BSRIA brands low energy lamps policy “misguided"

The consultancy and testing organisation believes that a wholesale switch to CFLs will not maintain or improve the quality of electric light in homes nor lead to long-term energy savings. The organisation also calls on government to issue more informative guidance to householders on the appropriate use of CFLs.

BSRIA says that not enough attention has been paid to lifecycle and performance issues. CFLs are low-pressure lamps which take time to warm up. “CFLs are therefore not appropriate in domestic situations where instant light is required,” explained BSRIA’s Richard Forster. “Tungsten filament lamps fulfil the requirements better.”

The waste generated by compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which contain lead and mercury, poses another problem. Tungsten lamps contain no environmentally harmful materials.

Although CFLs can be more energy efficient than tungsten halogen lamps, BSRIA says that Ofgem is not doing enough to persuade the electricity supply industry to change its billing practices so that savings from CFLs become apparent to householders.

“Changing to CFLs can reduce electricity consumption by 75-80%, which is a clear economic advantage,” said Richard Forster. “However, the initial cost of the lamp is 10-20 times more than the humble light bulb. Supporters of CFL technology argue that break-even costs can be achieved in about 12 months. However, the savings are rarely apparent. This is because UK electricity bills do not show savings from lighting. Electricity bills are not only quarterly, but also mostly estimated and therefore inaccurate. All electricity use from lighting, and cleaning, cooking and entertainment devices are lumped together.”

GLS lamps are subject to strict British Standards (BS EN 60064:1996), but there is no equivalent standard for CFLs. “The performance standard BS EN 600969:1993 only sets down methodology for testing and does not create a standard range or minimum performance values. Consequently it is necessary to rely on the information provided by individual manufacturers,” said Forster.