Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common queries about energy saving bulbs.

Don’t energy saving bulbs only come in a couple of fittings?

Not these days. Just like standard bulbs, energy saving bulbs can be found in a variety of fittings, shapes and sizes, and there are now even halogen and dimmable versions available. More information about the range of energy efficient light bulbs (Energy Saving Trust website).

Doesn’t switching lights on and off use more energy than leaving them running?

No, switching on an energy saving bulb only uses the same amount of power as leaving it on for a minute or two. While if you’re still using traditional bulbs, switch them off every time you leave a room empty.

In the UK alone, we waste an incredible £140 million a year by leaving lights on unnecessarily.

Don’t energy saving light bulbs take a long time to light up?

No, most modern energy saving bulbs take little more than a few seconds to warm up to full brightness.

Producing an energy saving bulb uses more energy than making a traditional bulb, so doesn’t that make it inefficient?

No, because the energy saved by the bulb over its lifetime far outweighs the extra energy consumed in its manufacture.

Don’t traditional bulbs give a better quality of light?

For technical reasons, the glass used to house energy saving light bulbs has to be opaque – not totally transparent, so shouldn’t be directly compared to clear traditional bulbs. Compare an energy saving bulb with a soft tone bulb however, and you won’t see any difference.

Are halogen bulbs more efficient than traditional bulbs?

Yes, but they are not as energy efficient as normal energy saving bulbs.

Lots of my lights have dimmer switches. Can I fit them with energy saving bulbs?

The majority of energy saving bulbs will not work with dimmer switch circuits at the moment. A standard dimmer switch will simply make the bulb flicker. The Osram Dulx El Dim is currently the only fully dimmable energy saving bulb, however more should be available later this year.

Is the government really going to ban traditional bulbs?

It has been proposed that traditional bulbs should be voluntarily phased out between now and 2011. This will give manufacturers and retailers enough time to develop additional products to take their place.

Don’t energy saving bulbs contain mercury which is bad for the environment?

An energy saving bulb contains only the tiniest traces of mercury. Longer term, energy-saving bulb technology will actually ensure less mercury pollutes the air. This is because burning fossil fuels is the biggest source of air borne mercury, and as energy saving bulbs use 80 per cent less electricity than traditional bulbs, less mercury overall will be produced.