Eye Info

Advice on energy efficient lighting

Summary: Information about the effectiveness of energy efficent lighting.

• Why are we giving advice on this issue?
• Timetable
• The issues
• When to switch to low energy bulbs?
• RNIB recommends

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The Government is working to phase out the use of standard bulbs as part of its commitment to reducing CO2. The effectiveness of energy efficient light bulbs is a concern for many blind and partially sighted people as light levels and quality make a big difference to people with low vision. This guide addresses these issues and finds solutions for common concerns.

Why are we giving advice on this issue?

In September 2007 the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, announced a government initiative aimed at phasing out the use of the Tungsten or GSL (General Service Lamp) that we have been familiar with for many years. The scheme involves the voluntary co-operation of many major retailers, who will replace their less efficient light bulbs on shop shelves over the next four years with energy efficient bulbs*. (*The term 'bulb' is in common usage by the public, it is not used by the lighting industry. They refer to the lamp. The lamp is fitted into a 'lamp fitting' or 'luminarie'.)

The main energy efficient alternative product being marketed today is the compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs).

The reason for the change to low energy bulbs is the government‘s commitment to reduce the amount of CO2 we produce as a society. The current tungsten bulb is very inefficient. 95 per cent of the energy it uses disappears as heat. Depending on how long your lights are in use every day, just one energy saving light bulb could save 26 kilograms of CO2 a year. They are also cheaper to run, saving up to £7 per bulb per year.

These are all positive reasons for making the change to energy efficient lighting. However, because this technology is new the general public, people with a visual impairment and lighting professionals have some concerns about the change over. This guidance aims to cover the main issues.

Timetable

Contrary to popular reporting the change will not come over night and there will be no 'ban' on the old style lights. The government scheme is voluntary, which means that retailers will be free to decide what to stock. In addition and separate to the UK scheme, the EU has legislation planned to make all bulbs meet a certain standard of energy efficiency. Technically, this does not 'ban' particular technologies: as long as they reach the standard of energy efficiency they will be allowed. In practice it is likely to amount to the same thing. However, EU legislation in this area is unlikely to come into force in the UK before 2010.

This is the suggested timetable for the voluntary UK scheme, taken from a recent government press release:

• By January 2008, cease replacing stock of all inefficient (General Lighting Service, GLS) A-shaped incandescent lamps of energy rating higher than 100W (predominantly 150W lamps). 

• By January 2009, cease selling all inefficient GLS A-shaped lamps of energy rating higher than 60W (predominantly 150W lamps, 100W lamps, plus some 75W lamps)  

• By January 2010, cease selling all GLS A-shaped lamps of efficacy of energy rating higher than 40W (predominantly 60W lamps)  

• By 31 December 2011, cease selling all remaining inefficient GLS A-shaped lamps and 60W 'candle' and 'golfball' lamps. (predominantly 40W and 25W A-shaped GLS bulbs, and 60W candles and golfballs).

At the moment, we expect candles and golfballs, tungsten halogen lamps and lamps supplied with non-lighting electrical appliances to remain on sale, because suitable energy-efficient alternatives do not currently exist.

The key date in this timetable is January 2009, when 75W and 100W+ lamps will be taken off the shelves. These are the most common varieties used in people's homes. RNIB will try to ensure that the following issues detailed will be adressed by the industry and DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) by this stage.

The issues

The general public, visually impaired people and lighting professionals have all raised concerns about the phasing out of tungsten bulbs. The following is a summary of the main issues and the facts as they stand today.

Time to reach full light output

This has proved to be one of the major concerns about the new bulbs. Anyone who has them in their home has noticed that they take some time to 'warm up' and reach their maximum brightness.

Key problem: In hallways or stairwells instant lighting is needed. Using lights that take time to warm up is dangerous and should be avoided. None of the compact florescent bulbs on the market to date warm up instantly.

Solution: As a rule the cheaper the energy saving CFL, the longer it takes to warm up. Buying a bulb with the Energy Saving Trust logo will mean it will be a higher standard product that will warm up quickly. It will also cost more. In our opinion none of the CFLs on the market warm up quickly enough for use in hallways and stairs. The only energy efficient alternative to the CFL is the tungsten halogen bulb (for example the Philips "Halogena" or the Osram "Halogen Energy Saver Classic" available at the time of writing of this guidance). This type of bulb is only 30 per cent more efficient than the old style version but will still meet potential EU standards.

The industry claims that the warm up time for CFLs will reduce dramatically over the next few years. There is still a question over whether this promised improvement in performance will be on our shelves in time for the January 2009 date. RNIB is in discussion with DEFRA about this issue.

They are not as bright

The new CFL’s are graded to be equivalent to the old Watts or 'W' value used on the old fashioned bulbs. When you chose a CFL bulb you look at the packaging, see which old style bulb it is equivalent to and make your choice. The problem with this is that when setting the standard, they compared the CFL to the soft tone tungsten bulbs rather than the clear versions. The clear versions give out much more light. This means that if you have been using a clear 100W bulb and buy a CFL equivalent it will give out less light. In addition the way the light is spread out, the light distribution, is very different. This combined with the way it sits within the lamp shade will mean that when you replace a tungsten bulb in a fitting you have had for some time the resulting lighting effect will be very different. This effect will not be too noticeable as far as general ceiling mounted lighting is concerned but will be a lot more obvious with task lights that are held close to the table.

