The 1st of September 2009 saw the beginning of the end of the traditional incandescent bulb. A 100 watt or higher bulb cannot be manufactured anymore, but they can still be sold. Under new EU legislation the incandescent light bulb is being phased out over a period of years. 150 watt bulbs went some time ago but it's passing did not invoke such furor as the ending of the 100 watt version, perhaps because not that many people used a 150 watt bulb. Along with the 100 watt and above all frosted bulbs of any rating are also banned, and by 2012 ALL incandescent bulbs will not be allowed into the EU.
So why the outcry?
We are used to cheap, instant light and the main alternative, compact fluorescent lamps, do not (yet), offer these. But was there an outcry when 4 star petrol was banned (probably, I'm too young to remember), but are we bothered now? Was there a problem when laws governing the use of child booster seats in cars was changed? Kind of; there was a little grumbling but we all understand that it is better for our kids so we have forgotten and moved on. So yes CFL light bulbs do cost more and they don't give full instant light, but once you have changed to them and realised the benefits after time you will wonder what the problem was all about.
Traditional Lamp Phaseout Timetable
2009 - 100W (A-shaped)
2010 - 60W (A-Shaped)
2011 - 40W / 25W (GLS A-shaped, candle, golfball)
We have no choice, we will have to change from the traditional incandescent bulbs to either CFL's or LED's, and it probably is a good idea, even if we don't like it. But the manufacturers are making big inroads into their light output and quality and very soon we won't remember any upset about this new legislation.
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