HARDWARE stores across the region are reporting a rush at the tills as customers flock to buy their final stocks of 100 watt bulbs.
A European Union-wide ban on the import and manufacture of the 100 watt and frosted bulbs came in yesterday as they are phased out in favour of energy efficient ones.
The new Compact Fluorescent Lamps are said to use up to 80 per cent less electricity and are expected to save householders up to £39-a-year in energy bills.
But Greater Manchester's hardware retailers have experienced a huge rush on traditional varieties as customers stockpile the old-style bulbs, which many consider brighter and more aesthetically pleasing than new ones.
Rush
Evelyn Yaffe, of Yaffe's hardware store, on Park Hill, Prestwich, said: "There's been a rush for a few months now and we're definitely seeing stocks going down. We've been ordering extra stocks and we'll keep getting them in until the supplier runs out but they're going very fast. People have bought 10 or 20 at a time. One lady bought 60 candle bulbs.
"A lot of customers are trying to hang on to the old ones as long as they can and complaining because the energy saving ones don't fit into their lights, aren't as bright and don't look as good but unfortunately we have no choice anymore."
Traditional 100 watt bulbs have been lighting up homes for 120 years. John Simpson, of Jack's DIY Centre, Sale, has ordered in six times more bulbs than normal to meet demand at the Hope Road store. He said: "In the last couple of weeks we've more or less cleared out of 100 watt, 60 watt and candle bulbs. Some people have bought 30 or 40 at a time which will last them a year or two. A lot are reluctant to change as the new ones aren't as aesthetically pleasing.
Concerns
"We're getting more bulbs in from the supplier while we can but I think by Christmas they'll be all gone. We don't normally sell any bulbs over the summer but as it's been publicised over the past couple of weeks sales have rocketed."
But Sakina Patra, at AA Plumbing and Electrical, on Bolton Road, Worsley, said their trade has not really been affected. She said: "A few people have specifically asked for the bulbs but I think a lot of people have already moved on to energy saving ones in preparation."
The ban has triggered concern from campaigners that the new energy efficient types can cause migraines and health problems and exacerbate skin complaints.
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Showing comments 1 to 21 and replies | View All
Audenshaw Bob (02/09/2009 at 08:49)
I also tend to have lights on in every room so scrapping 100 watt bulbs won't help me any man like me. It is short sighted to just scrap 100 watt bulbs.
It's like banning 4x4's. I have a 4x4 that I have had for six years. I do 1000 miles a year maximum. My nighbour is a right-on green mercahnt who criticises me for my beastly 4x4. He has a 1.8ltr VW and does 46,000 miles per year and changes his car every two years. Which person causes the most pollution? Not me, but all he sees is a 4x4 and I am now the devil incarnate.
Andanotherthing, Mcr (02/09/2009 at 09:24)
Mark smith (02/09/2009 at 09:30)
Mikes friend Trevor who lives in the bin, The Young Ones House (02/09/2009 at 09:51)
dessie, manchester (02/09/2009 at 09:51)
Horatio Dogsbody, Flixton (02/09/2009 at 10:51)
Ignore carbon footprint - that to me is something which the chimney sweep left on the carpet. Think electricity bill.
Most of the fixed lighting in my house is either low-energy bulbs or fluorescent strip lights. I have replaced two of the older type low-energy bulbs in six years and four tubes and starters in twenty years. The old incandescent bulbs barely lasted a year - I used to write the date on them when I changed them, I seemed to use so many!
The low-energy bulbs have a colder light and so appear to be dimmer than their direct equivalents, so I just use the next size up, which is usually more than bright enough. Where a fitting had a 40W bulb, instead of directly replacing it with an 8W low-energy bulb I used an 11W one instead - equivalent to a traditional 60W bulb. The fitting above where I am typing is rated for 60W maximum (for heat considerations) but I am using a compact spiral tube low energy bulb rated at 20W (100W equivalent) without any problems and the light quality is quite satisfactory. The days of long narrow bulbs poking out of traditional fittings have gone - modern spirals are smaller than traditional bulbs and will fit almost anywhere.
