional incandescent light bulb and its low energy replacement, a compact fluorescent bulb.
A traditional incandescent light bulb and its low energy replacement, a compact fluorescent bulb.
No need to panic.

That's the message being given to consumers worried about what will replace the light bulbs they have been using for decades.

From the end of next year, standard incandescent and halogen bulbs will no longer be able to be imported into New Zealand, although retailers will still be able to sell bulbs they have in stock.

The bulbs are being replaced by other varieties which can be up to 80% more energy-efficient and last up to 10 times longer.

The Government wants to cut lighting energy consumption by 20% by 2015 and from late next year, incandescent light bulbs will be a thing of the past.

The move has been hailed by Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, who believes changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs could save the country $500 million by 2020.

The announcement last week had already led to many questions from customers, two Dunedin lighting retailers said.

Most were concerned about what to buy when the bulbs they were familiar with were no longer available, while others were concerned about which bulbs would be available for specialty items such as ovens, fridges and chandeliers.

Some people were even stocking up now, Gordon Crighton Lighting co-owner Allan Facer said.

"I'm telling them not to worry, that it will be all right. It's good for business, but there is no need for them to do that."

Most retailers held large stocks of bulbs, he said.

His store held enough of some varieties to meet normal retail demand for two to three years.

Many customers were also asking questions about the safety of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) - the type of bulb most likely to replace standard incandescent bulbs - which contained small amounts of liquid mercury, Lighting Direct sales representative Richard Atkinson said.

He was able to reassure them that not all brands of CFLs contained mercury - one brand sold in his store contained amalgam instead.

Both Mr Atkinson and Mr Facer said retailers were happy to advise customers about which energy-efficient bulb options would suit once incandescent bulbs were no longer available.

Some CFLs would not work with existing dimmer systems, and retailers and electricians could advise on alternatives.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (Eeca) had been working with other government agencies, lighting retailers, bulb manufacturers, and electrical industry and business representatives to ensure those involved with lighting had confidence the law changes would work, and that consumers were provided with adequate alternatives, Eeca products manager Terry Collins, of Wellington, said.

Bulbs for specialist equipment such as sewing machines, overhead projectors and medical equipment would not be phased out, Mr Collins said.

"We're not interested in the small stuff. We are concentrating on making sure high-impact lighting such as [that] used in homes and workplaces, and streetlights, meets the new energy efficiency standard."

It was hoped a new national lighting efficiency strategy, which would be released formally in October, would result in a 20% saving in energy consumption for lighting by 2015, he said.

No bulbs would be phased out until an acceptable alternative was available, Mr Collins said.

"We are reassuring the industry and customers that there is no need to panic."

Although energy efficient bulbs might cost more to buy, Mr Collins said they lasted many years longer and would reduce power bills.

"Because of setting minimum energy performance standards, fridges use half the energy they used to 10 years ago. Now we are doing the same thing for lighting."

An information campaign was about to begin, which would include the distribution of a Light Years Ahead pamphlet through retailers and supermarkets, he said.

The pamphlet gave examples of bulbs which could be used instead of standard incandescent bulbs, and gave advice about choosing the most appropriate and energy efficient lighting.


CFL facts

Q: How much do compact fluorescent light bulbs cost?

A: On average about $6, although cheaper, poorer quality options are available. They can last between 6000 to 15,000 hours.

Q: How much do they cost to run?

A: CFLs typically use a fifth of the energy of an ordinary light bulb, so based on an electricity cost of $0.20/kWh, a CFL used three hours a day for a year will cost $4.40 compared with $21.90 for a standard bulb - saving $17.50 per year per bulb.

Q: Do you need to change your light fittings to use them?

A: No. CFLs come in screw and standard bayonet type, so can be fitted in place of standard incandescent bulbs.

(Source: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website and the Electricity Commission)

 

 

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