Type of light bulb

Date participating retailers will stop selling them.

75 -100W A-shaped

January 2009

60W A-shaped

January 2010

40W A-shaped

January 2011

60W Golfball/Candle shaped

January 2011

Stage  Date

Main Objective

(1) 1st September 2009

Clear lamps equivalent to 100W incandescent lamps, or above,must be minimum C class.

Non-clear (frosted / pearl) lamps must be minimum A-class.

Introduction of functionality requirements on lamps.

(2) 1st September 2010

Phase-out of 75 W clear incandescent lamps.

Introduction of information requirements.

(3) 1st September 2011

Phase-out of 60 W clear incandescent lamps.

(4) 1st September 2012

Phase out of all remaining clear incandescent lamps (i.e. 40W and 25W).

(5) 1st September 2013

Enhanced functionality requirements.

(6) 1st September 2016

Raising the minimum level to B class for clear retrofit lamps

(i.e. Phasing out C-class retrofit halogen lamps).

• Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): these are the most common energy saving light bulbs and come in stick shape, candle shape, small or medium screw and bayonet fittings. Although they are efficient at saving energy, there are issues with regards to disposing of these CFL bulbs because they contain Mercury that can damage the environment. These bulbs tend to be dull when first switched on take time to warm up to their full brightness.

• Energy Saving Halogen Bulbs: a good option if you have halogen lights in your home. They consume around 30% less electricity than standard halogen bulbs.

• LED Lights: these have progressed rapidly in recent years and can now be used to replace existing halogen spotlights. Although quite expensive to purchase in comparison to buying a halogen or a CFL bulb, they have great benefits. LED’s on average have 10 times longer life expectancy and at a fraction of the cost to run means you can make great savings on your electricity bill over a long period of time.
• Comparison running costs of a LED and Halogen