Energy saving light bulbs: Your light bulb concerns answered Energy saving light bulb myths and rumours
We address your questions on possible health impacts of energy-saving light bulbs, whether low-energy lamps are as bright as traditional bulbs and how to dispose of them safely.
Do energy-saving light bulbs cause cancer?
Traditional light bulbs are being phased out and replaced with energy-saving bulbs
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued a warning in October 2008 about some energy-saving light bulbs emitting higher levels of UV radiation than guidelines suggest is safe.
It suggests, as a precaution, that spiral and tube-type energy-saving light bulbs shouldn’t be used for more than one hour a day when people are less than 30cm away from the bulb – for example, on a desk lamp. Instead, consumers should switch to globe-style bulbs, or move the lamp further away.
The HPA is keen to point out that energy-saving light bulbs will not cause skin cancer. Sitting very close to a light bulb that emits more than the recommended amount of UV light has similar effects to going outside on a sunny day – so some caution is recommended. But there’s no need to panic and replace energy-saving light bulbs with energy-guzzling incandescent ones.
Do energy-saving bulbs cause migraines?
Some migraine support groups, such as the Migraine Action Association, have raised this as a concern.
The Department of Health has said in response: 'The Department is aware of concern from migraine support groups that the use of some energy-saving light bulbs could potentially affect migraine sufferers. We are continuing to work with clinicians and support groups regarding the nature and extent of any reported health effects, and bring influence to bear where appropriate.'
The Department said that using those shapes of bulb which have more than one outer surface - so avoiding stick-shaped bulbs - can lessen the risks for migraine sufferers.
Can energy-saving light bulbs trigger epilepsy?
The charity Epilepsy Action has some anecdotal reports from members who believe ill-effects such as headaches and dizziness have been caused by energy-saving light bulbs.
It has said: 'Epilepsy Action is not aware of any evidence that low-energy light bulbs can directly trigger epileptic seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. However, we have been contacted by a number of people with epilepsy who believe that energy-saving light bulbs have impacted on their condition.
'We are not able to quantify how many people with epilepsy are affected by these bulbs or say definitively how energy-saving light bulbs may affect people with epilepsy. We are asking the government to confirm that ordinary light bulbs will still be available for people with epilepsy, should they have concerns about the use of energy-efficient light bulbs and their epilepsy. We will continue to monitor the situation.'
Do energy-saving light bulbs cause radio-interference?
Any radio interference is only likely if your radio aerial is placed very close to an energy-saving light bulb – on a bedside table close to a bedside lamp, for example. Over short distances, energy-saving light bulbs can cause radio interference (a buzz) on medium wave (MW) and long wave (LW) reception and interfere with remote controls for TVs and stereos.
Why do energy-saving light bulbs cost so much?
Energy-saving light bulbs can be found in some shops for as little as 50p.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs - the most common type of energy-saving light bulb) have dropped in price with the phase-out of incandescent bulbs. Newer types of energy-saving light bulb, such as LEDs, are more expensive, but claim a very long lifetime.
Unsolicited free energy-saving light bulb mail-outs have been stopped by the government, but still keep a look out for good deals on low-energy light bulbs in shops and buy-one-get-one-free offers. Don’t forget, energy-saving light bulbs will save you money on electricity costs in the long run.
Don't energy-saving light bulbs contain mercury?
They do, but only a small amount. CFL-type bulbs have around 5mg of it and this is why they should be recycled and not thrown out with the general rubbish.
Mercury is dangerous, especially to pregnant women, so if a bulb is smashed then as a precaution the HPA advises the following:
- leave the room to ventilate for 15 minutes
- clean up with rubber gloves and sticky tape (for carpets) or stiff cardboard (for hard surfaces) rather than a vacuum cleaner
- place all fragments, powder and debris into a bag while trying to avoid inhaling dust
- recycle that bag rather than throwing it in the rubbish.
How can I dispose of used energy-saving light bulbs?
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The mercury content in an average CFL is no more than 5 milligrams – and would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen – but it's still a hazardous material. So used energy-saving light bulbs should be disposed of responsibly rather than thrown in your household bin. Our interactive recycling tool shows you how to dispose of different types of light bulbs.
Robert Dyas, Homebase and Ikea offer recycling points in its stores and accepts all energy-saving light bulbs for recycling.
250 of the larger Sainsbury’s stores have CFL (and battery) recycling points – type your postcode into the Recolight website to find those nearest to you.
Currys has a similar scheme in place – check whether CFL recycling is available at your local store before taking in your used bulb.
Do energy-saving light bulbs last as long as they claim to?
Energy-saving light bulbs are switched on and off to see if they burn out or fade
Most energy-saving light bulbs last as long as they claim (or longer). Our extensive lifetime tests confirm that a few energy-saving light bulbs don’t meet their claims and light output can dim over time. Opt for lamps scoring four stars or more for lifetime in our energy-saving light bulbs review to find the longest-lasting bulbs.
Do energy-saving light bulbs struggle to brighten quickly when first switched on?
We check light output when bulbs are first turned on and then at intervals to ensure measured light output compared to the claim on the package.
Some Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) take a few seconds to achieve 60% light output. Halogen lamps produce instant light but don’t last as long as CFLs.
Will switching energy-saving light bulbs on and off frequently wear them out?
Switching any light bulb (energy-saving or incandescent) on and off repeatedly can reduce its lifetime.
We test for this by switching energy-saving light bulbs on and off in cycles 30,000 times. This is equivalent of five years' use.
Our Best Buy energy-saving light bulbs score five stars in this test. See our review of energy-saving light bulbs to find out which light bulbs we recommend.
Do energy-saving light bulbs give off as much light as they claim to?
In our tests, low-energy light bulbs are turned on for 5,000 hours
A common complaint about early energy-saving light bulbs was that they overstated their light output, however this is no longer the case. Most of the energy-saving light bulbs in our test produced light output close to, or matching, manufacturers claim.
Can I use energy-saving light bulbs in cold areas?
This is one area where energy-saving light bulbs don’t perform as well as incandescent bulbs. In our review of energy-saving light bulbs, we test the performance of the light bulbs at both 5ºC and -10ºC.
Colder temperatures tend to slow the time that CFLs take to produce full light output. So, if you need light in colder areas quickly – in a garage, for instance – you may want to steer clear of using CFLs.
Does the heat emitted by traditional incandescent light bulbs help heat my home?
Incandescent light bulbs convert some of the electric current that powers them to light, but much is wasted as heat. This will heat the part of room the light is in, but it’s not the most efficient way to heat your home.
Light bulbs are often positioned on the ceiling where heat isn’t required, and very few will be best-placed to heat the part of the room you’re using. Also, this heat will always be output whenever the light is switched on, even during warm weather when it's not required.
