Lights Out For Traditional Bulbs

After serving as the primary source of artificial light for over a century, the energy-guzzling incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison are being replaced globally by alternatives, such as compact fluorescent bulbs and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The phase-out in the European Union, started in 2009 with a ban on 100-watt bulbs, will now see the demise of the 60-watt bulbs from Sept. 1, followed by 40-watt and 25-watt bulbs in 2012. The change is aimed at helping the EU reach its targets on energy efficiency and climate protection.

Also benefitting is the LED industry, with global revenues from the LED market seen at almost €65 billion by 2020, half the total lighting market revenues at that time, according to McKinsey & Co.

Unlike 2009, when consumers went out bulk-buying traditional bulbs, they seem little bothered this time around. Both the slow phase-out and increasing environmental awareness seem to contribute to this attitude.

According to a survey by German research firm Forsa on behalf of lighting company Osram, a unit of Siemens, only about one in five Germans is aware the next step of the ban is about to go into effect. The survey also showed one in three Germans has already begun using new bulbs exclusively, encouraged by the gradual phase-out and after some retailers, such as IKEA, stopped selling the old-style bulbs altogether last year.

While consumer and social welfare organizations have criticized the new bulbs’ higher price, the quality of light and danger of mercury pollution, supporters say it’s the old bulbs that hurt the environment since they use more electricity. At ten times the lifespan, the new bulbs are also good for consumers’ pocketbooks.

“Both consumers and the environment will benefit from an increased usage of energy-saving light bulbs,” European Consumers’ Organization BEUC said, as the new bulbs use up to 80% less energy, saving about EUR166 on an average household’s yearly electricity bill.

The BEUC said the transition won’t be without challenges, as consumers have to learn, for example, which bulbs are suitable for which lamps, and how to dispose of bulbs that contain mercury.

Still, incandescent light remains close to some consumers’ hearts. Earlier this month the director of Europe’s Roncalli Circus, Bernhard Paul, told an Austrian magazine: “I bought all (old version) models I could get hold of in Germany because chains of lights are an essential part of a circus. We should not run out of them before I turn 100,” Paul said, adding that “the EU jumped the gun because the LED lamps are not as good as regular light bulbs. The new models lack the color spectrum red. What is supposed to be red looks grey with them – a horrible situation for a circus.”

(Wall Street Journal, by Neetha Mahadevan, 09/01/2011)