The History of Light Bans and Ones to Come

The History of Light Bans and Ones to Come

The regulation and banning of specific lighting technologies is driven by energy efficiency and concerns for the environment.

When did the incandescent bulb ban start?

The incandescent ban was the first to be implemented as these bulbs are inefficient and most of the energy consumed is released as heat and only a small amount as light.

In 2005 Brazil and Venezuela were the first countries to begin the phasing out of incandescents, followed by Australia in 2007 and finally The European Union (EU) in September 2009.

The replacements for the incandescent bulbs are CFL’s (now being phased out) and LED’s

Why are halogen heaters banned in the UK?

The ban on halogen bulbs was included in the ban on incandescent bulbs.  The UK legislation focuses on halogen heaters as they are an inefficient heating source.

Halogen heaters are inefficient when used for heating an entire room compared to central heating systems.  The regulations have been brought in to eliminate the least efficient heating products from the market.

The newer more modern heating technologies are infrared panel heaters or convection heaters.

Are fluorescent tubes being banned in the UK?

Yes fluorescent tubes are being phased out in the UK and EU, this is due to their energy efficiency and the presence of mercury.

While fluorescent tubes are more efficient than incandescents they are still significantly less efficient compared to the LED versions.

The phase out dates for the UK and EU is September 2023 for the sale of T8 fluorescent tubes and CFL’s and February 2024 for the T5 tubes and circular fluorescents.  

This move makes LED lighting the standard now for all new installations in both commercial and domestic settings.

The Future of Light Bans: Moving Beyond Efficiency.

These bans were enforced to reduce energy waste and eliminate hazardous materials.  Future regulations are likely to focus on even greater energy saving features  such as integrated daylight and occupancy sensors to ensure that lights are only on when necessary.

In summary the ban of certain light bulbs is a successful example of governmental policy and it has shifted the market towards more energy efficient and safer LED technology.