There have been many changes in the regulations for the manufacture of lamps (light bulbs) in recent years. This is to conserve energy. You will have heard and seen a small amount of information about this in the media. Unfortunately, much of this information has been confused and some of it downright misleading. The changes which most effect the average consumer are:
a. The discontinuation of some wattages in GLS (ordinary lightbulbs) and some decorative lamps (mostly 200,150,100 watts). More are to go.
b. The discontinuation of all diffusing lamp finishes e.g. opal and pearl. No consideration has been made for those who suffer visual discomfort or from glare. Basically, only clear finishes are still available.
c. The introduction of the CFL (compact fluorescent) lamp – often referred to as the low-energy or long-life lamp. These are the ones you can buy very cheaply in supermarkets, etc. However, they are not as environmentally friendly as they are cracked up to be and lose a good deal of their efficiency in a year or so. They are are also difficult to dispose of and are not dimmable or usable with PIRs or digital timers.
d. LEDs are the great hope for the future but have yet to be developed to a point where they are useful for general domestic lighting. Where they do exist, they are very expensive and there is some worry about their safety. Glare in particular can be a problem.
e. Osram have developed a range of Halogen replacement lamps which they call the Energy Saver series. They are more efficient than ordinary incandescent lamp but, being halogen lamps, they are fully dimmable and behave just like the light bulbs they are replacing. They are only available in clear. They are the best alternative to the older fashioned lamps.
Retailers are allowed to sell traditional incandescent lamps if they are already in stock or are in the EU supply chain. However, many of these traditional incandescent light bulbs are now in short supply – or even impossible to source.
We still have a number of these light bulbs in stock although supplies are limited so telephone now if you require any of the following:
Bent tip candles, frosted or clear in 25, 40 and 60 watts.
Standard candles, opal or clear in 25, 40 and 60 watts.
GLS (standard incandescent) bulbs in 25, 40, 60, 100 and 150 watts.
Golfballs, opal or clear in 25, 40 and 60 watts.
Sold in multiples. Most caps (BC, ES, SES) are available