Phase-out of inefficient light bulbs
Working with its state and territory counterparts, the Australian Government will gradually phase out all inefficient light bulbs and is aiming for full enforcement of new lighting standards by 2009 to 2010.
The savings to the environment and the economy which the phase-out initiative will generate are considerable. Across the country, the move to more efficient lighting will save more than 4 terrawatt hours of electricity (equivalent to decommissioning one of Australia's smaller coal-fired power stations), 4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent to 1 million cars off the road) and more than $A400 million per year - saving more than A$50 per year per household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Details of the phase-out
QUESTION 1 - Why is the Australian Government phasing out inefficient light bulbs?
Lighting represents around 12 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from households, and around 25 per cent of emissions from the commercial sector. The Australian Government recognises that this is an area where energy savings can be easily made simply by phasing- out inefficient incandescent lights and replacing them with more cost-effective and energy efficient alternatives.
These energy efficient alternatives include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use only 20-30 per cent of the electricity to produce the same amount of light. Using less energy means lower electricity bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions - benefits to both individuals and the environment.
QUESTION 2 - Which bulbs will be phased out?
The Australian Government will implement this phase-out by adopting Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for lighting products. MEPS are used for various other product ranges, including refrigerators and washing machines.
More information about MEPS: www.energyrating.gov.au
The Australian Government is targeting any light bulbs that have an efficiency level of less than 15 lumens per watt (subject to consultation with stakeholders). Lumens are a measure of light output and watts are a measure of energy input.
The normal or traditional tear shaped bulbs (known as general lighting service bulbs) are the least efficient - these bulbs waste 90 per cent of the energy they use, mainly as heat. They will be phased out first.
Better quality halogen lights will continue to be available, but the least efficient of this group will be phased out.
QUESTION 3 - What is the alternative to the inefficient light bulbs?
CFLs use around 20 per cent of the energy to produce the same amount of light, because they waste far less energy creating heat. In addition, they can last between four and 10 times longer than the average incandescent light bulb.
CFLs use the same technology as linear fluorescents - common in our schools, hospitals and workplaces - but are designed for use in homes, and are easily fitted into most existing light fittings.
QUESTION 4 - Are there other types of efficient bulbs?
Yes - light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be even more efficient than CFLs and last even longer. However, LEDs are currently considerably more expensive to produce on a lumens per watt basis than either incandescent lamps or CFLs.
QUESTION 5 - What is the timetable for the phase-out.
Scientists emphasize that we need to reduce our greenhouse emissions as soon as possible.
Phasing out incandescent light bulbs is a fairly simple thing everyone can do to help reduce our emissions.
On 20 February 2007, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, declared that the phase-out would be implemented through 2009/10.
In the intervening period, the Australian Government, state governments and the lighting industry will work together to formulate and implement new lighting standards.
The phase-out will mean that once the measure is implemented, people will be unable to buy new incandescent bulbs to replace their old ones. But people will not be required to remove working incandescent bulbs.
COMPATIBILITY - ARE CFLS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MY LIGHTING NEEDS?
QUESTION 6 - Can I replace all of my incandescents with CFLs?
There are different types of CFLs to suit most common applications in households.
The Australian Government expects that new CFLs will be developed to suit less common applications.
In special situations where a CFL is not available, special-purpose incandescent lights will still be available.
This may include oven lights, bathroom heat lamps, and medical lights.
QUESTION 7 - What about my halogen lights?
Better quality halogen lights will continue to be available, but halogen lights that use too much energy will be phased out.
QUESTION 8 - Will CFLs work with dimmer switches?
There are CFLs available which are dimmable, however they may not work well with all existing dimmer controls. The Government expects that dimmable CFLs will become available as the phase-out progresses.
QUESTION 9 - Can CFLs be used with movement sensors, sunset switches, and timers?
Most of the technology used in movement sensors and other switches work with CFLs.
QUESTION 10 - Do I need to change the wiring in my house to accommodate CFLs?
No. CFLs come in a variety of styles to fit most household light fittings.
Halogen 'down lights' will continue to be available until an efficient replacement is available.
QUESTION 11 - What about street lights?
Most street lights do not use incandescent technology, so the phase-out will not affect them.
Governments are also working with industry to reduce the amount of energy used by street lights.
QUESTION 12 - Will the phase-out affect touch lamps?
No. These types of lights should continue to work the same with CFLs.
PRODUCT QUALITY
QUESTION 13 - Isn't the light that comes from a CFL a funny colour?
In the past, the variety of CFL colours available was limited, and most were a 'cold blue' colour.
CFLs now come in a range of colours from the original 'cold blue' to the traditional 'warm white' of incandescent lights.
'Warm white' CFLs are especially suitable for activities such as reading.
QUESTION 14 - I've tried CFLs before and they didn't work very well? Why would I want to change?
Using CFLs saves energy and reduces our greenhouse gas emissions - this is good for the environment.
In the past, some poor quality CFLs were sold.
However, at the same time as the government moves to phase-out incandescent bulbs new standards for CFLs will be introduced to make sure only good quality CFLs are sold.
CFLs are now available in a wide range of colours and styles to suit most applications.
QUESTION 15 - Does frequent switching reduce the life of CFLs?
There is a common misconception that more energy is used to switch a fluorescent lamp on and off than to leave it on when you leave a room - this is not the case.
CFLs are designed for domestic use including normal switching cycles - switching lights on and off when you enter and exit a room. Lifetime claims made by manufacturers take switching into consideration.