Local authorities have a duty to provide facilities for recycling and that includes light bulbs. There is a company in Trafford Park doing good business reclaiming the mercury from used flourescent strip lights and I'm sure the process can be modified to deal with compact low-energy bulbs. Ignore the mercury red herring and think of one's duty to recycle.
Now, how about a low-energy replacement for the 500W halogen PIR floodlights which illuminate the neighbourhood's cats every night?
RT, UK (02/09/2009 at 12:14)
There is of course so much variance in output and shape, it is not surprising that
there is an anti feeling. As one 100 watt bulb is the same as another (whatever the brand).
I have been using low energy bulbs for years. You soon get to know how to select the ones
that suit you or the rooms needing one. It is not just about low energy, it is also about
the inefficiently of bulbs as we know them.
Sarcastion Nastyface (02/09/2009 at 12:16)
Still, it's always amusing when something scientific, engineering-related, or otherwise technical comes up for comment here on the MEN news website.
Sam Anderson (02/09/2009 at 12:42)
Pushkin (02/09/2009 at 12:46)
PW, Manchester (02/09/2009 at 12:47)
Mr Angry, Bury (02/09/2009 at 14:37)
C.O. Jones (02/09/2009 at 15:11)
Or perhaps more to do with interpretation (more like misinterpretation). Some years ago, The Sun ran a headline (so the Mail probably got spun up about it also) about the Bureaucrats in Brussels wishing to ban the Great British Banger. "Hands off our Bangers!" or words to that effect, went the headlines..
What the EU were actually looking to introduce was legislation to ensure that a sausage actually contained meat, I think it was something like 60% minimum meat content, rather than the hoofs, lips and a**holes that actually make up the majority of the dirt cheap fluorescent pink bangers of which you can get 20 for a quid in Kerry Katona's mums favourite shop..
I for one welcome that sort of legislation. Mind you, the first company to market one of the new bulb’s that actually works in dimmer switches will absolutely smash it!
Hot Dog, Stateside (02/09/2009 at 15:15)
Im in full agreement with you our electric bill has gone down by around a quarter since we used these new bulbs we started suing them around four years ago because we were fed up of large electric bills we were so impressed by how much our bills came down we purchased a new washing machine and freezer which have nerlly paid for themselves.People who whinge about the lights being dull and take ages to get warmed up must be using the free ones that you get from british gas or some other utilitiy company.What they should do is go and buy the new light bulbs and buy the larger wattage ones that warm up immedietly.We have these lamps even in the glow effect in our fireplace.To all those people who moan about these new bulbs.."MOVE ON ITS NEW TECHNOLOGY" Candles and the old incadescent lights are outdated.
lebist, blackley (02/09/2009 at 17:12)
Is It Me? (02/09/2009 at 18:45)
d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (03/09/2009 at 00:28)
replacements for the 500watt PIR type lamps are available now from ebay / B&Q.
They cost about £10 and use 24 watts rather than the 500 and save about 95% of the running cost
Colonel DeBugger, In your computer (03/09/2009 at 07:37)
Sarcastion Nastyface (03/09/2009 at 12:34)
Ok, the colour rendition of CFLs isn't that good in the red part of the spectrum, because the spectrum of CFLs in the red consists basically of a very few, very narrow peaks, rather than the desirable flat(-tish) and continuous spectrum that the Sun and incandescent bulbs have, but the problem isn't that bad, to me at least.
Give the choice between using CFLs and paying for 100W bulbs to be on in some rooms all day, well, I've made my decision; I did it years ago.
The only thing I'm worried about is that this staged ban (progressing until completion in 2012, as I understand it) might eventually forbid sale of the 40W SES bulbs that my lava lamp uses. Trying to mandate fitting energy-saving bulbs in lava lamps would be so stupid that... Oh dear; these are governments making these laws. Yeah, expect that to happen, then.
Peekster, Prestwich (03/09/2009 at 13:23)
del lec (27/04/2010 at 18:51)
I used to change one regular bulb a week if that with CFL its 7 or more , and often there not a week old , total waste of time money and resources .
I like a bright light in my house , so as i wont be able to get 100 watts , i put 125 watt florescent s in each room i need so now i using more than 100 watts , to get light intensity i want what a waste .
only consolation for me my lights cost little to run as i installed Solar Photovoltaic cells, or solar cells .these i think would be more of a way forward .