Consumers stockpile old light bulbs as phased ban begins

A PHASED ban on old-fashioned light bulbs began all over the European Union yesterday in a bid to save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

But despite claims the move could save households up to €166 a year in electricity costs, many consumers were reported to be stockpiling the bulbs.

At present the ban covers 100 watt and frosted incandescent bulbs, but will be extended to cover all incandescent bulbs by 2012. Incandescent lights have been in use for more than a hundred years and use a tiny filament that generates heat as well as light.