Lights out for ‘classic’ bulbs

Households are set to stockpile traditional incandescent light bulbs as production officially comes to an end in the coming weeks.

Irish light bulb maker, Solus, will end production of their incandescent bulbs next month in line with an EU directive passed in 2009 to phase in greener, energy-saving alternatives.

The regulations have been introduced over six stages in the last three years with the brighter bulbs of 100 watts and over, frosted and the least energy efficient bulbs the first to go.

All remaining lower wattage clear glass bulbs have been banned progressively between September 2009 and September 2012.

Solus managing director Mark Corrigan said they would stop making all incandescent bulbs next month and switch to halogen bulbs. However, he said shops can sell off their stocks of traditional bulbs.

“The ban is on production, there is no effect on retailers,” said Mr Corrigan, whose company employs more than 80 people and makes eight million bulbs a year.

“We will stop making incandescent bulbs at the end of August. We have introduced the Halogen Energy Saver which looks similar but is Class C and saves 30% electricity and complies with the EU directive.”

Lighting represents up to a fifth of a household’s electricity consumption while research shows replacing three 100 watt incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for three hours per day, can save the average household up to €43 per annum.