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What’s wrong with traditional light bulbs?

Traditional light bulbs, which haven't changed for over a hundred years, are very inefficient at converting electricity to light. They waste 95 per cent of the electricity they use in creating heat.

This wasted energy adds to your carbon footprint. That means that reducing the energy you use to light your home will not only save you money but also help save the planet.

To help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, the most inefficient bulbs are being removed from the market. This will happen over a number of years as follows:

• 1st September 2009 - 100W bulbs, frosted or pearl should be at least A rated
• 1st September 2010 - 75W
• 1st September 2011 - 60W
• 1st September 2012 - all remaining clear traditional bulbs will be withdrawn

• Light bulb phase-out plan - Defra Opens new window

Save money with energy saving light bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs are also known as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They fit into standard light fittings and use up to 80 per cent less electricity when turning energy into light, compared with standard bulbs.

CFLs can last around 10 times longer than a normal light bulb. They could save you up to £25 a year if you fit them throughout your house. Look for the energy label to find the most efficient light bulb for your needs.

You could also use halogen or LEDs as other alternatives to CFLs.

Halogen and LED light bulbs

Halogen bulbs are not as efficient as CFLs and do not last as long. However, they still use between 25 and 40 per cent less energy than traditional light bulbs.

In the future, lighting based on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) promises to be a good alternative to CFLs.

The Energy Saving Trust has a downloadable leaflet which explains the options for energy efficient light bulbs.

• Energy efficient light bulb leaflet from the Energy Saving Trust Opens new window

How to recycle energy saving light bulbs

Energy saving bulbs contain a small amount of mercury – just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. This is needed to generate light efficiently. The mercury can’t escape from a light bulb when it is being used, but you must be careful of how you recycle them.

You shouldn't throw CFL bulbs into the normal rubbish or your household recycling bins, as the mercury could escape if the bulb gets broken.

In most parts of the UK, CFL bulbs can be recycled at your local waste and recycling centre. You can find your nearest recycling centre by contacting your local council.

To find out more about mercury in light bulbs, visit the Defra website.

• Find your nearest waste and recycling centre Opens new window

• Defra information on mercury in CFL bulbs Opens new window

How to deal with a broken CFL bulb

Accidental breakage is unlikely to cause any harm. All the same it's good practice to reduce your exposure to mercury, and minimise the risk of cuts from broken glass.

If you break a CFL bulb at home, you should open the windows for 15 minutes and leave the room to air. Broken light bulbs should be carefully gathered up with kitchen paper (not a brush, or vacuum cleaner), using rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Wipe the area with a damp cloth afterwards, and put the broken pieces of glass and the cloth into a plastic bag and seal it.

You must not throw the bag in your normal household rubbish, but take it to your local waste and recycling centre.

Are energy saving light bulbs safe?

All energy saving bulbs are safe to be used in the home. However, some people may be affected by the ultra violet (UV) light the bulbs give off if they use these lights:

• at close range
• for over an hour at a time

People with some types of light sensitive conditions can also be affected by CFLs. You can find more details of these health risks in a report on the European Commission (EC) website.

More details of the safety advice for CFLs can be found at the Health protection Agency (HPA) website.

• CFL safety advice from the HPA Opens new window

• CFL health risks report Opens new window

How to choose the right strength and colour light bulb

Choosing the right kind of light bulb will depend on what strength and type of light you want.

Light bulb strength

The strength of incandescent light bulbs used to be measured in wattage, but wattage is not as relevant as light bulbs become more energy efficient. Wattage is still included on packaging for easy comparison, but it is being phased out and replaced with the number of lumens. A lumen is a measure of light; a higher number means a brighter light.

The lumen equivalents of incandescent bulbs are:

• 100W incandescent bulb = 1,300-1,400 lumens
• 75W incandescent bulb = 920-970 lumens
• 60W incandescent bulb = 700-750 lumens
• 40W incandescent bulb = 410-430 lumens
• 25W incandescent bulb = 220-230 lumens

Light bulb colour

Different light colours can be used for different things. For example, you might prefer a ‘warm white’ light for relaxing and a more powerful ‘cold white’ light for work spaces. These light qualities are measured in Kelvins and can be found on light bulb packaging.

For softer, warmer lighting, look for a 2,700K light bulb. For work spaces, a colder, brighter 4,000k would be better.

How long will a CFL light bulb last?

The lifetime of a light bulb means the number of hours most light bulbs of that type will work before dying. Light bulbs that are on all the time will die faster than those used less often.

The lifetime also depends on the number of times a light is switched on and off. Standard CFLs can last for up to 3,000-6,000 on/off switches. They should ideally not be used when lights are switched on and off a lot, as this will affect the lifetime of the bulb. There are CFLs that can last up to 1 million switches that should be used in these cases.

More useful links

• Energy Saving Trust - light bulbs and dimmer switches Opens new window

• European Commission information on energy saving light bulbs Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Environment and Greener Living contacts