Casting Light On The Truth
The EC, the government, environmental groups, the Energy Saving Trust, in fact any person with a membership card for the green brigade has been preaching the benefits of energy saving light bulbs. We have constantly been told of the need to change; they save money; last longer than traditional tungsten lamps and will save the planet, its never ending. Its almost been an evangelical journey to the point where those who do not swap their shiny 100 watt bulbs for the modern equivalent that looks like a poorly inspired bit of modern art are looked down upon as if they are hardened criminals.
Anyone who have been involved in designing, installing or maintaining lighting will tell you that fluorescent lamps have two problems; their working life is significantly reduced if they are frequently switched on and off; and the light output slowly reduces over time. In locations where these lamps are left on for long periods such as in offices, shops and other public places they can achieve life spans of many times that of the tungsten lamp. In areas where they are frequently turned off and on their life span can be reduced to a, not very impressive, life that is the same as a tungsten lamp.
Now research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology has confirmed what many of us have known for a long time, compact florescent lamps, the most common type of energy saving lamp, suffer the same problems as their bigger cousins. Manufacturers also often over state the equivalent level of output and the usable life of these lamps. Its time the EC introduced stringent standards and controls along with their plans to ban the sale of all traditional tungsten lamps and were more honest about the actual savings that can be made.
