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Energy-saving light bulbs save money and the environment
03/09/09
On September 1st, the European Union announced a mandatory scheme to phase out the use of incandescent light bulbs by 2011 - but many home owners have already switched to energy-saving bulbs because they offer both financial and environmental benefits, an expert has said. Tom Gribbin, senior campaign manager of international climate change charity Together, said supermarket chain Tesco sold more energy-saving light bulbs during January than it did in the whole of 2006.
He added that residential property owners can cut their electricity bills by around £50 a year by switching to energy-saving bulbs.
"It's a win-win, not only for the consumer but [also] for the environment too, as it reduces people's carbon footprint," Mr Gribbin said.
Since January, the government and the Energy Saving Trust have been running a voluntary scheme that has seen most major UK retailers replace their stocks of 75-watt and over bulbs with energy-saving versions.
From next year, the scheme will expand to include bulbs over 60 watts.
