Did you know that the Government have announced plans to remove all fluorescent lamps from shelves, as of September 2023?
For many years, fluorescent bulbs have been the go-to lighting option for homes and businesses across the country. Cheap to buy and more energy efficient than its previous main competitor, incandescent lighting, fluorescent bulbs became one of the nation’s favourite lighting choices.
As the UK continue to follow the EU RoHS Directive, the global benchmark for reducing toxic substances in electronics, it has been announced that due to fluorescent lightbulbs containing the harmful substance mercury, fluorescent lamps will be prohibited from being placed on the market from February 2023.
Along with the new rules issued by the RoHS Directive, comes advice for businesses to plan their full migration to LED lighting. Not only will it become pretty impossible to get your hands on fluorescent lamps in the near future, but there are actually huge benefits to LEDs that all businesses should seriously consider. Let’s get into it…
Why Choose LEDs Over Fluorescent Bulbs?
First of all, they’re not harmful! LEDs have no real health risks, whereas damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys and immune system can all be caused by exposure to the high level of mercury fluorescent lighting could emit. And if released into the environment, the mercury can enter the food chain where it can bio-accumulate, predominantly in fish.
This leads us on to our next point; LEDs are so much better for the environment than fluorescent bulbs, and not just because they don’t contain mercury. CFLs create 1,051 lbs. of COs emissions per year, whereas their LED alternative creates only 451 lbs. of CO2 per year. A huge difference, boosting your CSR credentials and just simply making a big impact to the planet!
And of course, the main seller for business owners, the tremendous savings you could make from using LEDs instead of CFLs! LED light bulbs use around 3 times less electricity than CFL bulbs, resulting in 3 times less carbon dioxide and 3 times less usage on the electricity bill. Despite being a larger initial investment, you won’t need to replace LED bulbs anywhere near as often as you’d need to with fluorescent bulbs. The average LED bulb lasts approximately 50,000 hours while only consuming 6-8 watts, compared to fluorescent lights which last for only 8,000 hours and consume a much bigger 13-15 watts. So, with CFLs using more energy in a much shorter lifespan, LEDs make the clear winner.
So, with the looming ban and the undeniable benefits of LEDS, maybe now is the time to make the switch. We can help you go green, and do your bit for the planet, by installing energy efficient LED lighting options in your domestic, commercial or industrial property. Get in touch for a free, no obligation quote!