Key problem: The new CFLs do not seem as bright and they distribute the light differently

Solution: It is best to buy a bulb of similar shape to the one you are replacing. This will give a similar distribution of light. Choosing CFL bulb a Watt power equivalent above the one you had in tungsten will ensure a brighter light. If you are using the tungsten halogen bulbs you still need to check the Watt rating does not exceed the recommended value for the fitting or lamp shade.

Cannot be dimmed

Many people have dimmer switches fitted in their houses. They can be very useful for people with a sight problem as they allow the light level to be controlled throughout the day. Most CFLs currently on the market will not work with a standard dimmer switch and fitting special dimmer switches is not a viable option due to the expense.

Key problem: Most current CFLs cannot be dimmed using standard domestic dimmers

Solution: The use of dimmers is very common in homes nowadays. If the industry want the public to use these new products, they will have to make new versions that do dim without making them prohibitively expensive. The most practical solution, if you need to change to an energy efficient version, is to use the tungsten halogen bulb. Otherwise people should wait until dimmable CFLs become more widely available. RNIB expects this gap in the market will act as an incentive for manufacturers to produced dimmable versions at more affordable prices within the next year. We will continue to monitor this issue.

Cost

When CFLs first appeared in the shops they cost a lot more that the tungsten versions. Over the last few years the prices have dropped dramatically. In addition the size of the older bulbs meant they would not fit properly into people’s existing light fittings resulting in extra expense to replace fittings. The new versions of CFLs are the same size as the tungsten bulbs, so this problem has gone away. This is not the case for the golf ball sized bulbs as there are not CFLs of this type available at the moment.

Key problem: They cost too much and I need to replace my light fittings as they are too big.

Solution: The cost is now not much higher than the tungsten equivalent and they are of the same size as the tungsten bulbs they replace.

They give a different coloured light.

Earlier CFLs gave a very blue light. Most CFLs available now are aimed at giving the same colour of light as the old style tungsten bulbs and are available in a range of 'tones'.

Key Problem: They give off a 'gloomy' light

Solution: The current range of tones gives as much choice as the old style bulbs.

Flicker and UV emission

Old style tubular florescent bulbs can give off a flicker that effects people who are sensitive to this high frequency flicking. Also there have been concerns about the Ultra Violet (UV) output from CFLs which might aggravate skin conditions.

Key Problem: That CFLs flicker and give off harmful UV light.

Solution: New CFLs operate at a much higher frequency and flicker less than televisions or computer screens. Manufacturers claim that UV emissions are very low. Some evidence exists that the cheaper bulbs do give out higher levels of UV which in could cause skin irritation if used at close range for long periods, for example, in a task light. Buying a Energy Saving Trust branded bulb will ensure a low emission of UV.

Mercury content

The new bulbs contain mercury (about 4 milligrams). Concerns have been raised about whether this leaks out and the risks to the individual if they break a bulb.

Key problem: Can the mercury in the lamp harm me?

Solution: No mercury can leak out of an intact bulb. Like with all products there is a risk of breaking a bulb but as they are of a more compact, thicker construction they are much less likely to break when compared to the old style bulbs. The small amount of mercury in them in unlikely to cause harm to the individual but the DEFRA website gives quite full advice on cleaning up after a breakage which would be difficult to carry out for a person with visual impairment.

"Vacate the room and ventilate it for at least 15 minutes. Do not use a vacuum cleaner but clean up using rubber gloves and aim to avoid creating and inhaling airborne dust. Sweep up all particles and glass fragments and place in a plastic bag. Wipe the area with a damp cloth, then add that to the bag and seal it. Mercury is hazardous and the bag should not be disposed of in the bin. All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste at a civic amenity site or household waste recycling centre. The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum runs a website with details of these centres for chemicals, but which also applies to other hazardous wastes. Alternatively contact your local council direct."

When to switch to low energy bulbs?

The two key advantages of the new CFLs are their increased efficiency and their longer life. Depending on how you use them, they can last up to ten times longer than a tungsten bulb. The reduction in the running cost over the increased life gives the projected saving about £60, this takes into account the cost of the bulb initially. But this very long life does have a down side, you are stuck with any shortcomings that the bulb may have for a very long time. If the bulb really does not do the job, for example in a hall way, you maybe forced to replace it thereby negating any financial saving.

So the question is, when to make the switch? Are the current problems of warm up times and use with dimmers going to be solved in the near future? There is no easy answer to this question, it very much depends on how and were you want to use the new lights.

RNIB recommends

• Not replacing hallway and stair lights with new CFL version. If you want to use an energy efficient version you have to pay more for the tungsten halogen bulb.

• Choosing CFL bulb a Watt power equivalent above the one you had in tungsten will ensure a brighter light. If you are using the tungsten halogen bulbs you still need to check the Watt rating does not exceed the recommended value for the fitting or lamp shade.

Further information

For further information call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

Content author: campaign@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13