Out with the old and in with the new
24/11/2010
The age of
the incandescent bulb is nearly at an end but how close to end are we? Well,
here is all you need to know about the new lighting age and why exactly the
transition is occurring.
Governments
around the globe have passed many measures to prohibit the sale and
distribution of incandescent bulbs for lighting premises. The ultimate goal is
to encourage people to be more energy efficient with their lighting products,
using alternatives like compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and LED bulbs. The
phase out started in 2005 with Brazil and Venezuela, then with the European Union, Switzerland and Australia starting to phase them out in 2009.
Other nations have scheduled their phase outs, like Argentina, Russia and Canada set for 2012, USA set between 2012 and 2014, and Malaysia in 2014.
As part of the global efforts to promote
energy efficient lighting, the United Nations Environment Programme in
conjunction with the GEF Earth Fund, Philips Lighting and OSRAM GmbH has established the en.
lighten initiative. This initiative is set to accelerate the global production
and distribution of energy efficient lighting products, by working at global
level and supporting countries around the world. The aim is to promote high
performance energy efficient technologies, phasing out inefficient lighting
technologies and replacing traditional fuel-based lighting with modern,
efficient alternatives with consideration for mercury free and environmentally
sound technologies.
Lamp Phase out Regulations
Energy efficient lighting in dwellings
(“dwelling” means a self-contained unit designed to accommodate a single
household) and buildings is a requirement for all new building work to comply
with Building Regulations Part L. Even when no planning permission is needed,
it is still a legal requirement for all new building work to comply with
Building Regulations. This also applies to certain alterations to existing
buildings. The “Building Control” office of your Local Council will appoint an
officer (BCO – Building Control Officer.) to inspect the work at regular intervals
to make sure it complies.
The primarily directive affects ‘traditional’
GLS/Candle & Golfball type lamps but there are other lamps affected.
The
proposed phase out is expected broadly to affect the following in the UK and Europe:
September
2009
All clear
lamps >950lm (~80W GLS) will be phased out and replaced with Energy Class
‘C’.
September 2010
All clear
lamps >725lm (~65W GLS) will be phased out and replaced with Energy Class
‘C’. Halophosphate Fluorescent Lamps will be banned.
September 2011
All clear
lamps >450lm (~45W GLS) will be phased out and replaced with Energy Class
‘C’.
September 2012
All clear lamps >60lm (~12W GLS) will be phased out and replaced with
Energy Class ‘C’. T12 Fluorescent Lamps, low quality MH E27/E40, HPS
standard/low quality E27/E40 banned.
September 2013
Increased
quality requirements. Replaced with Energy Class ‘C’.
September 2014
Regulation
Review by the EU Commission.
September 2015
High
Pressure Mercury Lamps HPM is banned. HPM replacements.
September 2016
All clear
lamps >60lm will be phased out and replaced with Energy Class ‘B’.
September 2017
Only ECG
for class A1, A2 permitted, and Quartz MH E27/E40 will be banned.