At the same time as the Government moves to phase-out incandescent light bulbs, new standards for CFLs will also be introduced to ensure that only good quality CFLs are available. The standards will cover quality characteristics such as lifetime, efficacy, power factor and mercury content.
QUESTION 16 - Can CFLs interfere with other electronic devices?
Yes, but it's rare. CFLs like all other electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields and also emit light in the infrared range, which can occasionally affect other electronic devices. If this occurs it can be fixed by moving the device away from the bulb or putting something between the device and the bulb such as a lampshade.
COST
QUESTION 17 - What is this going to cost me?
CFLs are cheaper to run, so you will find that they will pay for themselves very quickly. In areas where lights are used a lot, savings from reduced electricity bills will cover the initial purchase cost in a few months.
CFLs may cost about $5 more per lamp when you first buy them, but you will save this money through reduced energy use.
QUESTION 18 - Will low income households like pensioners be compensated for the additional cost of the CFLs?
CFLs are cheaper to run, everyone will make significant savings on their electricity bills, so there is no need to compensate consumers.
QUESTION 19 - What's the impact on the lighting industry in Australia?
There is solid support from industry for the incandescent phase-out. Australia imports all the incandescent light bulbs used - there is no domestic manufacturing of this product.
Lighting importers already have access to competitive alternatives and will have plenty of time to change to alternative supplies.
GREENHOUSE BENEFITS
QUESTION 20 - Does it take more energy to make CFLs than to make incandescent bulbs?
Yes, however CFLs use much less energy to operate.
Over the entire life of the bulb, a CFL uses much less energy than an incandescent bulb.
QUESTION 21 - What is the total greenhouse benefit of the phase-out?
It is expected that phasing-out incandescent light bulbs will reduce Australia's greenhouse emissions by 4 million tonnes annually by 2015.
This is roughly the same as taking 1 million cars off the road or planting 4 million new trees a year.
QUESTION 22 - If you're getting rid of inefficient lights, what about other energy inefficient products?
Australia already has minimum energy standards that have improved the energy efficiency of a range of appliances. This includes air conditioners, refrigerators and hot water heaters.
The new standards for lighting will complement these already existing standards.
More information: www.energyrating.gov.au
HEALTH CONCERNS
QUESTION 23 - Some people have complained about the potential health effects of fluorescent light 'flicker'. What is this and is it serious?
Fluorescent lamps flash on and off very quickly, with CFLs flickering at a rate of more than 20,000 times per second and linear fluorescent tubes at more than 100 times per second. This rate of flickering is generally not visible by the human eye.
If your fluorescent lamp has a noticeable flicker it is likely to be faulty and should be replaced.
QUESTION 24 - Are CFLs safe to use for people with light sensitivity conditions?
CFLs generate a very similar amount of ultra-violet light to incandescent lamps. One UK study found that UV light levels from unfiltered CFLs ranged between 50 and 140 microwatts per lumen while several incandescent bulbs exceeded 100 microwatts per lumen.
No fluorescent lighting technology presents anywhere near the high levels of UV danger to light sensitive persons that sunlight presents. A recent study in the US found that UV exposure from sitting under typical office fluorescent lights for eight continuous hours is equivalent to just over one minute of sun exposure (Lytle et al An Estimation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk from Ultraviolet Radiation Emitted by Fluorescent Lamps Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed (1993)).
As with replacement issues (refer 'Compatibility section, Q6) special exemptions are likely to apply for people with specific medical conditions.
QUESTION 25 - Do CFLs contain mercury and is this a problem?
Energy saving CFLs do contain small amounts of mercury, an essential component in their operation.
The Australian Government in consultation with the lighting industry is currently developing standards for mercury content in CFLs - these standards are likely to align with European levels at 5 milligrams per bulb (this amount would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen).
Leading firms in the lighting industry now produce compact fluorescent lamps with mercury content as low as 2 milligrams.
Research conducted in the USA and Europe shows that on a lifecycle basis, individual CFLs are responsible for releasing less mercury into the environment than incandescent light bulbs. Mercury is a byproduct of coal-fired power generation, and since CFLs use much less electricity than an incandescent light bulb and last longer, they are responsible for less mercury pollution.
DISPOSING OF A BROKEN OR USED CFL
QUESTION 26 - How do I dispose of a CFL if it breaks?
Although the mercury content of CFLs is small, every product containing mercury must be handled with care.
Lighting manufacturers typically recommend that if a CFL breaks you should follow some simple, safe precautions.
Open nearby windows and doors to ventilate the room for at least 15 minutes. Use disposable gloves and using a disposable brush sweep up the broken bulb (Do not use a vacuum cleaner, because this could trap or spread the mercury through the house.) Then use a moist paper towel to wipe up any remaining fragments. Wrap the pieces in newspaper, and seal them with the gloves, brush and paper towel in a plastic bag for safe disposal in your general waste bin (not recycling bin).
More information about correct disposal of these light bulbs: www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/lamp-mercury.html
QUESTION 27 - What should I do with a CFL at the end of its life?
The Department of the Environment and Water Resources is working with state and territory governments through the Environment Protection and Heritage Council to investigate end-of-life issues associated with CFLs.
Recycling is one option being considered. Several Australian states have household chemical collection programmes or drop-off points for recycling. Other states are considering the introduction of similar schemes.
More information: www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/lamp-mercury.html or contact your state environment agency.
Energy saving tips
More information about energy efficient lighting:
- Good ideas about lighting - Global Warming Cool it
- Lighting - Your Home Design Guide
- Public lighting - guide for local government
Energy efficient lights
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