More glow, less dough
Home » Blog » Annabel McAleer » More glow, less doughLightbulbs are dead. Long live lightbulbs!
Confused about the proposed laws on lightbulbs? EECA has come to the rescue with a new fact sheet. In short, no bulbs are 'banned', but new performance standards will ensure you get more glow for your dough.
On top of that, new subsidies for energy-saving halogen lights and LEDs mean you won't have to stick big twirly bulbs in your nice modern light fittings.
Here are the edited highlights:
What is a Minimum Energy Performance Standard?
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) are designed to remove the least energy efficient products from the market. Products that do not meet the set standard cannot be sold in New Zealand. MEPS have been used for some time on products such as fridges, heat pumps and hot water cylinders.
Removing the least efficient products from the market is expected to create cumulative energy and environmental savings of nearly $500 million by 2020.
Will I still be able to buy traditional light bulbs from October 2009?
Not for long. Once a standard is introduced, no new stocks of traditional inefficient light bulbs would be able to be put on shelves for sale. You would only be able to buy them until existing stocks are sold out. EECA expects that it would take around 12–16 weeks for existing stock to be sold.
Will it be illegal to import incandescent lamps?
No. The introduction of a Minimum Energy Performance Standard would mean that inefficient light bulbs could be brought into the country, but could no longer be sold.
Will it apply to all traditional light bulbs?
The proposed MEPS on traditional incandescent bulbs is mainly intended to target the type of bulbs used for common household lighting because efficient, affordable alternatives already exist. Less common types of incandescent bulb would not fall under the scope of a MEPS until viable alternatives become readily available.
“Appliance lamps” (for example those used in fridges) “special purpose lamps” (such as those used for entertainment lighting) and “automotive lamps” are expressly excluded from the MEPS.
Will I have to replace all my light bulbs once the MEPS come into effect?
No. The MEPS is intended to stop the product being sold, but does not affect those already in use.
Will I have to use CFLs in place of traditional light bulbs?
Only if you want to. There are other efficient lighting alternatives you can also choose from if you don’t want to use CFLs, such as energy saver halogens, fluorescent tubes and LEDs.
A new range of energy saver halogen bulbs look just like traditional light bulbs but are around 30% more efficient and last around twice as long. They can be used as a direct replacement for traditional light bulbs.
CFLs are more cost-effective over the life of the bulb because they use around 80% less energy and last around eight to 10 times as long as standard bulbs. CFLs have come a long way over the last couple of years and are now available in a range of shapes, sizes, colours and fittings and can be used in a wider range of applications. Some of the newer ones can be used with dimmers and in down lights.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lamps are relatively expensive to buy but have an extremely long life and are even more efficient than CFLs. They are good for guidance and effects—like hallway strip-lighting or outdoors—but they are not yet generally suitable for overall room lighting.
What sort of light bulbs will I be able to use in dimmable lights?
New energy saver halogen bulbs can be used as a direct replacement for traditional light bulbs in dimmable circuits.
A new generation of CFLs coming onto the market are compatible with dimmers—so if you want to use CFLs with your dimmers, check the box before you buy to make sure you’re getting the right sort.
Do efficient light bulbs cost more?
Yes, but they work out cheaper in the long run. Each CFL can save around $17.50 in energy costs per year (based on 3 hours’ use per day).
The Electricity Commission is also subsidising a range of efficient light bulbs—see www.energywise.govt.nz for a list.
If you want to stay informed, contact the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority on 0800 358 676 or email regs@eeca.govt.nz.
